Edwards was the first Dem to congratulate Lamont! That was very telling.

[saracat]

Any word on Sen. Kerry? And would the media cover it if he called? I am sure he will support Lamont but I havemn't heard anything yet. Anyone?

[Mass]

1. They will all be the first to do something. Bayh was the first to endorse

him. Clinton was the first to cut him a check. All trying to get some visibility from an event that has nothing to do with them (or so little).

This is all positionning. I am sure that Kerry called LaMont as well (assuming he was in the country), but this is not the type of things that he will rush to publicize (another reason I like him).

[beachmom]

3. But what has Kerry done? This was a national primary really.

It was watched by everyone. I'm annoyed reading Kos's post, and seeing the names Edwards, Bayh, Clinton, and Dodd who called to congratulate Lamont and not Kerry's. Is this a case of "if a tree falls in the forest and no one hears it, then it didn't happen" moment, where Kerry DID call and nobody reported it, or has he delayed calling him?

Enquiring minds would like to know . . .

[Mass]

4. You mean that kos and the NYTimes did not report Kerry?

Oh, My God! This is certainly not the first time it happens.

This said, we may as well be in front of a case of Kerry's PR not working. It would not be the first time either.

[ProSense]

5. But what does all of this mean?

This is not the same as in the primary when Clinton came out in support of Lieberman. These reports of congratulations and endorsements for Lamont are purely informational and some are knee jerk. They have nothing to do with character and position on the issues, and will do nothing to increase support for them.

The minute someone asks Kerry about this, we'll know.

[TayTay]

6. Sen. Kerry came out weeks ago and said that he will support

the nominee of the Democratic Party for Senator from the Great State of Connecticut.

Geesh, how soon they forget. He was one of the first 'big Dems' to say that he liked Joe Lieberman, but an election means something.

I'm glad all the 'latercomers' to the party are signing on today. But Sen. Kerry was where they are today, weeks ago.

I understand the need to criticize and ask, what have you done for me lately. But we should hae some memory in this group and some ability to defend based on truth.

Ah, excuse me, but who was the one with the Amendment to withdraw from Iraq according to a timetable. (Ahm, what was Lamont asked about on this? Who was he compared to: Edwards, Clinton, Bayh or some guy named Kerry?)

I welcome criticism in here. But a little bit of memory that goes back further than the last 48 hours would be a blessing as well. It's the other big Dems who are playing catch-up to Kerry not the other way around here. Defend this, cuz it's true.

[Mass]

7. I was not criticizing Kerry.

[TayTay]

8. No, but you were agreeing with a media spin that is inane

and insane. Lieberman was criticized because he didn't vote to continue the filibuster of Alito. (Gee, I seem to remember that Sen. Kerry had something to do with that.) Lieberman was criticized because he didn't vote for either the Levin/Reed Amendment or the much stronger Kerry/Fieingold/Boxer Amendment. Lamont said that he agreed with the Kerry/Feingold/Boxer Amendment and would have voted for it. (Not the Edwards Amendment, not the Bayh Amendment, not the Clinton Amendment.) Kerry was a background presence in this race. How obvious can that be?

Lamont wasn't asked on Hardball, Meet the Press, etc or by the NYTimes or WaPo or whatever if he agreed with Hillary Clinton and her proposals. He was asked about being inline with proposals that have been trumpeted (shouted from the rooftops, screamed about at top volume, etc) by the taller Senator from Massachusetts. Kerry was the measuring stick for a lot of this, not Edwards, Bayh, Clinton and so forth. Kerry.

And we want to know why he wasn't the first one out of the gate to say something to Lamont? Dammit, he was the gate on this. He was one of the first 'Big Dems' to say he would let the people speak and then back the nominee of those people. Gawd, how soon they forget.

[whometense]

9. What you said.

Absolutely. Kerry preempted all this weeks ago - something they all should have done, btw. Weeks ago. How any of those idiots could even leave hanging the remotest hint that they might not support the nominee is beyond me.

They're democrats, they support the democrat. Let them all scramble now - Kerry got there first.

[wisteria]

12. I am with you on this.

I also feel that indirectly, it is a win for Kerry and his direction on Iraq and the war on terror. The media seemed to go to great lengths to not mention anything about Kerry.

Edit to add, Kos and MyDD also.

[saracat]

10. I remember that It is just the PR thing. And most people are not clinging

on Kerry's every word as we are. He should be out there front and center because the average person does forget.And today is the day to grab the sound bite. sad but true. In many ways it is not what you say but when you say it.

[beachmom]

19. Agree with you completely on Kerry's position on the war and

what he said regarding the primary weeks ago (I remember it vividly). It's all about the drip, drip, drip of info that comes out on a daily basis. I know I haven't forgotten where Sen. Kerry stands on these issues, but your average Joe (no pun intended) isn't as devoted to Kerry, and will not know the facts that you have laid out. That's why (and this is only a PR opinion for which I am no expert) it is important that Kerry's message gets out every day, especially when the focal point right now in the big MSM are the Democrats, and particularly Democratic Senators with presidential ambitions. I'm with Mass -- this is a PR issue. In this day and age, news stories travel fast and sink fast. There's still time yet for Kerry to have his name out there in time for the pundits over the weekend, but as it is, the situation in Lebanon is already beginning to eclipse Lieberman, and by next week, this story will be on the backburner and the opportunity will have been lost.

True -- this isn't fatal. '08 is a long way off, but the Kerry people need to be a well greased machine by then, and these early little posturing games are a good way for them to get good at this. Once again -- I'm sitting here quarterbacking a game I'm not playing -- but sometimes an "outside the bubble" perspective can be helpful once in a while, right??

