(Bumped.) Read this AP summary, and tell me if you think this really sounds like a guy running in a Democratic primary:

''Washington has become much too partisan and that partisanship gets in the way of doing the job that you send us to do,'' Lieberman said.

Lieberman dismissed a question about whether he is taking a risk by boasting about his bipartisanship, especially with the Aug. 8 primary looming and Lamont gaining in the polls though still down by double digits.

''I'm telling the truth,'' he told reporters. ''Whether it's risky or not, I don't know.''

Brave, courageous Joe, sticking his neck out for the good name of "bipartisanship" (i.e. "agreeing 100% with Bush") at such dire political risk to himself. Actually, he's at zero political risk, considering he's pretty much said he will run as an Independent if he loses the Democratic nomination, and given that his base of support in Connecticut is overwhelmingly Republican, conservative, and pro-life. These are exactly the kind of voters he intends to court with statements like the above - voters who cannot vote for Joe in August. It is clear he wants no part of a Democratic primary.

But as long as Joe is running scared from any close race whatsoever, he might want to consider dropping out of the general election too, given the already tightening numbers in a possible three-way race that is sure to get even tighter (Rasmussen, trend from April):

Joseph Lieberman (Ind): 44% (-3)
Ned Lamont (Dem): 29% (+9)
Alan Schlesinger (Rep): 15% (-2)

As Howie suggests, maybe his best move now is to call up the White House and ask for Rummy's job again.