Lieberman’s Allies Blame the Bloggers

[CatWoman]

Lieberman’s Allies
Blame the Bloggers



By Joe Conason

The conventional narrative of what may become Joe Lieberman’s final campaign for public office—parroted faithfully by pundits and politicians who admire the Connecticut Senator—is a moving tale of courageous dissent in the very maw of fanatical extremism. It is the story of a supremely decent public servant, purged by party activists with a mean-spirited, shortsighted, single-issue obsession. And it is a fable with a familiar moral, supposedly proving once more that the Democratic Party cannot be trusted to protect America.

Compelling as this account of the beleaguered Democrat’s travails may sound, it is very much like his position on the war in Iraq: wrong, superficial and divorced from reality.

According to the standard version, Mr. Lieberman is the victim of ferocious “liberal bloggers” from around the country. Dispersed across the United States, these meddling left-wing activists somehow conspired to launch Ned Lamont’s primary challenge, and then somehow mesmerized voters, perhaps via the Internets, to reject the Senator they had chosen three times before. Combining Internet technology with progressive ideology, the miasmic and unwholesome blogosphere now threatens to swallow poor Joe in a cloud of angry, buzzing bytes.

So a New York Times columnist denounces the Lamont campaign as a “liberal inquisition.” A Fox News commentator cries out for the “soul of the Democratic Party and the future of civility in American politics.” A syndicated columnist clucks that the end is near for “anyone who is going against the grain with unpopular views, or telling the faithful what they need to hear as opposed to what they want to hear.” A Washington Post columnist warns that “as the party moves to the left now in this primary season, it moves away from positions that will be winning in general elections.” And a former lobbyist for the Christian Coalition, magically transformed into a Democratic strategist, mocks Lamont supporters as “McGovernites with modems.”

http://www.observer.com/20060731/20060731_Joe_Conason_politics_joeconason.asp

[LincolnMcGrath]

1. Why's Everybody Always Pickin' On Me ?

[CatWoman]

13. OMG -- That's TOO funny!!!!

Bad Lincoln!!!

Bad!!!

:rofl:

[stepnw1f]

2. awwwwwwwwww.... good riddance! (nt)

[SammyBlue]

32. Click the link for my response to this bullshit

CLICK HERE PLEASE

[Pacifist Patriot]

42. LOL! Loved it.

[BOSSHOG]

3. A faux commentator calls for civility??

That is a chuckle. But just how much more progressive is lamont compared to Lieberman? I just wished we had a real fight for lott's seat here in Mississippi.

"McGovernites with Modems" - what a nice complement especially coming from such a fine organization chock full of insane "christian" people.

[Cha]

4. OOOOOOH! It feels good to

be making a difference in getting bush enablers out of office! Excuse me while I'll go look for my tiny violin so I can play a few bars for LIE-man. :nopity:

Edit~ And just how do bloggers make such a difference out in the real world? By learning the real news and contributing and campaigning for whom they want? And not just who the media picks for them?

[Bluebear]

5. I have the second violin part...

:nopity:

[Cha]

7. Thanks! Maybe you can answer

the "edited" question I just added? :nopity:

[Capn Sunshine]

29. asked and answered , your honor

Your question contains the answer, Zidzi my old pal.
We're the same, whether we are online or off. We just got better organized.

And started doing things from the ground up, as opposed to the past. :hi:

[Cha]

35. Thanks, Capn!

:hi: It's the bloggers coming to life off the screen :scared:

[Seattleman]

45. The Power of the Internet

This is GREAT news!! For the first time in a very long time, perhaps in our nation's history, the people themselves are able to communicate with each other without being filtered or force-fed the information from an obviously corrupt media machine.

The Establishment is shakin'

[glitch]

59. They acknowledged the power by trying to kill net neutrality.

No way can they win on an even playing field, and they know it. No one wants what they're selling.
Welcome to DU btw!

[Seattleman]

61. I agree with you about the motives re: net neutrality

And thanks for the welcome.

[noamnety]

6. For the record

it wasn't bloggers or DU that made me distrust Lieberman. It was watching him being interviewed on tv during the 2004 campaign.

Just sitting in my living room, watching him speak, I had one of those gut level "no" moments.

[Cha]

8. Brilliant! I couldn't even

stand to watch him after the 2000 give in and give up thing.

[NewJeffCT]

9. Sounds like he took a page from my LTTE the other day

I had also accused Lieberman of being "divorced from reality" regarding Iraq.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=1715242

[Cha]

12. That's a stunning

letter! I'm so glad they printed it! It seems from what I've read on DU that the media in Connecticut isn't too thrilled with traitorjoe, either?

