New Joementum

Joe Lieberman makes plans to run as an independent, and Dems are in a quandary.

Senator Joseph I. Lieberman of Connecticut said on Monday that he would run as an independent Democratic candidate if he loses the state Democratic primary next month. The announcement by Mr. Lieberman, a political moderate and longtime party leader seeking his fourth term, underscores the increasing vulnerability he feels over his support for the Iraq war.

Reacting to a strong challenge from Ned Lamont, a wealthy businessman and political newcomer who has criticized him for supporting President Bush on the war and other issues, Senator Lieberman said that he would begin gathering the 7,500 petition signatures necessary to put his name on the ballot should he lose the primary on Aug. 8.

He said that even if elected as a petition candidate, he would remain "a proud Democrat" and would caucus with other Democratic senators. Still, the prospect that Mr. Lieberman may challenge his own party's nominee is a startling turn for the senator, who has spent his entire three decades in politics within the Democratic Party and ran as its vice-presidential nominee in 2000 alongside Al Gore.

The senator's announcement signaled his growing concern over Mr. Lamont's candidacy. Left-leaning Internet bloggers have marked Mr. Lieberman for defeat, drawing national attention and money for Mr. Lamont — and posing a difficult choice for Democratic leaders, who have vigorously backed Mr. Lieberman.

Personally, I think Ned Lamont is a political genius for his ability to ride anti-war fervor into the Billionaire Boys Club also known as the Democratic Senate Caucus.

FWIW, here are the Poole results for the 107th, 108th, and 109th Congresses.  Lieberman scores to the right of about two-thirds of the Senate Dems.  [The Captain picks up on this.

MORE:  Tim Blair goes to Madison Avenue - reviews of the first Kos/Lamont ad (described here), and a suggested re-write.  Too funny.

Comments

[Gary Maxwell]

I hear FDL is calling him Sore Loserman. Funny how when it was original they failed to see the humor.

[JM Hanes]

Quasiblog's 4th of July compendium of Quotes on Patriotism is up. Happy Independence Day to all!

[Dwilkers]

He said that even if elected as a petition candidate, he would remain "a proud Democrat" and would caucus with other Democratic senators.

Lieberman is loyal to a fault, you gotta give the guy that.

[Sue]

Unbelievable.

[Sue]

Dwilkers,

I would give them the middle finger after being treated the way they have treated him. And remember, they are the party that proudly proclaims 'free thinkers'. Of course, as long as you think the way they want you to think. Pfffftttt...

[Jane]

I bet he wins the nomination.

[Rick Ballard]

Thanks for the quote compendium, JMH. An interesting assemblage of many views.

Darleen's Place has a slightly different take. Heinlein took a rather practical view of patriotism.

[John Loki]

It sounds like a great opportunity for the GOP to pick up a Senate seat.

[lurker]

Let's help Leiberman and Irey. Hope Leiberman wins all the way.

[richard mcenroe]

Ned Lamont is one of Kos Bialystok's pet projects. In fact, one of the 'wins' Kos claims was getting Ned into the primary without having to put it to the vote of the Democratic electorate.

href="http://timblair.net/ee/index.php/weblog/comments/lament_lamont/"> Tim Blair has done a couple of columns on Ned's campaign prowess.

Maybe we should be encouraging him. It can only hurt the Democratic party.

[richard mcenroe]

Sorry, that first link should have been Tim Blair

[Specter]

G'morning all,

As many of you know, I am from CT. I have supported Lieberman in the past and will probably do so again. He is very middle of the road for a politician. His opponent in the Dem primary, Joe Lamont, has now opened his campaign up to three issues:

1. I don't like Bush so vote for me (Kerryite)
2. Joe Lieberman voted for and supports the war so vote for me.
3. We need Universal Health Care (government sponsored of course)

Of course DeStefano, who is running for Governor is running on UHC also - blaming Wal-Mart of course like a good democrat. Imagine how much it is going to cost all of us if people like Lamont get into office - just where is all that money going to come from? Like I need another hit to my pocket at the federal level. CT just raised gasoline tax - but not directly because the Democratic controlled legislature didn't want to be blamed for raising taxes. Instead they raised the tax on the distributors of oil products. Guess who pays anyways? 2-5 cents a gallon.

I think Lieberman will win the primary anyways. But if he doesn't, then it will split the Democratic party in the state and maybe a Republican could peek in the door. Even with that I think Lieberman will win. The AFL-CIO has already thrown their support his way.

[HeyNow]

Hey--just one minute, here.

Isn't Senator Lincoln Chaffee of Rhode Island also facing a tough primary race because he isn't Republican enough for quite a few members of his party?

Link.

[David]

No way the Republicans can pick this seat, they have no candidate.

