Connecticut U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman, an “independent Democrat,” today came to Las Vegas to campaign in favor of Republican John McCain, at Temple Beth Shalom in Summerlin. The Nevada Democrats greeted him in true Nevada Democrat fashion, which is to say, weakly. Here’s the statement:

(LAS VEGAS, Nev.) – State Democratic Chairman Sam Lieberman welcomed Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT) to Las Vegas this morning, but also took him to task on his argument for Sen. John McCain.

Senator Lieberman attended an event on McCain’s behalf this morning at Temple Beth Sholom in Western Las Vegas.

“I’m glad Sen. Lieberman is here in Nevada to see the drop in jobs, the halt of construction projects and the drop in the number of tourists on The Strip. Maybe he will see that Sen. McCain is wrong and out of touch when he says that the ‘fundamentals of our economy are strong,’” Sam Lieberman said.

“Nothing could be further from the truth when Sen. Lieberman argues that McCain is a maverick and an agent of change. McCain has voted with President Bush 90 percent of the time. McCain represents four more years exactly like the past eight: Nevadans fighting for their jobs, trying to avoid home foreclosure and worrying about the cost of medical care for their families. That is not the change we need.”

OK, OK, we like what you’ve done here. It’s a good start, really. But let us propose this slightly altered version for your consideration.

“Today, Sen. Joe Lieberman continued to campaign desperately for a cabinet position in a John McCain administration, mostly because he realizes that his future in the Senate is dark. Why? Because he’s a traitor to himself, his party, its principles and to the future of America. By advocating for McCain as president, Lieberman not only is asking Americans to risk their domestic tranquility at home, but also the futures of their sons and daughters abroad, unless he thinks McCain’s prediction of “more wars, my friends, more wars” was just Republican happy talk and future armies will be comprised of magical pixies and not miserable draftees.

“In taking the stage at the Republican National Convention earlier this month, Lieberman has shed whatever was left of his dignity after scratching and clawing his way back into the Senate once Connecticut Democrats figured out what we all know: Lieberman’s bloodlust has thrust him from the Democratic Party’s ranks, and they were glad to see him go.

“Lieberman laments the rabid partisanship in Washington, D.C., but he fails to realize that partisanship exists because ideas matter, and Republican ideas are wrong, nowhere moreso than in the sad legacy of a war begun with lies, a war that McCain seems bent on continuing.

“While Lieberman might think he’s bridging a gap between the parties, he’s too self-absorbed to notice that Democrats dislike him because he turned his back on them, and Republicans dislike him because he still holds to some vestigial Democratic ideas. He truly is a man without a country. But in the spirit of hospitality, we still would like to invite Lieberman to enjoy Las Vegas and be sure to make time to go fuck himself before he leaves. Thank you very much.”

Now, we realize our version is slightly harsher. But we think it’s better than the official version, which lacks a certain — what’s the word we’re searching for here? — ah, yes, ball-like quality. What our friends from south of the border might call, cojones? Hello? Anybody with us out there?