POLITICS: Joe Lieberman Won't Run for Re-Election in 2012!

Joe Lieberman has decided not to run for re-election in 2012, a slew of media outlets are reporting. The Democrat-turned-independent will announce his plans tomorrow. A spokesman wouldn't confirm the decision to retire: "After many thoughtful conversations with family and friends over the last several months, Senator Lieberman made a decision about his future over the holidays which he plans to announce on Wednesday."

But everyone from the Huffington Post to the New York Times to the Washington Post are quoting Democratic sources as saying that Lieberman will not seek a fifth term. One big reason is that there's no guarantee that Lieberman, who lost the Democratic primary in 2006 only to win the general election as an independent, would win what promises to be a tough race. The hometown Hartford Courant isn't going quite as far as the other outlets, but it quotes an insider as saying "you can bet the farm" he won't run again.