I saw where on local tv they showed Clinton campaigning for lieman and then they viewed when the lieman was calling for Clinton's censure and when he wouldn't call for it with bush.

I couldn't believe they actually making him accountable! See what corporate media has done to us?

[Bretttido]

18. Local Media is usually far better than national media from my experiences

[Cha]

27. I'm sure you're

right..I just haven't watched any tv news except The Daily Show for years.

[Bretttido]

28. You're not missing much! Be one of the Heroes and watch The Colbert Report

[Cha]

37. Too late for me..the Colbert

Report and I am getting rid of my cable(cutting corners), so I'll just have to catch up with them on DU.

And Colbert and Jon are Heroes :patriot: :patriot:..Cool that the real patriots use humor in this generation as opposed to Edward R Murrow's.

[NewJeffCT]

33. The CT media is surprisingly right-leaning, however

The Hartford Courant - far & away the biggest newspaper in the state - actually made national headlines when they endorsed Bill Clinton in either '92 or '96. It was the first or 2nd time they endorsed a Democrat since the days of Lincoln. Since that time, the Courant was acquired by the RW Tribune Company and has endorsed Bush the last 2 years. I wouldn't call them hard right wing like the Washington Times or NY Post, but definitely right of center.

The rest of the state newspapers - save one or two (the New London Day, I think) - are also owned by RW organizations.

[femmedem]

53. The Day is independently owned.

The Day's editorial staff and most of their own columnists are fairly progressive. Their own editorials routinely skewer Bush. However, they've taken a lot of heat from right wing readers, and perhaps as a result, run some of the worst nationally syndicated columnists.

[Seattleman]

47. Very important issue.

Years ago I attended an INDEPENDENT political event in Kansas City. There were thousands of AMERICAN citizens there who gathered together to promote good government from an Indpendent viewpoint. The local media did a very good job of reporting the event. They were very fair in their descriptions of the people who attended the event. However, as we looked at the media coverage from other parts of the country we noticed a very disturbing trend. The farther away from the event that the news originated from, the more unfair the reporting became. It was so bad, that at the National level, they did everything short of describing us as a bunch of skinheads and neo-nazis.

I am sure that if you were politically active at the time, and you did not have access to the local reporting that you were mislead by their efforts.

[Joanne98]

10. Joe Conason nailed it. K&R!

[Cha]

11. And just another

addendum..

Joe Conason is with on this..

Snips~
"Compelling as this account of the beleaguered Democrat’s travails may sound, it is very much like his position on the war in Iraq: wrong, superficial and divorced from reality."

"Unfortunately for Mr. Lieberman, he understands none of those things. He doesn’t comprehend that a war costing thousands of lives and hundreds of billions of dollars is not just a “single issue.” He doesn’t realize that repeating White House talking points about the war is not going to win him any votes this year. He has left the reality-based community for the never-land of neo-conservatism—and if he loses, that will be why."

[glitch]

60. The man can write. I would like him to have his own radio show as well

though. Even just a couple hours a week, like Ring of Fire.
Good talented guys like him need more exposure.

[Lautremont]

14. Not to mention the guy looks like a bag Spalding Gray used to be in.

Conason was too gentlemanly to mention that part, but I guess I'm not.

[asjr]

15. Those suck-up pundits and columnists

had better think again. It's the "liberal bloggers" who actually know what is going on and we are not afraid to voice our displeasure at our "lawmakers."

[Deep13]

16. You don't see Feingold smooching Bush.

It is the complete abandonment of his Senatorial duty in holding the executive accountable to the people and to the law when it comes to the so-called war on terror.

[The Witch]

17. Go see the latest FDL post:

http://www.firedoglake.com/2006/07/26/lieberman-parties-with-bubba-ignores-pleas-from-local-soldiers/

It is unbelievably devastating.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

48. Mr. Two Deferments.

Do I detect a theme?

:freak:

[Yavin4]

19. People with Modems Probably Don't Know Who McGovern Is

Just shows how severely out of touch Washington insiders are about the real world. They have to reach back for a 1972 reference to make their point.

BTW, McGovern is a WWII fighter pilot hero who was right all along about the Vietnam war and the economy. But we cannot let truth interfere with Beltway bloviating.

[Dr Fate]

23. Not to mention McGovern was right- and eventually the public caught up.

I suppose the former televangelist lobbyist turned "Democratic strategist" in question prefers Nixon. That comparison is indeed telling.

[wishlist]

20. He supported Bush's war and Halliburton during 2004 campaign not Dems

Conason has it right. Lieberman lost my support after I heard him on Imus MSNBC show during the 2004 campaign failing to voice any support for Dems but instead praising Halliburton in Iraq and defending the Bush Admin without one word of criticism for their handling of the war.

[autorank]

21. This wouldn't be the infamous "Osama bin bloggin" would it?

K&R Great article by Joe Conason. He's terrific. Thanks CatWoman

[Dr Fate]

22. Typical Republicans- everything is always someone elses fault.

n/t

[Mist]

24. FAUX shilling for Lieberman? That says it all. Joe's a ho. nt

[The Wizard]

25. Holy Joe

Never missed an opportunity to slam his own party in deference to our adversaries. If he gets funded by republican interests and repeats Republican talking points he's a Republican and should just say so rather than misleading his constituents. Bill Clinton's role will be to tell Joe it's over. And quite frankly, the I'm sorry I'm a Democrat whine is getting old. The United States immorally invaded and occupies a foreign nation. If Joe doesn't get that it's wrong he should consult with his Rabbi.

[Bretttido]

26. Waaaaaa! Those bloggers that only have power because there are

millions of them are messing up democracy... waaaaaaaa!! :cry:
Somebody call the :cry: waaambulance! :cry:

[Dr Fate]

30. I know- how dare them talk to each other like that! n/t

n/t

[connecticut yankee]

31. Joe has no one to blame but himself

Many of us in Connecticut have disliked him for years. He was elected in 1988 with the help of William F. Buckley, who with the help of other Conservatives, formed BuckPac to help Joe defeat the incumbent maverick Republican, Lowell Weicker.

I, together with many other Democrats, voted for Lowell. Actually, I have never voted for Joe, except for Vice-President, and then I had no choice.

And for those who keep insisting it's a "One Issue Campaign," it isn't.

It's also about Joe's positions on Health Care, Choice and Taxes. He's been one of Bush's biggest supporters, and in turn, has been called "Bush's Favorite Democrat."

He's appeared on Sean Hannity, who called him a "Great American."

His comment about hospitals that refused emergency contraception to rape victims was, "It's only a short ride to another hospital."

He voted against the filibuster on the confirmation of Justice Alito.

Now, the chickens are coming home to roost.

[Kathryn STone]

36. well if he's not one of us, kick him off the team

:nopity:

[L0oniX]

34. Lieberman = boring ...cul8r plow boy

When gravel voice Lieberman talks he sounds like he is pinching a loaf at the same time.
:nopity:

[Arugula Latte]

38. Yep, like Droopy Dawg taking a squat.

I'm actually amazed that Traitor Joe has made it this far in politics. He has Zero charisma. None. Zip. Zilch. Nada.

[Patsy Stone]

39. Blame Canada!

Thanks, Catwoman.

K&R.

[LSK]

40. bloggers are WE THE PEOPLE

So FUCK OFF establishment.

[dalloway]

41. a great piece. Be sure to link to the whole thing.

Full of intelligent analysis.

[Nestor Mahkno]

43. Do you think they have your best interest at heart?

Methinks the right wing and thier lapdog corporate punditocracy might not have the best interests of the Democratic party at heart hmmm? If someone like David Brooks, Fox News or the WaPo gives you advise, it's a safe bet you should do the opposite.

Tom Tomorrow has these jokers nailed:

http://www.workingforchange.com/comic.cfm?itemid=21106

[goforit]

44. roflmao!! The power of the bloggers!! or the Dectives of the truth!!!

Lieberman just doesn't want anyone to know about all
his dirty laundry he has collected throughout the years!

A true PNACr conquering the world thru Israel while stepping
all over American's rights and liberties!!!

Tisk tisk looserman!!!

No tears shed over this jerk!

[WCGreen]

46. Typical Republican.....

Passes the blame to anyone or thing but himself....

[peacetalksforall]

49. Not the bloggers. It was his votes, his words, his kisses, and kissing up

I squirmed at his votes. I visualize him walking down the stairs from the Democratic Party at the top, descending into the basement and the sub basement. then sub-sub-basements/sewers where he is greeted by all the people mentioned by Joe C in the article. With smiles and open arms.

I had no idea there were so many Republicans backing him.

As I watched his votes since 2000 and listened, I came up with this suspicion that he may have been a traitor during the counting. Not right away. I was happy that the first person of the Jewish religion might be in the VP chair, even though I was furious at his high road morality righteousness regarding Clinton. It made me sick because I don't trust people who declare their own sainthood by implication. But, I thought if Al selected him, it must be me that is wrong. I now suspect that it was the DLC that selected Joe and since I don't trust the DLC... it's all linked. \

I'm just a citizen who comments on what is happening to my country. And I didn't set out to destroy Joe and I haven't. He did everything to himself. Now he should just head out for the big bucks.

