A Deciding Factor: Lieberman's OP-ED in the WSJ

[Avalux]

On November 17, 2005 Rep. John Murtha stood on the floor of the House of Representatives and fired a shot. That shot, a call for troop redeployment out of Iraq, was a moment that caused Democrats to sit up and take notice. As a former supporter of the Iraq War and a hawkish Democrat, Murtha's speech was a symbol of the changing war sentiment among the people of this country.

Here are the closing words of Murtha's speech:

"Because we in Congress are charged with sending our sons and daughters into battle, it is our responsibility, our OBLIGATION to speak out for them. That's why I am speaking out.

"Our military has done everything that has been asked of them, the U.S. can not accomplish anything further in Iraq militarily. IT IS TIME TO BRING THEM HOME."

http://www.democracyrising.us/content/view/368/151/

A couple of weeks later, an Op-Ed piece penned by Joe Lieberman appeared in the Wall Street Journal titled "Our Troops Must Stay". It was seen as a direct response and counter to Murtha's speech and the wave of controversy it caused. In his article, Lieberman provided a very compelling, and very Republican-sounding argument about why we must not pull out of Iraq. His idealizations and descriptions about the amazing progress that's been made was in full lockstep with the neocons. He also expressed his disappointment at Democrats who would dare question Bush's decision to go to war. Here's the entire article:

http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110007611

It was not long after this that Ned Lamont made the decision to run against Lieberman.

Regardless of what the media tries to say and those who would argue that Lieberman should not have been judged based on this war stance - that's how it came down. Lieberman not only supported the war (and still does), but actively spoke out against another Democrat showing his true colors in support of a failed policy and an administration that lied to the American people.

The good Democats of Connecticut fired Lieberman and he has no one to blame but himself.

[Cha]

1. And from what I've read..

Lamont tried to get others to run against lieberman in the Dem primary but after no one would he decided to do it himself.

[Avalux]

2. I'm glad he did.

I really like the guy - he's done something no one has done in 26 years.

[kentuck]

3. I think he made a strategic mistake when...

he announced early on that he would run as an "Independent" if he were to lose the primary. I think that one statement opened the eyes of a lot of traditional Democrats that had voted for Lieberman in the past. They saw how quick he was to desert his Party and that turned off a lot of voters. I think that was the difference in the race...

[Justice Is Comin]

4. Lamont went to 8 churches without any announcement or

media presence. Don't underestimate that either. That showed class.

[Avalux]

5. That certainly contribruted,

as did "The Kiss". I think Lieberman did not believe he could ever lose that seat - his announcement to run as an independent before the election was a horrible miscalculation.

[Avalux]

6. kick for afternoon. n/t

:kick: