Update: Senate Democrats Supporting Ned Lamont

[Bob Geiger]

I never claimed when I began keeping this list that I would be 100-percent sure that I had gotten every Senate Democrat who had pledged support for Ned Lamont as the legitimate Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Connecticut. But it's interesting how hard it is to track down those doing the right thing --- no matter how tepid that initial support may be -- and finding those who will inexplicably side with Joe Lieberman as he moves away from his own party.

As I reached out to some people in Senators' offices yesterday, it became obvious that some of them were under the impression that it was readily understood that their boss was for Lamont, even though tracking down a press release or formal statement to that effect is almost impossible.

But, I'm working at it and am getting lots of tips from readers and other bloggers. As I can definitively confirm those doing the right thing and those choosing the wrong path in all of this, I'll update the list.

And we have four additions today, bring the total number of Senate Democrats pledging support for Lamont to 20, while the number who have chosen to support non-Democrat Lieberman remains at three.





Here's the names I've added in support of Ned Lamont:

• Daniel Akaka (D-HI) strongly supports Lamont according to 2006 Campaign Manager Andy Winer who confirmed it with me. Said Andy: "Senator Akaka made it clear that he is endorsing Ned Lamont, who is the people's choice, in the Connecticut Senate race." Interestingly, Winer reports that Ed Case, a centrist in the Lieberman mold who is challenging Akaka in Hawaii's primary, is supporting Lieberman. I have a message in to the Case campaign to confirm and will keep you posted.

• A press report had Senator Joe Biden (D-DE) praising Lieberman's service but saying "I intend to support Ned Lamont this fall and do everything I can to put the Democrats back in the majority, where we can effect real change in the direction of the country." This was confirmed to me yesterday by Biden Press Secretary Elizabeth Alexander.

• I confirmed on Monday with Melissa Merz, Senator Ron Wyden's (D-OR) Communications Director, that he is indeed supporting Lamont. "As Vice-Chair of the DSCC, Senator Wyden will support the Democratic nominee, Mr. Lamont," she said.

• Jack Reed's (D-RI) Chief of Staff, Neil Campbell, told me last night that Reed supports Lamont in the general election. "Connecticut Democrats have chosen Ned Lamont as their candidate for Senate, and I support their decision and his candidacy," he quotes Reed as saying.

All indications are that Senator Daniel Inouye (D-HI) will follow through on his pre-primary pledge to support Lieberman but I'm waiting for confirmation from his office before we add him to that list.

Here's the contact information for the 18 Democratic Senators who have yet to demonstrably commit one way or the other:

Max Baucus (MT) 202-224-2651
Web Form: http://baucus.senate.gov/contact/emailForm.cfm?subj=issue

Jeff Bingaman (NM) 202-224-5521
E-mail: [e-mail]

Robert Byrd (WV) 202-224-3954
Web Form: http://byrd.senate.gov/byrd_email.html

Kent Conrad (ND) 202-224-2043
Web Form: http://conrad.senate.gov/webform.html

Byron Dorgan (ND) 202-224-2551
E-mail: [e-mail]

Dianne Feinstein (CA) 202-224-3841
Web Form: http://feinstein.senate.gov/email.html

Daniel Inouye (HI) 202-224-3934
Web Form: http://inouye.senate.gov/abtform.html

Tim Johnson (SD) 202-224-5842
Web Form: http://johnson.senate.gov/emailform.cfm

Herb Kohl (WI) 202-224-5653
Web Form: http://kohl.senate.gov/gen_contact.html

Mary Landrieu (LA) 202-224-5824
Web Form: http://landrieu.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm

Patrick Leahy (VT) 202-224-4242
E-mail: [e-mail]

Carl Levin (MI) 202-224-6221
Web Form: http://levin.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm

Blanche Lincoln (AR) 202-224-4843
Web Form: http://lincoln.senate.gov/webform.html

Barbara Mikulski (MD) 202-224-4654
Web Form: http://mikulski.senate.gov/mailform.html

Patty Murray (WA) 202-224-2621
Web Form: http://murray.senate.gov/email/index.cfm

Ben Nelson (NE) 202-224-6551
Web Form: http://bennelson.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm

Bill Nelson (FL) 202-224-5274
Web Form: http://billnelson.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm

John Rockefeller (WV) 202-224-6472
Web Form: http://rockefeller.senate.gov/services/email.cfm

More as it becomes available...

You can reach Bob Geiger at [e-mail].

[LynneSin]

1. I knew Biden would support Lamont

Now Carper

:grr:

To be honest, unless the race gets tight against his opponent in the fall election, I'll probably just not vote for Carper at all. It's too late to get an opponent against him and I refuse to vote any other party other that democrat.

HOWEVER, like I said, if the polls show the race to be a tight one (which is highly unlikely) I'll pull the lever NOT for Tom Carper but for the Democratic Majority

[islandspirit]

2. Patty Murray

I contacted Patty Murray's office to ask why she hadn't come out in support yet. The man said that once the primary was over she would support the winner. I reminded him that the primary was a week ago and that the votes had been counted. So we were hoping to hear her support for Lamont.

[Olney Blue]

20. Can I quote you for my USA Today story tomorrow?

:)

[Timbuk3]

22. Carper OUT in 6 years

You're right. It's too late, this time, and we're stuck with him for 6 years, but Carper is FAR worse than Lieberman.

Oh, if I only knew a year ago what I know now...

[Timbuk3]

23. Letter to Carper

Of the available subject lines, I thought I'd choose "Homeland Security". Before I hit "send" does anyone have an editing help for this letter to Senator Carper from one of his constituents? (He'll know I'm a constituent, I have to input my address.)

Senator Carper,

I've been reading disturbing reports that you will be supporting the Independent candidate for the US Senate instead of the Democrat.

Can this possibly be true?

The lesson of the CT primary is that incumbency is not to be confused with entitlement.

It may be too late to change the outcome of the 2006 election, but 6 years is a long time to work toward the removal of a Senator who consistently votes against the interests of his constituency and his party.

I hope to see a public statement of your support for the return of the Democratic party to a majority in both houses of congress, soon. As the old saying goes, you can't have your cake and eat it, too, and you can't support the Independent and be a Democrat, too.

Sincerely,

XXXXX XXXXXXXXX

[Timbuk3]

25. Here's what I sent

Senator Carper,

I've been reading disturbing reports that you will be supporting the Independent candidate for the US Senate instead of the Democrat in CT.

Can this possibly be true?

The lesson of the CT primary is that incumbency is not to be confused with entitlement, and people will work hard toward the removal of a Senator who consistently votes against the interests of his constituency and his party.

I look forward to your public statement of support for the return of the Democratic party to a majority in both houses of congress, soon. As the old saying goes, you can't have your cake and eat it, too, and you can't support the Independent and be a Democrat, too.

Sincerely,

[CTD]

3. You can bet Landrieu will side with Lieberman

If she has the cojones to actualy take a public stand.

She needs to be taken out just like Lieberman was. She votes "wrong" on key votes almost as frequently as Lieberman does.

[Totally Committed]

28. She's a Lieberman (DLC) clone in a dress....

of course she will!

TC

[skipos]

4. Thanks for the list

nt

[melissinha]

5. I think Schumer's support means alot

Because he is the head of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee....

It would be interesting to hear from Byrd, Leahy and Levin though.

I am happy that my old Senators Harkin and Durbin are on board.

[zalinda]

6. Interesting..............

All that have expressed "interest" in running for pres in 2008, came out early and loudly for Lamont.

zalinda

[fishsandwich]

7. he'll switch

It should be obvious to everyone now that Connecticut voters were right - Joe Lieberman is not a democrat. And he's not an independent either. If he is successful in his bid he will switch parties and declare as a republican, which is what he has been voting like all along. That the republicans are out for him in full force tacitly proves what Lamont and his supporters have been saying since day one.

[newyawker99]

13. Hi fishsandwich!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[confludemocrat]

8. The bizarre weakness of the Democratic Party

We need to get updates on whether the party's own so-called stalwarts will support a primary-winning Democrat over an Independent? How goddamn lame is that? As pointed out by Sirota, many of these people are free booting, self-serving unprincipled agents of their own ambitions. I feel sorry for the people represented by this group of chumps supporting Lieberman, as I feel sorry for myself for having as my senators Conrad Burns and Max Baucus. This is a group AFRAID of their ability to defend their support of a Democrat! or simply lacking the APTITUDE to even stand for their own party. Geezus, God what a state of affairs.

[Bretttido]

9. Thank your for the list and your devotion to it!

:kick:

[Norquist Nemesis]

10. I read Nelson (NE) was sticking with Lieberman

(though I can't recall where) and I also heard it on the radio. There were two other Dem Senators that were named as well. May very well be mistaken, but for some reason I'm thinking it was Pryor (AR) and Inouye (HI) that were the other two.

[Cha]

11. Good! Schumer's on board..

dragging and kicking, no doubt, but he's there!

Thanks, Bob Geiger, for all these updates!

[Jim Lane]

26. You're being too harsh on Schumer

Before the primary, he announced that he'd support the winner of the primary. On the day after the primary, he endorsed Lamont -- in fact, I think it was the morning of the day after the primary.

Schumer isn't always a profile in courage. In this instance, though, it isn't fair to characterize his support for Lamont as "dragging and kicking".

[cali]

12. Arrgh.

Bob, I informed you on your last thread that Pat Leahy said he'd support Lamont, in July. Here's a link to the daily kos article about it- and some quotes. Could you correct your list please?

"Quick update on Leahy's strong words regarding Sen. Lieberman's decision to bolt the Democratic Party if reformer candidate Ned Lamont bests him in the primary: Vermont Public Radio has the transcript of their report from last week online:


(Leahy) "I'm disappointed that he's talking about running as an independent. He's always run as a Democrat. He has a special responsibility as the Democrat's nominee for vice president. He's always had the support of the Democratic party. He ought to be willing to run as a Democrat. He'll either win or lose the nomination, but if he doesn't win the nomination then I would fully expect the Democratic party to support whoever does win it."


http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/7/10/141127/739

[Daylin Byak]

15. My predictions on the remaining undecided Senators

There are 18 more Senators that haven't came out to support either Joe Lieberman or Ned Lamont and here are my predictions on which senator will support who, see if these are good predictions or not.

The undecided Senators
-Max Baucus, Montana
-Jeff Bingaman, New Mexico
-Robert Byrd, West Virginia
-Kent Conrad, North Dakota
-Byron Dorgan, North Dakota
-Dianne Feinstein, California
-Daniel Inouye, Hawaii
-Tim Johnson, South Dakota
-Herb Kohl, Wisconsin
-Mary Landrieu, Louisiana
-Patrick Leahy, Vermont
-Carl Levin, Michigan
-Blanche Lincoln, Arkansas
-Barbara Mikulski, Maryland
-Patty Murray, Washington
-Ben Nelson, Nebraska
-Bill Nelson, Florida
-John "Jay" Rockefeller, West Virginia

Senators who will likely support Ned Lamont
-Byron Dorgan, North Dakota
-Daniel Inouye, Hawaii
-Patrick Leahy, Vermont
-Carl Levin, Michigan
-Barbara Mikulski, Maryland
-Patty Murray, Washington

Senators who are likely to support Joe Liberman
-Dianne Feinstein, California
-Tim Johnson, South Dakota
-Herb Kohl, Wisconsin
-Mary Landrieu, Louisana
-Ben Nelson, Nebraska
-Bill Nelson, Florida

Senators I really can't make a decsion on, you decide on who you think they'll support
-Max Baucus, Montana
-Jeff Bingaman, New Mexico
-Robert Byrd, West Virginia
-Kent Conrad, North Dakota
-Blanche Lincoln, Arkansas
-John "Jay" Rockefeller, West Virginia

[cali]

16. Did you even read what I wrote?

Leahy said in july that he'd support Lamont if he won, and used strong words about Lieberman running as an Independent, at that time.

[Bob Geiger]

29. Only looking at post-08/08 world

Cali;

I saw what you wrote and understood, but all of what Leahy said on the record was before the August 8 primary and a lot changes in what a politician says when the results are actually in. Despite what some think about we bloggers, some of us actually do have journalism background and I've been waiting for direct confirmation from Leahy's office -- which has been like pulling teeth to get.