[Rick Ballard]

I think I'll keep a score card for the Progressive Totalitaian wing of the Democratic Party. Right now I have:

Tester - MT
Brown - OH
Klobuchar - MN
Mfume - MD
Lamont - CT

as ProgTot approved. Lieberman, Cantwell, Casey and Clinton (to some extent) do not have the ProgTot seal of approval. In about 120 days we'll know the value of a ProgTot endorsement.

[lurker]

OT:

Lorie Byrd has some thoughts on patriotism.

Good idea, Ballard. Let's hope that the idea of ProgTot endorsement doesn't bode well.

[lurker]

You may want to check Sweetness & Light for the last few recent posts, especially about Cindy Sheehad.

This is what's making the democratic party look even worse.

And KKK was just granted a permit by the National Park Service to protest the Iraqi war at the Gettysburg park!!

[Gary Maxwell]

Rick

4 of those are going down. I will have to say that Montana and I are not really in touch so that I dont know about Tester. But he is taking on an incumbent in a nominally Red state. Rest are toast. One wont even get out of the primary.

[Barney Frank]

"Hey--just one minute, here.

Isn't Senator Lincoln Chaffee of Rhode Island also facing a tough primary race because he isn't Republican enough for quite a few members of his party?'

Yeah, so?
One difference might be that Lieberman is trying to drag the Dems back to what they used to be.
Chafee is trying to drag the Republicans where they've never been.
I happen to think the first is a good thing and the second bad.
Opinions may vary.

[Barney Frank]

Great link JMH,

As usual Mark Twain and GB Shaw are the funniest, GK Chesterton the truest and Jimmy Carter the stupidest.

[lurker]

OT:

Write a letter or email to your senators to protect the federal cross in San Diego.

[Davebo]

Personally, I think Ned Lamont is a political genius for his ability to ride anti-war fervor into the Billionaire Boys Club

Anti war fever? Well, it probably helps you to sleep at night to think of it as that. But there's a glaring discrepancy in that theory. What about all the other Dems who supported the war? Why aren't all of them facing tough primary challenges?

Answer? The war is but part of Joe's problems. His biggest problem is of course, the the pandemic that is sweeping the nation.

But hey, a guys gotta sleep right?

[topsecretk9]

Netwits...Joe will get more votes as an independent than a Democrat...more repubs in the state will cross over and vote for Joe with the big "D" erased

[topsecretk9]

BTW what will the net-wits do if this becomes a trend...dems in red states looking for a way to distance themselves from the fringe? (and the establishment Dems are witnessing their worst nightmare)

Not very good strategerey to take back the house !

[Tom Maguire]

But there's a glaring discrepancy in that theory. What about all the other Dems who supported the war? Why aren't all of them facing tough primary challenges?

I understand that it is important to the Nutroots to pretned that this is abount more than the war. However, you ought to advise Ned Lamont to update his website to get on-message:

Ned is running because he loves his country and is deeply concerned about its current direction. Like most Connecticut Democrats, and most Americans, he is tired of being represented by a senator who is not willing to stand up to the President—on the war and on the rest of his wrong headed judicial, fiscal, and environmental policies.

“As your senator I will put Connecticut first,” Ned said. “As I travel the state and talk to people, I’m hearing over and over that America is spending $250 million a day in Iraq while we are cutting aid to students and veterans’ benefits. This has got to change.”

...Building a successful business means getting things done … by listening to people, and finding innovative solutions to old problems.

“Every successful businessman knows that many of your best ideas come from your customers,” said Ned. “We are always looking for new and better ways to do things. We never reflexively ‘Stay the course’—especially when it’s plain it’s not working.”

While much of his frustration is rooted in his opposition to Bush’s war in Iraq, Ned believes the problems with the Bush administration cut across many issues. The war, however, fuels the problems at home by diverting critical resources and attention. Ned supports proposals by Congressman Murtha and Lawrence Korb for phasing out of America’s front-line involvement in Iraq.

“Our troops are making their country proud with their service,” said Ned. “But this war is not making us any safer. It’s time for US troops to move to the background and let the Iraqi people step forward and take responsibility for their own destiny.”

...What Ned will do for Connecticut

Ned believes that government must respect its citizens and tell them the truth. He will challenge the culture of “Inside the Beltway” corruption and demand that qualified people are appointed to critical government and public service positions.

The war, and Bush and Lieberman priorities, are cutting funds from programs that invest in our future. Student loans, Social Security, health care that everyone can afford – these are the issues that Ned will fight for, bringing a businessman’s ability to reach consensus without sacrificing the bottom line.

Ned will be a fresh voice in the Senate, working to build coalitions and accomplish change, and speaking out against the destructive Bush administration policies that directly threaten our moral and economic future, our civil liberties, and our nation’s security.

Take out the war and there is nothing there.

[Pisistratus]

"Take out the war and there is nothing there."

Just like the Bush administration.