Are CT votes safe from ES & S or Diebold, etc.?

[Seattleman]

62. His support of the occupation of Iraq

It is continued support of the invasion and occupation of Iraq that opened the eyes of many people. As we all know, the Bush Administration acted upon the aspirations and agenda of the Neo-Cons and PNAC thugs when he used the first available excuse to invade Iraq.

LIE-berman supported those people, their efforts, their agenda, and continues his support to this day.

THAT is the reason that another lying, self-serving, career politician needs to kicked out of office.

[Vogon_Glory]

50. And On The Right We Have...

Many of us on the left and center want to force Joe Lieberman out of office not because of some bizarre desire for ideological purity, but because we believe that his positions are wrong and, more importantly, Joe Lieberman has compromised and accommodated where he should have stood and fought.

The US government has been taken over by right-wing ideologues who take no prisoners and brook very few compromises, if any. They walk over people who disagree with them, and treat their opponents with contempt.

Joe Lieberman apparently has failed to notice this sea change. He seems to be living in some sort of pre-Ronald Reagan time warp where there actually were people in the other party willing to bargain and compromise and put national interests ahead of ideology. And he's failed to notice that those days are over and done with--and that the right-wing extremists leading the other party were the ones who brought those days to an end.

Joe Lieberman is symptomatic of the Beltway Democrats' inability to stand up and fight for what is right. Since Lieberman can't bring himself to stand up and fight, he should be replaced with someone who can.

[DallasNE]

51. I Have To Post This Somewhere

It is off topic but this WP article is absolutely amazing. Read down far enough and you will find a Harris poll that shows an increase in the number of people that think Saddam had close ties with bin Laden and that Iraq is the central focus on the war on terrorism. Thanks stenographer journalism!

<http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/blog/2006/07/26/BL2006072600903_pf.html>

[deacon]

52. Their reaction shows why he should be voted out- what a bunch

of idiots.

Friggin elitists.

[Epiphany4z]

54. Lieberman’s Allies Blame the Bloggers

and who are bloggers?...people...who have access to information from all sides......informed voters.....so Joe blames the informed voters.

to read this you believe bloggers are some brain washing Machine not real people..like it is all the computers fault there are no thinking voting people behind it all...

[SidDithers]

55. Conason is so good...

it's been a while since I have read his stuff.

Thanks for posting, and for the reminder to check his Observer columns more regularly.

:toast:

Sid

[wildeyed]

56. He ignored his constituents opinions on some very important issues.

In fact, he rubbed it in their faces. They have the right to vote him out. Why is that so hard to understand? Honestly, these politicians seem to have forgotten that they are elected, not appointed.

And as a note about the blogosphere, I didn't join it until I started to buy a clue about what was going on in this country. I am not a radical or a malcontent. I would not have been so attracted to it if the MSM and the dems had been mounting an adequate resistance to the evil that has taken root in our country.

I guess even the Democratic Party likes it's members stupid and complacent. Easier to manage that way. Sheesh.

[sangfroid]

57. Now, see, this is why more and more young people are turning...

away from politics.

It's like in the 1960s-1970s: young Dems saw an issue we were concerned about (i.e., the Vietnam War), and everyone told us to "stay within the system", so everyone got Clean for Gene and worked like hell for the McGovern campaign. Of course, the media, the Repuges and, to be honest, more than a few of our fellow Dems treated those fine gents, those campaigns and the folks who worked on them like total dirt. Is it any wonder those folks retreated into the Me Generation?

Same thing here. If you ain't with Faux Joe, Bush's Buttboy, you must be some kind of hippy scumbag McGovernite. Young people just getting into politics see this verbal diarrhea and figure anything, even full contact skateboarding, has to be more fun than this. Good going Joe.

Oh, I am a Democrat who still has my McGovern button, and I bet there's more than a few of us around, so if Joe thinks he's impressing the hell out of us, he's really got another think coming.

[liberalmike27]

58. FAUX Support

There is nothing like FAUX support for Lieberman that absolutely proves that he needs to go. If for no other reason so we don't have to hear his whiny voice.

I hated it so bad when Gore chose him over several good people to run with.

I doubt Ned with be a whole lot different, but still I'll be glad to see him go, assuming he does. If Lieberman runs and saps votes it just follows that he doesn't care about Democratic ideas.