I finally heard from his spokesman and added him to Lamont supporters in last night's update.

Bob

[Nye Bevan]

14. Words are cheap

It will be interesting to see which of these senators take their support further than lukewarm statments from members of their staff.

[Time for change]

17. Thanks for doing this important work

You are helping to force them into taking a position, which is likely to soon leave Lieberman out in the cold. He can't win if it's made clear that he lacks the support of the Democratic Party.

[Bushies gotta go]

18. I just sent this to Bingaman, my Senator

Senator Bingaman

I cannot believe that you have not yet elected to support CT Dem candidate Ned Lamont. I urge you to immediately throw your support to him. As you know, CT voters have spoken and I can only tell you that their voice is one that will be heard around the country in November. As a long time Dem, I am not ruling out the possibility of leaving you off my ballot selections should you decide to not endorse Ned Lamont.

It is time all Democratic candidates and office holders understand our frustrations with the current administration and begin to speak out loudly and clearly against it. Liebermann is nothing more that a Bush puppet, as the voters have decided and he has exhibited. Are you willing to risk being in the same predicament as Joe Liebermann?

Again, I urge you to publicly endorse Ned Lamont. Show your constituents that you are not afraid to stand up against this administration.

Sincerely,

[bleever]

19. Thanks for keeping us posted on this.

:thumbsup:

[bear425]

21. Bob, here's my letter to my Senator.

Thanks for posting the info.

Senator Nelson:
I am writing to you today to confirm your support for the Democratic nominee in the state of Connecticut, Ned Lamont. Many of your colleagues have readily offered their support on record and I am anxious to hear that my Senator will do the same. I’m sure that since he is the winner of the primary you will agree to publicly support Ned Lamont.
Thank you in advance.
Best,
XXBear425XX

[izzybeans]

24. To me this means, by looking at your "indemonstrable" list

that the DLC is fucking confused as to what to do.

Yet even Evan Bayh has signed on. As a hoosier I can say that Bayh never signs on unless the wind is very very swiftly blowing in whatever direction he has signed on for.

[Major Hogwash]

27. I'm surprised by Rockefeller's reaction, or non-reaction rather, to

the loss in the primary by Joe Lieberman.

Senator Rockefeller seems like a very bright guy to me. I've seen him ask some very tough questions of members of this Bush administration during hearings.
If my own Senators were half as smart as Senator Rockefeller, I doubt I'd even be on-line complaining about the Bush admin as much as I have lately because I would know that at least my Senators were working to stop the Iraq War, not promote it.

Now that we know the Iraq War was started on lies, rumors, and innuendo, we have to stop the war.
Bush has already stated that he doesn't intend to stop the war during his administration.
That means that the next President has to stop the war - and that forces the next Democratic Presidential candidate to be against the war, he or she will have to be an anti-war candidate.

The line has already been drawn in the sand.

Not in the sands of Iraq, but in the sands of Connecticut.

I'm looking forward to your next report on this topic, Bob.
Keep up the good work.

[speedoo]

30. Great job, Bob.

In the first few days after the primary, I was endorsing patience, to allow Loserman to absorb his bitter defeat, and I could understand why many Democrats would lay low on their support of LaMont, expecting Loserman to cool off and come to his senses and withdraw.

A week has now passed and there is no public sign that Loserman will in fact come to his senses. I do expect that if his list of public endorsements by Democrats remains as puny as it is today, he might eventually wake up.

But it is now time for all Democrats to strongly and publicly endorse Lamont. And it's also important for some Democrats, like Kerry to continue to criticize Loserman for his aggressive anti-Democrat activities.

I think we are at a critical juncture, here. I hope the Democratic caucus is exerting appropriate pressure on the undecided Democrats to either endorse LaMont, or at worst, abstain from supporting Loserman.

[Evergreen Emerald]

31. I contacted Murray's office--no response yet.

[Daylin Byak]

32. The only thing is on my mind about this is....

Who will Robert Byrd support?