And so it begins.

Crooks & Liars has the scoop...

A check from Hillary Clinton’s HILLPAC is being cut to Ned Lamont for five thousand dollars. She’s the first one to be counted on and make good on her promise to support the winner of the Connecticut primary...

 Hillary coming out of the gate early seems particularly important to me, because I think she's more likely than most to have the kind of impact on Lieberman that could get him out of this thing once and for all. Having the Big Dog show up at Lamont's next public appearance might seal the deal on a Lieberman withdrawl.

Update: And so it goes...

Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh -- who, like Lieberman, has close ties to moderates within the party but is considering a 2008 presidential bid -- quickly announced he would support Lamont.