Giving Lieberman a taste of his own medicine!

[jackbourassa]

Like many of you, i've been paying close attention to the Democratic Senate primary election in Connecticut and one thing seems abundantly clear: Joe Lieberman is scared shit-less. Recently there have been several news reports of Joe Lieberman running as an independent if he should lose the primary. I suspect that this is more bluster than real. In fact, Lieberman's entire election strategy seems to be to scare Connecticut Democrats to support his candidacy. First there were the reports of all the money Connecticut Democrats would lose out on if he should be defeated. Now these stories about him running as an independent.

Here's the link:

http://www.myleftnutmeg.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=848

But I think we should call Holy Joe out on his threats. I think Lamont should essentially say that if Lieberman refuses to support the winning candidate, then he will do likewise. Lamont can just as easily campaign as a left-wing anti-war independent as Joe can a Republican-loving Democrat. Lamont can run a statewide campaign by saying that the people of Connecticut deserve a choice. He should make the entire election about the war in Iraq and make that the basis of his candidacy as an independent.

I think this would bring about one of two results:

1. Lieberman would come to his senses and say, at long last, that he'll support whoever the Democrats nominate, and Lamont will reciprocate.

2. Lieberman will lose the election in November, either to an independent or to the Republican candidate who will ultimately benefit from the vote splitting.

This is an interesting scenario which I believe Lamont should seriously consider.

What do you guys think of it?

[wtmusic]

1. Unless Lieberman announces publicly that he will run independent

it's premature. Even then--"tit for tat" can backfire. But I've had enough of Republicans telling me they wish more Democrats were like Joe Lieberman. And with Iraq the hellhole it is, Lamont could actually win as an indy.

I like it.

[Jane Austin]

2. I was sorry to see at SurveyUSA

that Lieberman has a 56% approval rating among CT Democrats and a 63% rating overallall.

Do you think Lamont can turn that around?

I am really tired of Lieberman making himself available for Republicans to use against Dems.

http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=a9c47dcd-3309-4528-b4bc-86c0c9aaee2c

[killerbush]

3. Lieberman will return to the Senate

And Lamont will be nothing more than a boil on the asscrack of the world.

[ihelpu2see]

4. Lots of towns are putting delegates in Lamont's column.. nt

[Freddie Stubbs]

10. Is anyone keeping a tally?

:shrug:

[ihelpu2see]

12. In my town we have 6 delegates, I know only of 1 who is for Joe. nt

[Jane Austin]

5. Are you in Connecticut?

I was hoping for some local insight.

[CTLawGuy]

8. I am in CT

the reasons that Lieberman polls well now are thus:

(1) Ned has low name ID and Lieberman is a 3 term incumbent who was a VP nominee and a mjor presidential contender

(2) people are not paying attention to the race yet, so of course they will prefer someone they know over someone they don't.

Joe led big time in 2003 presidential primary polls, because he was best known, but those evaporated fast as people began to pay attention. I predict his numbers will do the same here.


If Ned can sew up over 50% of the delegates, hopefully Joe will be so embarassed that he will retire. If that happens (50% of delegates for Ned), the state and national media WILL pay attention and it won't be good for Joe.

If Joe runs as an Independent, the media will tar him as a petulant baby and a loser who was rebuffed by his own party. There will probably be no Repbulican in the race, as they have MUCH bigger fish to fry. He might get some Repug votes, but the Repub party in CT, except for Rell, is in huge trouble and they will be distracted trying to hold their 3 house seats when their leader has a 25% in-state approval rating.

The Republican Party will NOT waste funds helping Lieberman with an independent campaign, not with the current political climate. They like him, but not that much.

[killerbush]

9. darboy, your living in a dream world

If you believe that Ned "one issue" Lamont has a snowballs chance in hell of beating Joe Lieberman. The last poll I saw had Joe up 24%. When this race is over, Lamont will go back, lick his wounds, and never be heard from again. Get ready for another 6 years of Lieberman in the Senate.

[CTLawGuy]

14. and where are you from

Im from CT, so unless you are CT Dem party insider, I think I know better than you.

Joe Lieberman led another prominent early poll, the 2003 presidential primary poll. How did that work out for him?

It is way too early to consider polls definitive on the race. People are answering polls on name recognition, and not really paying attention to the race.

Too bad Joe is not as confident as you, becuse he refuses to say he'll support the Dem nominee. Why would he not make that simple pledge if he will win in a walk?

So, the calls for this race being over are premature to say the least.

[Jane Austin]

11. Thanks so much for your analysis.

That's exactly what I was looking for.

Very interesting stuff.

[MurrayDelph]

13. Republicans will only give him funds

if he stays the Democratic candidate. As an independent, he only serves their purpose
as a spoiler for the election (and they would rather have an avowed Republican than a
stealth one). If he stays in the Democratic party, they get to use him
as a full-time spoiler.

[madinmaryland]

16. Not sure about your comments on the pubs in CT

I'm sure if the dems split, they will pull someone to run against Lamont. For all I know, they might even pull Gary Franks out of the hat. Not sure, but they might try and run Nancy Johnson or someone of the caliber.

[CTLawGuy]

17. 2006 is shaping up to be a bad year for Republicans

unless this changes, it will be hard for Republicans to win.

Franks is washed up, he hasn't been in politics for at least 10 years, Johnson will be fighting for her life in her seat. She won't leave it.

and there really is no one else.

[CTLawGuy]

7. Early 2003

Lieberman led another primary poll by a lot - the Presidential nomination poll.

How did that turn out for him?

[CTLawGuy]

6. Lamont was right to support the Dem nominee

Lamont is a Democrat. If he did what you suggested, he opens himself up to being called a nader-type spoiler who will end up helping the Republicans.

Joe is really hurting himself by not supporting the Dem nominee. He looks weak, and scared, and he is turning off Town party leaders (he needs to get delegates from the towns to the noninating convention in may to get on the ballot) who will find it easy to oppose someone who will not support the party.


The purpose of Lamont is for CT dems to tell Lieberman that he is doing wrong, it's not to hurt the Dem party.

[av8tor05]

15. I believe that the following scenario may play out:

1> Lamont gets the nomination,
2> Joe switches to Indie in an effort to keep his seat,
3> Gop picks up seat because the Dem vote is split between Lamont and Joe.

Scary thought.