Once Senator Joe Lieberman was Senator Barack Obama's mentor and urged him to "reach for the stars." Then he fiercely campaigned against Obama alongside his close friend, Republican Senator John McCain. He lost his bet. Many a Democrat believed there was only one way out as far as Lieberman was concerned: heavy punishment by the Democratic Party. The President-elect ordered otherwise. Pepe Escobar More.. argues this is a political marriage of convenience. Less..