NYT: Lieberman Says He's Ready for Democratic Primary Battle

[sabra]

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/23/nyregion/23lieberman.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1148394027-lsKWelCTjf1FT4+W5xw8NA

Lieberman Says He's Ready for Democratic Primary Battle

ROCKY HILL, Conn., May 22 — Facing his first serious primary challenge in 18 years, Senator Joseph I. Lieberman of Connecticut on Monday declared himself "ready for this fight" and repeatedly sought to align himself with what he called voter anger at the federal government.

"People are really worried about their jobs and their retirement security and so am I, for them, with them," Senator Lieberman told reporters in his first public comments since State Democratic Party delegates voted at their convention Friday night to force an August primary between him and a wealthy businessman with little political experience.

Mr. Lieberman, who lately has been under fire from some Democrats, said: "I'm worried about what it costs to buy health insurance. I'm angry, with the people of Connecticut, about what it costs to fill up your tank with gasoline or heat your home during the winter months. They're upset, I understand, about the failure to see more success in Iraq, and I share those concerns with them."

The senator's support for the war in Iraq has been at the center of the campaign of Ned Lamont, a cable television executive from Greenwich. On Friday, Mr. Lamont, who has won support from liberal bloggers nationwide and local Democratic activists, surprised many people by winning a third of 1,509 delegates. On Monday, as both campaigns were repositioning for the summer sprint to the Aug. 8 primary, several political experts warned against drawing conclusions about Mr. Lamont's prospects from the convention vote, just as they also said Senator Lieberman would be mistaken to overlook his showing.

[Theres-a]

1. Whistling past the graveyard

Holy Joe?

[saigon68]

19. JOEMENTUM LIMPMANN

[Demeter]

26. And Tap-Dancing!

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. From what I've heard

this will be the first time in a long time that Holy Joe has been interested in what his constituents think.

[redqueen]

3. "upset with the failure to see more success in Iraq"?

Interesting wording...

[CTLawGuy]

4. only in his mind

is that the issue.

[xchrom]

6. infuriating! that wording says it all.

all teh success in the world would do nothing to change the fact that this was an illegal war -- an invasion -- an invasion of barbaric, savage proportion -- and he says ''upset with the failure to see more success in iraq''.

now i don't put it past the american people to be bribed with either money or a successful illegal military misadventure -- but that is not the reality at hand -- and that wording displays an obstinancy that borders on the vicious -- if it doesn't altogether cross the line.

[redqueen]

8. "an obstinancy that borders on the vicious"...

I like that...

I suppose our candidates are expected to 'soften' their messages for maximum appeal to moderates? I guess that's why this kind of equivocation about the unnecessary, illegal invasion and subsequent loss of life is so popular.

[xchrom]

11. you know that's what drives me crazy -- in this -- what do i call it --

the modern corporate era, i guess -- there are NO MODERATES.

a moderate is what -- a mccain, someone from the dlc or what?

if americans do not embrace a new paradigm -- then our democracy really is gone.

but our money, bread, and circuses make it hard for anyone to feel the danger.

[redqueen]

13. I find it hard not to suspect it's a lie.

IMO they're using "moderate" in place of "clueless". Seems like they like the clueless, and they don't want to offend them.

Better to annoy those that are paying attention, than risk attracting any more attention from those "moderate" people who are still busy enjoying the bread and circuses.

[xchrom]

14. redqueen -- when you're right -- you're right.

[reprobate]

31. In reality, the money is about gone, and the bread and circuses of

our TV networks, while admittedly diverting attention from the real world, will be of little help in keeping the people from seeing they their money will be buying little in the way of goods as inflation rises.

There's nothing entertaining about filling your car's tank anymore. The problem of energy costs is infiltrating the entire economy and that will generate more anger. It'll be hard for American Idle to cheer them up when there's no food on the table.

I think it's hard to be a moderate in a time when most of the power reflects nothing so much as our own American brand of fascism. This is not a time for moderation. It is a time to restore balance so that the human once again has some intrinsic worth. Then you can have moderates. Until then they just get in the way.