Edited to add: Just read the press release down below (really liked it a lot). So now I will have to turn my own advice onto, well, us bloggers -- that we get this info out far and wide in the blogosphere. Damnit to hell that his name wasn't on the Kos List -- how do we correct this?

[TayTay]

22. I disagree

The rush to be 'first' to apend your name to someone else is a false and silly argument. Kerry was there for the voters of Connecticut and as a strong Democrat on July 5th of this year. He has been asked about this repeatedly since and has been strong in his opinion: Let the voters decide. 'nuff said.

What irritates me is the idea that somehow John Kerry is deficient because he hasn't been crawling up Ned Lamont's back this morning trying to usurp Lamont's moment in the sun. God, Kerry has been vocal, outspoken and unwavering in his support for democracy and letting the people choose their nominees. I think it's disengenuous to suggest that he has to be 'the first' one to do what he has already been doing: supporting Democrats. (Who has given more money to Dems this cycle?)

Gawd, there is a line between putting out support for someone and imposing yourself on their victory. One is a good thing to do and show solidarity. The other is gross and insulting and selfish. I think Kerry has done this just right. It's Lamont's victory after all, not his.

[beachmom]

24. Okay -- agree to disagree (and really just on timing)

I really do believe in speed, but we're in agreement that Kerry has been right about this for well over a month. But if you notice in comments on DU and even Kos, many don't remember what he did and do need to be re-reminded. Oh well -- I'm happier now that the press release is out, and Whometense was kind enough to put it out on GD and Kos.

[ProSense]

2. Bayh endorsed Lamont

over who the Republican and the Independent?

I want to know which Democrat is going to withhold supporting the Democratic candidate. He is THE candidate, this is not the primary.

[wisteria]

11. Edwards? I heard it was Bahy last night. Anyway, this is just to align

themselves on the right side. Edwards is being promoted big time so it doesn't surprise me that he is being presented as being the first.
As Tay Tay said, Senator Kerry has said several times in media interviews that he was not choosing sides during this primary, but would support the winner. As a matter of fact, he took some heat (what else is new) for staying neutral when in fact he had gotten involved in other primaries and supported one candidate over the other.

I think I will go onto Kos and set the record straight. Kerry was on board with the winner long before those mentioned decided to even comment on the race.

[whometense]

13. Kerry's press release

hot off the wire:

John Kerry on Ned Lamont’s Victory in Democratic Senate Primary in Connecticut



Below is a statement by John Kerry on Ned Lamont’s victory in the Connecticut Democratic Senate primary. Kerry said on July 5th that he would support the Democratic nominee in Connecticut, and he supports Ned Lamont, the Democratic nominee for the United States Senate.



“After an intense and competitive primary season, Connecticut Democrats have chosen their nominee and they’ve made a strong statement about the current course in Iraq which is failing our troops. I strongly support Ned Lamont for the United States Senate.



"I’ve worked with Joe Lieberman since our days in college together, and I respect his many contributions to our public life. But the Democratic Party stands for something, and the Democratic Party in Connecticut has made a choice. That choice will matter in November to the direction of our Party and the direction of our country. The events of the past months make even more clear the differences Democratic leadership would make for our country on Iraq, in making America safer, in having an economy that works for everyone, and in achieving energy independence. That’s who we are as Democrats, and that’s what we’ll be fighting for. It’s time for all Democrats to come together to support Ned Lamont. It’s time for Democrats to unite.”



###

[ProSense]

14. It is perfect! Thanks

Unity is the call. Please post in GD-P. Thanks.

[whometense]

15. will do.

here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2767641

[wisteria]

16. Wonderful words.

He must of somehow understood that he needed to make it clear he stated his intentions on July 5th.
Can someone post this on Kos?

[whometense]

17. sure, I will.

here: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/8/9/101512/7065

[wisteria]

18. Thanks! n/t

[beachmom]

21. What is grounds for troll rating at Kos?

I am trying to be nice but the anti-Israel vitriol just entered Whometense's diary (Israel - Death March isn't that nice?), and I found it completely inappropriate. I told the commenter to drop that discussion -- if he/she says anymore, I think I may go for the guns. Am I overreacting on this issue, because it REALLY upsets me that people are equating Israelis with the Nazis/Japanese from WWII.

[wisteria]

23. Go ahead and troll whoever it is. Their comments are actually accusations

of the worse kind.

[whometense]

25. I think the grounds are pretty stringent -

you have to suspect that the person is really an interloper trying to disrupt - as offensive as that comment might have been, I don't think it qualifies. You slapped them down pretty sharply, though. Well done.

[beachmom]

26. Actually, the Kos software is so funny -- my trusted user status

keeps coming in and out. Not sure if I can troll rate now, even though I could an hour ago!! Yeah, this is a tough issue, because the person was not a right winger -- they were a lefty Israel hater, who technically, I suppose, is not a troll. DU is basically Freeperville for me now re: Israel, but as Kos is more moderate, I wonder if he can do anything about how people talk about Israel. Criticize the policy? Fine. Get hateful? No way. And also, there is another party at war there called Hezbollah, who seems to have gotten a pass by the lefty extremists.

Anyway, don't want to bore you with all of this -- it's just something I feel very strongly about, and feel really out of sorts in the left blogosphere as of late.

[whometense]

27. That's okay -

I have a ridiculously low user number at Kos (3004!!!) and I have never, as far as I know, had Trusted User status. I always wanted to attribute it to my pro-Kerry positions, but that's probably not so. ;-)

[saracat]

20. Thank You! This is beautiful!