UK Guardian: Why Joe Lieberman is in the firing line

[T_i_B]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/story/0,,1838736,00.html

As one of the wealthiest and best educated states in the union, Connecticut is no bellwether. The Senate seat is so reliably Democratic that when the Republicans nominated their candidate earlier this year some in the convention bleated to signal a lamb to the slaughter. Lieberman, meanwhile, is no regular Democrat. That incriminating smooch didn't come from nowhere. He was the only New England Democratic senator to support Bush's energy policy, one of only a few Democrats who thought the government should intervene in the Terri Schiavo case, and a rare Democrat who said he was willing to work with Bush's failed plan to overhaul social security.

Indeed, it is the very presence of this unreliable Democrat in this reliably Democratic seat that has transformed this primary into a national race, for it tests just how much betrayal Democratic voters are prepared to accept before they assert their electoral clout. The big guns have been pouring in. Recently a forgiving Clinton came to back Lieberman; last week Jesse Jackson was down to support Lamont. Liberal-left bloggers backing Lamont have been in overdrive.

Some have described it as a struggle for the heart and soul of the Democratic party, but a more accurate portrayal would be a battle to establish whether the party should have a soul at all. It raises not only the question of what does the party stand for apart from office but also whether it is prepared to adopt an agenda that could actually win office. This race could set the tone for the 2008 presidential elections.

Less then half of those backing Lamont cite the war as the main reason. "It's mostly about the war but not exclusively," says Christine Koskoff at a Lamont meeting at Bristol's Clock and Watch Museum. "It's about Senator Lieberman articulating the agenda of the rightwingers who run this country. The war sums up everything that's wrong." In this Lieberman, like his kiss, is more symbol than substance. He was one of 29 Democratic senators who voted for the war. Some have since expressed their regret; most, like him, haven't. Some, like Hillary, face token challenges. Only Lieberman is in serious trouble. For he went one step further, arguing that when it comes to the war the opposition had no right to oppose.

[acmavm]

1. This one partial sentence sums it all up very nicely:

<snip>

...for it tests just how much betrayal Democratic voters are prepared to accept before they assert their electoral clout.

<snip>

[western mass]

2. Most lucid and accurate summary I've read.

Why does this level of insight have to come from the British press?

[LynzM]

4. I know, right?

Sad, that.

[Clark2008]

5. It's not that there aren't American journalists with this insight, though.

I think it's simply because the corporate masters won't let this kind of thoughtful analysis through the gates for fear of failing to dumb-down Americans. x(

[cliss]

3. very nice article,

thanks for posting.

[yellowdawgdem]

6. Thanks for posting

It's interesting to see what the guardian thinks about our predicament. In addition to their insights, I was thinking that perhaps Leiberman is esp. vulnerable because he isn't as in with the admin. as he thinks he is. And they aren't supporting him with their tricks at the ballot box this year. Whatever the reasoning, it still is a sign that people aren't tolerating the big money sell outs.

[Jacobin]

7. Jeeze, I'd forgotten that Joe was in on the Shiavo simpering

That would be enough to toss his silly ass over the rail by itself.

What a forking moron

[AX10]

8. K and R! Here's something to read!

Joe has got to GO!

[KurtNYC]

9. His Schiavo stance was iconic -- he wants to cram his views

down all of our throats. If he goes through with his indy bid it will drag down similar dems.

[Recursion]

10. The impact of bloggers is overrated

Not to downplay what Internet activists can do and have done; but Lieberman's fooling himself if he thinks he's losing because of a bunch of people sitting at their computers. He's losing because a majority of Democrats in Connecticut don't like what he has done over the past 18 years, and particularly over the past 6 years. Now, maybe bloggers have helped get that word out somewhat, and helped raise some money for Lamont, but this is the people of Connecticut standing up to him.

[w4rma]

11. Remember, the primary is tomorrow, Tuesday the 8th!

Let's take this lying, flip-flopping, endorsed by DeLay, Cokie, Coutler and Hannity, warmongering, neo-liberal (neo-con?), out with the TRASH!

The GET OUT THE VOTE campaign really starts **tomorrow**, bright and early!! Drive folks to the polls and volunteer!

Goooo Connecticut Dems!!!