NYT: Lieberman's "independent" run may hand the House to Republicans

[DeepModem Mom]

NYT: Lieberman’s Run Shadows House Campaigns in Connecticut
By JENNIFER MEDINA
Published: August 27, 2006

STAMFORD, Conn., Aug. 25 — As Senator Joseph I. Lieberman begins to mount a vigorous and well-financed re-election campaign as an independent, many Connecticut Democrats say they are worried that his bid could jeopardize their party’s ability to win in three hotly contested House races this fall....With polls showing that many Democrats are eager for a change, Democratic officials say they expect Mr. Lieberman to campaign aggressively to win over Republican and unaffiliated voters.

If he does, Democratic strategists say, he may well attract voters to the polls who are likely to support the state’s three Republicans in Congress: Nancy Johnson, Rob Simmons and Christopher Shays....

***

Rahm Emanuel, the chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, expressed confidence that Democratic turnout would be strong for the House races in Connecticut....

But other top Democrats, including Howard Dean, the chairman of the Democratic National Committee, have called on Mr. Lieberman to drop out and say he is hurting both the state and national parties....

By almost any calculation, the Democrats, who hold the state’s other two House seats, will have to capture at least one of the three Republican-held seats to retake control of the House, political analysts say....

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/27/nyregion/27connecticut.html

[no_hypocrisy]

1. So what does the democratic leadership suggest be done? Lamont to drop

out instead of Lieberman? Or let the chips fall where they may?

[neoblues]

2. Joe Wouldn't Mind... it's just more power for his honey, George.

Besides, it would also help enshrine him in the History books (ambition/pride is everything to the man; embarrassing to have had him as a Democrat for so many years).

[Eric J in MN]

3. Rahm Emanuel thinks we're idiots.

We supposedly don't know that Lieberman's support is greater among Republicans, and so Rahm Emanuel can say, "Explain to me how two Democrats running is bad" and we'll supposedly be stumped.

Lieberman will bring more Republicans to the polls than he will Democrats. That's why his running is bad.

[Beetwasher]

4. Are Repubs Really Going To Be That Motivated To Vote For Joe?

Will they be so fired up that their turnout will increase so much? I doubt it.

Don't get me wrong, Joe's lowdown piece of of shit and we should still club him over the head w/ this possibility, but I just don't see his candidacy exciting Repubs so much that they are super-motivated to vote and turn out in droves enough to jeapordize the House races. I guess it's possible, but I don't think it's probable (or at least I hope that's the case).

[Eric J in MN]

7. More Rs will turn out than if they could just vote for Alan Schlesinger...

...who is at an incredibly low 4% in the polls.

[MoonRiver]

5. How many Repubs are in CT? I wouldn't think they have much clout.

And my assumption is that the Independents there mirror the unhappiness with the war seen all over the country. The NYT's logic sucks imo. I think Lieberman is toast. No matter how much butter Rove smears on him, he's done.

[opihimoimoi]

6. Joe is confirmation of the Evilness of the Pub Party: Devious, Expedient,

Conniving, etc

Joe is being used and he don't even know it...he has been bought, hook line and sinker. ... to become...HarryPotter's: SLITHERN

A sneaky Snake he is.

[Benhurst]

8. This is from the "liberal" New York Times. The wish may

be mother of the thought.

[DeepModem Mom]

9. Except they were one of the few newspapers who endorsed Lamont. nt

[Benhurst]

10. A good point.

Now if I can just find my tinfoil hat ...

Ah, there it is!

:tinfoilhat:

They're up to something.