[cliss]

17. Yes, good point.

"failure to see more success in Iraq"?

How about Success in Iraq?

[Skink]

5. Can a democrat win in Conneticut.

[Orsino]

7. Joe-nertia! n/t

[madinmaryland]

9. JoeMentum is at it again!

[KittyWampus]

10. Apparently he's ready to become Independant if he loses. If he actually

said that... seems like an ideal advert for his opponent.

[saltpoint]

12. The elves are whispering that Ned Lamont will win that primary.

[PassingFair]

15. Snap, Crackle, Pop!

I hope they're right!

[saltpoint]

16. Hi, Passing Fair. O they are! These are damned reliable elves.

And they bake a mean batch of cookies, too!

[aden_nak]

18. He really has no idea. Just no concept at all.

No one likes him. Liberals don't like him because he's a sell out. Conservatives don't like him because he's a Democrat, he ran with Gore (and in certain segments of the Conservative movement, because he's Jewish). Moderates don't like him because he personifies what is WRONG with Moderate candidates. He has no backbone and no strength. Like most Democrats, he doesn't understand that Moderates don't want to elect Moderate candidates. They want discrete direction. They want to elect whichever candidate shares more of their views, and whichever they feel is a more competant leader. They certainly don't want a washed up whelterweight like Joe Lieberman, who, as a Democrat, wouldn't even be able to carry his own North-Eastern state.

[trebor007]

20. I Compare Lieberman With Senator Nelson ...

of Nebraska. Nelson has actually voted with the Democratic Party far less often than Lieberman. Lieberman's voting records is not too different from Ted Kennedy. Neverthless, Nelson who presesnts a very red state does not question the motives or patriotism of other Democrats. When asked about liberal viewpoints he'll usually say something like, "I have to reflect the views of my constitiuents but I appreciate my party's big tent." Lieberman who represents an ultra blue state appeared regularly on Sean Hannity's show. He's been condescending towards the motives and values of progressives in his party.

I respect Lieberman's life. In the '60s he risked his life to register black voters in the deep south. Make no mistake about it, a Jewish person in those years was absolutely risking his life by doing that. I wonder how many of today's liberals who bash Lieberman would've done the same. So, I do respect the man. But he continues to show bad judgment on Iraq. Lieberman is also more responsible for the debacle known as the Department of Homeland Security than any other politician in Washington. Good man. Bad senator. Time for him to go.

http://www.intrepidliberaljournal.blogspot.com

[TankLV]

30. Exactly - he may have been good at one time in the distant past - but now

its BADLY time for him to go.

Go write his memoirs or something.

His actions in recent years are INEXCUSABLE.

[Lithos]

33. Very articulate

One of the best discussions I've seen about Sen. Lieberman.

Welcome to DU!

:hi:

[Seattleman]

21. He is untrustworthy!

Joe is untrustworthy. The only reason he is saying the things that he is saying now is as an attempt to deceive the voters.

He has no personal concern about any these things, his retirement is assured, he doesn't feel the pince at the pump, and his health care benefits are among the best in the world.

He is a liar.

[IndianaGreen]

22. Notice how the NY Times underplays the anger at Lieberman

afterall, the NY Times supports the war as much as Lieberman does. Why should they put their boy in a bad light?

[Seattleman]

25. Terrific point

Absolutely correct. I have long maintained that the media bias is a very complicated thing. You have to look beyond the surface to fully understand the issue.

[depakid]

23. "...align himself with what he called voter anger?"

LOL.

Man, is that guy out of touch. He needs a long vacation, and maybe some therapy.

[Carni]

24. Well that makes him an army of 1

Does this asshole actually think he should bother?

Needless to say I will not support him-bush butt kissing FOOL

[Placebo]

27. Odds are Lieberman is going to win.

Sad but true.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

28. Not according to the Elves.

#12

[tom22]

29. I just would like to know if he will promise to support

the candidate of his party in November. that is my only question and I am a democrat and I will vote in the primary.

[genieroze]

32. Keep walking, LieberDINO.