Lamont's campaign taking off

[riona]

http://www.democrats.com/node/8396
Ned Lamont's Challenge to Joe Lieberman Catches Fire

Submitted by Bob Fertik on April 1, 2006 - 12:53pm.2006 Races | Joe Lieberman
I had the great pleasure of meeting Ned Lamont on Friday when he came to New York City seeking the support of Democrats in his primary against Joe Lieberman.
All available evidence indicates Lamont's campaign is taking off like a rocket, while Lieberman's campaign is sinking like a stone. This was clear to everyone Thursday night at the Connecticut Democratic Party dinner, when the audience of party leaders actually booed Lieberman!
Campaign manager Tom Swann said he had told his staff to expect a bad night for Lamont; he jokingly warned it would be like hunting with Dick Cheney. But Swann was astonished at the party's open hostility towards Lieberman. And later than evening, a veteran political reporter told Swann he had never seen anything like it in his whole career.

[saltpoint]

1. Sounds encouraging for Lamont. This is in the hands of

Connecticut primary voters, but a lot of the rest of us will be watching to see what happens.

I'm not sure how Lamont will campaign and where his emphases lie, but I don't think Lieberman can easily surmount criticism of his support for Bush's war when nationally, even in some red states, the majority view is that Bush's war is a failure.

Lamont could be a very big headline the morning after that primary.

[ninkasi]

2. I agree, and think another possible factor

is that we see Holy Joe fawning over Bush way, way too much. He doesn't just support the war, he seems to support Bush. It is simply appalling to me that Lieberman is quoted by Repukes when he is supporting Bush, and putting down members of the Democratic Party. He seems to share more of their ideals than ours.

[saltpoint]

3. Good point. Yes. That kiss Joe planted on Dubya's neck during the

walk-up for the State-of-the-Union Address was a bit much for me.

Not the kissing part, but the Republican part. :)

[Zimmy44]

4. New Yorkers can hold Clinton accountable, too

because Jonathan Tasini,a progressive, anti-war, pro-censure and impeachment Dem, is challenging her in the primary, just like Lamont is challenging Lieberman. Both Clinton and Lieberman support the continuation of the war- let's show them what happens when you ignore the opinions of your constituents and Dem values!

[bemildred]

5. No, no, they'll never beat Joe, he's go so much money ....

:rofl::rofl:

[Donna Zen]

6. The good, the bad and the ugly

Over his career, Joe Lieberman has done some very good things. His consistent stand on early civil rights and women's issues are to be commended. While never a liberal and barely moderate at times, on many votes that had liberal support, he was there.

Nevertheless, Lieberman has also supported policy that favored the insurance industry over the people. I would label this bad, but in reality, he represents a state where the insurance industry holds sway. So we might label these positions as understandably bad. Of course, it is Lieberman's recent history that drives our opposition. Lieberman has been a huge promoter and apologist for this war, and by doing so, has thwarted any Democratic unity of message in criticizing bush. This is bad. While noone must toe the party line, actively undermining the party is very, very bad. He has offered the republicans a stick with which to beat us. Yes, there are other war-supporters among the Dems, but none that goes so out of his way to hurt the anti-war Dems. And quite frankly, we were right and Lieberman was/is wrong. Look at the results...look at the country.

So, while the spectacle of this bruising battle makes me slightly uncomfortable, it is exactly what should happen in primaries. It is why we have elections. No senator or representative has a life appointment; it just seems that they do. Why? Furthermore, let the defeat of Lieberman act as clear symbol of what happens when a representative of the people fails to use good judgment when representing the people. So where's the ugly?

The ugly is when the political becomes personal. That is what bothers me about the booing. That is what bothers me when I see name calling and associated smears.

Democracy can be beautiful, and if Lamont wins the nomination that will be because of beautiful democracy. I hope that we can opt for the beauty and reject the ugly.

[killerbush]

7. The only thing Lamont will be taking off

Is time after the November elections. He'll have plenty of time to try to figure out why he lost to Lieberman by 30 points, while Lieberman will be back in the Senate, making the country better. Ned, your 15 minutes of fame are just about over.