Source: Top Lieberman Aide Quit In Protest

Joe Lieberman's legislative director Joe Goffman resigned yesterday in protest of his boss's support of John McCain, according to a former Lieberman staffer with knowledge of the situation.

Goffman's farewell email, posted here yesterday, suggested he had no new job waiting for him but gave no reason for his departure.

The resignation -- delivered to Lieberman in person upon his return from the GOP convention on Monday -- is only the latest in a half-dozen recent defections by top aides disaffected with Lieberman's party switch.

Other departed deputies include Fred Downey, Lieberman's long time foreign policy adviser, and two well-regarded legislative assistants, Colleen Shogan and Purva Rawal.

"Goffman is the biggest loss, he was really the guy who held the whole office together," said the former aide. "Goffman, like most of them, was very disturbed by Lieberman's behavior -- Lieberman hasn't consulted with any of them or told them what he planned to say... If you're a Democrat and you stay in Lieberman's office too long, there could be the perception that you are buying into his positions, so these poor guys are being put in a terrible spot."

Goffman and other Lieberman refugees are reportedly being assisted in job hunts by Democratic leadership staff.

Goffman didn't return calls for comment at his office or home.