One fact to consider if you're among those who believe that Joe Lieberman, the latest Democrat to enter the fray, is "too conservative" to win the Democratic nomination: Since 1984, the candidate who has raised the most money during the primary process has ended up being his party's standard-bearer every single time.

Three things make it likely that Lieberman will be that man in this cycle: (1) His recent VP campaign; (2) his proven ability to bring in "new money" from Jewish voters; and (3) his leadership position in the DLC, which is (among other things) a corporate fundraising machine.

That scenario, as the record shows, would not only make Joe Lieberman a credible candidate for his party's nomination -- it would make him the Democrat to beat in 2004.
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