My Letter to Sen. Pryor (D-AR), who is sending Lieberman campaign $$

[holboz]

Dear Senator Pryor:

As a registered Democrat voter who is anxious for a new direction in this country I was extremely disappointed to read that you plan to support Joe Lieberman for re-election.

The fact that you are willing to transfer funds from your own war chest to his is one point I find especially troubling. I wonder if you realize how out of touch this action makes you appear to people who support the Democratic Party. Do you honestly believe this is the right thing to do?

In 2000 and 2004 we were told by our Democratic leaders that we had to accept the very difficult (if not downright questionable) Presidential bid losses in 2000 and 2004. We were told that the People had spoken. The winner declared. We were pushed to move on and support that outcome so we could get back to business.

Being stuck in the beltway I know it's very easy to find yourself in a bubble. Maybe it's time for a reality check. Here are some hard numbers that will re-acquaint you with the sentiment and mind frame of Democrat voters:

>The latest Zogby poll shows 79% of Democrats are GLAD that Lieberman lost. .

>62% believe the Connecticut primary will hold national implications for the elections coming up this fall.

>In addition, 70% said they think the Lamont victory makes the Democratic Party stronger heading into the important election season.

The Connecticut election highlights what Democrats across the country said they want to hear from their candidates – a resolute opposition to the war in Iraq.

>More than three-quarters of Democrats (78%) said they want candidates who opposes the conflict, while just 6% said they think their Democratic candidates should support the war.

>Only 13% said they want their candidates to take a middling stance somewhere between support and opposition.


Your support of Lieberman is not only a slap in the face to the voters of Connecticut but to the overwhelming majority of Democrats in this country. Dems are working harder than ever to take back Congress this year and get this country back on the right track. Sorry, Senator Pryor, but you are flat out wrong and out of touch if think we need Democrats like Joe Lieberman. What we want and what we need is a true oppositional party to Republican policies that have plunged this country and its citizenry into dispair.

Please think about the message you are sending when you say you are going to whip out your checkbook and send money to the Lieberman campaign. CT voters declared Joe-Mentum is out of steam. Please respect their choice and support the victor of the CT Democratic Primary. We need unity now more than ever!

Best Regards,
Holboz

[LiberalFighter]

1. He should be asked the question...

should his primary opponent in his state disregard the wishes of the voters if he loses?

[welshTerrier2]

2. excellent!!

thanks for taking the time to write to Pryor ...

some of these guys get caught up in "personal friendships" or "payback for past support on their pet issues" ... both of these reasons can be legitimate TO A DEGREE ...

but far more important, as you pointed out, should be respect for our democratic institutions and the will of the electorate ...

it's clear Pryor, and a few others, need to hear that message ...

k&r ...

[holboz]

3. I was so mad when I read about Pryor's support of Lieberman...

I had to write! I think some of these guys stay in Washington so long that they lose touch with reality. I thought it was beyond incredulous that he issued a press release and said that he was going to send money that had been donated by DEMOCRAT SUPPORTERS to someone that the Dems don't support.

Damn, I should have said that in my letter.

[sinkingfeeling]

4. Your letter is good, but it won't matter to Mark. He and Lieberman are

a part of the Gang of 14 and best buds. Blanche, on the other hand, is probably also supporting Lieberman's independent run, but is too much of a coward to come out and admit it.

[leesa]

5. That was a very well written letter. I hope he takes it to heart and

realizes his mistake.

[AtomicKitten]

6. It is disgraceful that a Democrat would support Lieberman in

an independent run, completing ignoring the will of the voters in the primary. I suspect Pryor will get a strong talking-to by the powers that be. There is no way in hell they will be able to square this bullshit with the rank and file Dems.

[KKKarl is an idiot]

7. I don't know how many of you live in the Bible belt

But here in Oklahoma things are different. If you oppose the war in Iraq or are not a Christina you are unelectable even if you are a republican. This state has more registered democrats that republicans. But this state has not voted for a democratic presidential candidate since the early 60's. Yes it has taken over 80 years for the republicans to win back the state house in Oklahoma. But that is state politics & most of the those democrats that were elected to state seats over the years had conservative viewpoints. The real facts are that the Bible belt will not elect a federal senator or congressmen/women that is against Bush. So I guess the Arkansas democrat is just playing politics to get re-elected. I in now support this type of politics I am just pointing out the facts that you cannot be a true progressive in the Bible belt.

[holboz]

9. I think Blanche Lincoln took the better approach...

and thankfully, because I live in NW Arkansas, she's my Senator. She said it was up to the CT voters and not really any of her business. The desire of the of voters must be respected.

Although Arkansas has been the Bluest state in the south, NW Arkansas is bright Red. And this is fastest growing area of the state with lots of wealthy folks. Lincoln has to be very very careful, and I think Pryor feels the same way. The Dems need a decisive win else I fear Lincoln and Pryor will continue on their road to becoming DINOs.

At least it looks like Beebe will take back the Governor's mansion for the Dems this November!

[fishwax]

11. I know what you mean about bible belt dems

and until last year, I lived in oklahoma as well. But I don't think Pryor has to financially support lieberman, or even vocally support lieberman after the primary in order to get reelected. I understand his support of joe in the primary, and think that coming out in favor of lamont (either before the primary or even now) might be problematic with his electorate.

But I don't see why he has to vocally support lieberman now, and cutting him a check is beyond the pale. If he's worried about voters in arkansas, he could simply not take a stand now that the primary is over, and if thoroughly pressed about the issue simply say something like: "Joe lieberman is a friend of mine, etc., and I supported him in the primary. But now that the primary is over and the CT dems have selected their nominee, I have much more important business to tend to on behalf of the people of arkansas." He doesn't have to come and give lamont a ringing endorsement, but nor does he have to oppose the democratic nominee and, by turn, the democratic nominating process.

[bigwillq]

8. Great letter!

Thanks for writing! :hi:

[tavery]

10. my senator

That is my senator, when you all start to pay taxes and vote in Arkansas, then you all get a say, until then, back the fuck off, and don't even start on Blanche.

[w4rma]

13. That's funny

Since when did you or "your senator" start paying taxes and voting in Connecticut. I'm sorry but your argument has no weight. Heck your two states aren't even neighboring states or even close to one another geographically.

[holboz]

14. I'm from Arkansas, just so you know (NW Ark) ! ;)

:hi:

[CTLawGuy]

15. why don't you send that message to

Mr. Pryor, and sign it "Love, the Democratic voters of CT"

Tell him to stop actively trying to thwart the will of the voters of a state 1000 miles away.

[liberalhistorian]

16. The actions and votes of senators

affect ALL of us, and not just those in the senator's respective state. Therefore, we have the right to discuss any damn senator we please.

[w4rma]

12. I suppose he wouldn't mind it if Democrats supported the indy in his

own race? Or the Green? No? He would mind? Well, he isn't leading by example.