Hail The (Re)Conquering Hero!

From Captain's Quarters:

Guess who's the most popular belle at the Democratic ball in DC? None other than Joe Lieberman, who had to run as an independent after party activists defeated him in the primaries with neophyte Ned Lamont. After having to endorse Lieberman's opponent, and in some cases campaigning against their long-time colleague, Democrats now line up to shake his hand ... or kiss it:

“It was all very warm, lots of hugs, high-fives, that kind of stuff,” said Senator Ken Salazar of Colorado.

Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon marveled, “One senator after another kept coming up and shaking his hand.”

And Senator Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas noted, “I gave him a hug and a kiss.”

Mr. Lieberman received a standing ovation at a caucus luncheon after Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, who is poised to become the majority leader, declared, “We’re all family.”

I'm tempted to ask where exactly Lincoln kissed Lieberman, but at least symbolically, every Senate Democrat has their lips pursed and aimed directly at his nether regions. Why? Lieberman himself gave them reason this past weekend on Meet The Press when he told Tim Russert that he would stick with the Democrats ... for now.