If Joe Lieberman, who is the lead Democrat on the negotiations on tonight’s DADT vote in the Senate, actually manages to get enough Republican votes to clear the procedural hurdle (surprise, closure vote) that DADT can actually pass, does that rehabilitate his image with the progressive community?

TPM is reporting the Susan Collins (R-ME) is wobbling towards coming on board.  Scott Brown (R-MA) is reportedly on board.  Lisa Markowski (R-AK) is reportedly signaling she may come on board if the debate is open enough to amendments. 

Granted, there’s a big “if” attached to these Republicans, and Collins has a habit of flirting but not committing with the Democrats on key votes.

The news has broke that Reid is cancelling tonight’s planned DADT vote to give Lieberman more time to work a deal out with Collins.