It was not that the Dems abandoned Lieberman, but Lieberman abandoned his party. How should I count the ways? There have been so many.
Earth to Eric. The Democrat party that Lieberman started in was not what was that abandoned him. The money for your party
is coming from the far left but that does not count for the majority of the Demoncrats. If you want some background on it I would suggest reading:
A Deficit of Decency - By Zell Miller
or even better
A National Party No More - By Zell Miller

He's a self-centered and self-motivated one man carnival show who has the integrity of Dick Cheney and shouldn't be forgotten or forgiving for the big ole Bush kissorama on the Senate floor.
Funny you should mention that. I do seem to recall him stepping aside when Algore the treehugger asshole not only did not run after all but sided with another candidate abandoning Joe.