[Gary Maxwell]

Careful TM you are going to hurt Davebo's feelings. You know its not fair fighting like that, I mean to stoop to using facts to back up your point. Why he will probably just slink back to Ballon Juice and post a couple of invective filled tirades about you now.

[lurker]

Nope.

Tax cuts

Ecomony booming

Drug reform (sorta)

I know there's more...

[Warmongering Lunatic]

When asked who they'd vote for in a 3-way race, CT voters say (approximately, varies a bit from poll to poll):

50% Lieberman (I)
20% Lamont (D)
20% Undecided
10% Alan Schlesinger (R)

So the Democrats can nominate him now, or lose to him in November.

[Other Tom]

"What about all the other Dems who supported the war? Why aren't all of them facing tough primary challenges?" Tell ya what, Davebo. Why don't you make us a list of all the incumbent Democratic senators up for re-election in 2006 who supported the war and continue to support it?

[topsecretk9]

This is all because of the SOTUS hug. That's it and only it.

The depth of this effort...Bush hugged Joe.

[Other Tom]

It appears that, in addition to Lieberman, there are a total of six incumbent Democrat senators who supported the war resolution in October, 2002 and are seeking re-election this year. Maria Cantwell of Washington continues to support the war, and is "facing a tough primary challenge." Two others (the Nelsons) are from Red States. Another is Hillary, who is, well, Hillary. Carper of Delaware voted to cut and run. Kohl of Wisconsin has criticized Bush savagely on the war. So much for whatever Davebo's point was supposed to be.

[SteveMG]

Does anyone other than our new friend Davebo believe that Lieberman would be facing opposition from the Left (Lamont et al.) if he openly opposed the war?

This is all about Iraq.

C'mon Davebo, let's get in the game.

SMG

[Gary Maxwell]

Other Tom

Falling in that trap of looking for logic and facts to support assertions again? Its so constraining. Just let your emotions run wild and say anything, but remember to repeat it ad nauseum. You too can be a liberal.

[PeterUK]

A Very Happy Fourth of July to my colonial cousins...now if you would just like to pay the back taxes,we will say no more about it.

[Gary Maxwell]

Peter

No back taxes but I am sure the tea is well steeped at this point in the Harbor. Come on over for a spot! While you are here, make sure you introduce yourself to a pint or two of Shiner Bock beer. The only beer brewed in Texas.

[lurker]

OT:

Discovery just started its T-9 hold.

[lurker]

Clock resumed and pray for a successful launch on Independence Day - Fitting for the best "Rockets glare" ever. Approaching another T-hold.

[richard mcenroe]

PeterUk — Well, you can send your navy (both of it, if Gordo Brown has his way) to try and collect...go ahead, blockade Massachusetts again (not a bad idea in principle).

[PeterUK]

Don't need to Richard,we can sue for the royalties on the use of the English language.

[Jane]

We don't really use the english language - well at least the way you do.

[richard mcenroe]

Jane — My company distributes a couple of books on Estuary English ("Dijja Wanna Say Sumfin'?") and 'Newspeak'... trust me, they don't either.

[PeterUK]

Ah underclassese,we have the copyright for that also.

[Lesley]

"An Englishman's way of speaking absolutely classifies him,
The moment he talks he makes some other
Englishman despise him.
One common language I'm afraid we'll never get.
Oh, why can't the English learn to set
A good example to people whose
English is painful to your ears?
The Scotch and the Irish leave you close to tears.
There even are places where English completely
disappears. In America, they haven't used it for years!"

PeterUK, sorry, no royalties for you because, according to Henry Higgens, we in America don't speak English. (It was too good to resist)

[Gary Maxwell]

Wasn't it Churchill who said "two countries separated by a common language."

[PeterUK]

Sorry Lesley,
I ran your post by our linguistics department, that was English.
Sorry the Democratic party is not in power,you can not therefore,base your case on a fictional character.

[lurker]

You're on a roll.

OT: Sweetness and Light discovered a few interesting things about Cindy Sheehan and her sister. Donja know that Cindy's son talks to his mother from the grave? Find out why from this site. Strange.

[Other Tom]

What is happening in Connecticut, and the poll results there, tell us a great deal about the Democratic party and next to nothing about the American electorate. Davebo's silence suggests that he is having trouble with the raw data; one can picture the furrows in the brow.

[PeterUK]

What is puzzling is why Kos himself is not treading the tried and tested route up the greasy pole of politics.Why didn't he get himself shot in the arse,drop a shell on some German teenager the run home and denounce the occupation of Germany?
Why is he loitering in the ether and hanging on the coat tails of some lumpen politico with the charisma of a coffin lid?

[richard mcenroe]

PeterUK — The money, the clout and the safety from prosectuion are all behind the throne. Kos Bialystok fancies himself one'a them greasy eminences...