Will Lieberman's candidacy hurt democrats nationally?

[fishwax]

A viable third party candidate in connecticut means that democrats must allocate resources in that race that wouldn't otherwise be necessary and could be put to better use in tight races around the country--races that might actually swing senate control to the democrats.

Despite statements from Schumer, et al supporting Democratic Nominee Ned Lamont in this race, I wouldn't think the DSCC, etc. would be eager to throw money at Lamont to fend off joe, and I have no idea how much national money will flow into CT to ensure a democratic victory. But the fact remains that a three-way race will drain a lot more races than a Lamont-schlesinger race would. Those resources could be better spent in other states, helping Democrat candidates take seats from republicans in the senate and in the house.

Lieberman's decision to run as an independent is not just a selfish rejection of the state party and infrastructure which created him, it is also makes democratic efforts to retake the senate more difficult.

[AX10]

1. Ned Lamont can spend his own money on this race.

[WI_DEM]

2. you're right that it means we will have to spend more than necessary

but I think Lamont and the net will be able to raise enough money and won't peril other closely watched Senate seats. I think the committee won't spend a ton of money since (supposedly) if Joe wins he will still caucus with the Democrats.

[fishwax]

6. i agree the committee won't spend a ton of money

but even the money that lamont and the net would raise would be better spent elsewhere. I'd rather have net money going to Sherrod Brown or Jon Carter to flip a seat, rather than going to Ned Lamont to retain a safe democratic seat.

By this point, we should be able to focus on beating republicans, rather than joe liebermans. And with that in mind, I think the dem leadership ought to really put the screws to lieberman to get him to withdraw.

[MissWaverly]

3. we don't need Lieberman bad mouthing us

like he did Maxine Waters this morning, it's time to say Good night, Joe.

[long_green]

4. Yes, it will

That is why merely expressing "support" for Lamont, or even writing him a small check, as the campaign committe of Hillary Clinton did late last night, is inadequate. The independent run by Lieberman must be portrayed as what it is....harmful to the Democrat's chances of winning back either or both houses of Congress. He is hurting the party and this must be said publicly.

on edit: failing to do the utmost to stop Lieberman will also be disastrous to any Democrat's chances in November of 2008. The electoral map is stacked against us (with more states-and their electoral votes being firmly in GOP control); we cannot throw away a state such as Connectict and that is what will happen if you tell the hardcore Democrats who voted Lieberman out that they don't count. If I were one of them, I would strongly consider abandoning the Dem nominee to his/her fate (in the event I describe, of course).

[VolcanoJen]

5. Lieberman's not going to have a candidacy.

I'm tellin' ya, in a few weeks, Joe's gonna wake up and smell the reality.

There is simply no mechanism for an independent Senate bid by Joe Lieberman. It's not going to happen. The money's not there, the support isn't there. All those fools standing on the stage behind him yesterday? They'll be gone by the end of the week.

His campaign staffers? I'll wager there are still some Democrats among them, and they're going to leave Joe, because they have political careers they're working on, and they can't afford to be blackballed by the party just to satisfy Joe's ego.

Joe won't run. He's all hat, no cattle. In a few weeks, he'll give one of those sobering, "After much reflection, I've decided to spend more time with my family, work for the causes I am most passionate about, and throw my support behind the Democratic nominee for Senate."

[Little Star]

11. BINGO. His campaign manager would not even commit

last night when Tweety asked him if he was going to stay with an independent. He hedged big time.

[fishwax]

17. I'm inclined to agree with you, actually

I said much the same thing in a thread about how much of his primary support he would retain. There is going to be a lot of pressure on joe in the coming weeks, both pressure from the party (because his candidacy is bad for the party nationally) and the pressure of the realities you've outlined.

Joe wouldn't have gotten where he is without the infrastructure of the CT democratic party, and now he's rejected that infrastructure. No way he can construct a substitute in the three months until election day, and I agree with you that he'll figure that out soon enough.

[DoYouEverWonder]

7. The one who will be hurt by Joe Lieberman's candidacy

is Joe Lieberman.

He's going the way of Katherine Harris real quick. In a few more weeks, no one will be returning his calls.

[Protagoras]

8. No I think Lieberman is about to suffer the Mother of all Backlashes

With his speech he buried himself last night and despite all the cheerleading from the Republican party for him...most republicans are still going to reflexively pull the R level in November...and Democrats are NOT going to defect en mass to Indy after his no class spew that should have been at least a conciliatory concession speech.

Joe is obviously out for himself and to hurt the Democratic party...and CT voters have already showed they are smart enough to see through it. Joe is going down.

[fishwax]

20. oh, i definitely think lamont will win

and lieberman, if he stays in, will lose for the reasons you mention. But his presence in the race is a distraction of time, energy, and money for candidates across the country that need those resources. Lieberman deserves the mother of all backlashes, and the democratic leadership ought to make it clear that not only do they support lamont as the democratic nominee, but also that lieberman's candidacy undermines democratic efforts to reclaim the house and senate.

As for joe, he's been losing for years, and that ain't going to change in november.

[sandnsea]

9. The worst part is his slanderous comments

The last thing someone like Claire McKaskill or John Tester needs is Joe Lieberman ranting about the left taking over the party. Of course, they also don't need Michael Moore ranting about the takeover by the far left either. Still, Lieberman says this stuff on cable news which reaches the exact voters Tester and others need to win. Joe just needs to go.

[MissWaverly]

12. Yes, Joe, enough already, please just go

Like I said before, maybe the Decider in Chief, can name you to a cabinet post for your loyalty.

[fishwax]

18. I think that's the very same attitude that cost him the nomination in the

first place. Sure, voters were turned off by his support of the war, etc., but it was really his rhetoric about people in his very own party that sparked such outrage.

[Skidmore]

10. I think he will go the way of Zell. Muttering inanities to himself

and trotted out by the Rs when they need a token Dem who agrees with them and thinks * is cute and cuddly.

[Johonny]

13. Depends

I think it depends how local canidates use Lieberman in their own races. Since the national media will follow the race. To me as a local canidate trying to win a only my state I can see benifits. Mostly it can be used to draw in the "both parties are the same voter" that has been swaying republican for 15 years now. I think I would use Joementum as case example # 1 that Democrats are cleaning up there party of the neocon lites and the Democrats will be a viable force against the White House if elected. I think this race shows what canidates across the nation need to do to win in Nov. Pin Bush and your opponent together. Clearly Bush is a lodestone come November. If he can sink a "safe" dem think what his name should do to on the bubble rethugs.

[Bonhomme Richard]

14. Yes, if he keeps repeating republican sound bites. n/t

[Tesha]

15. Yes -- Clarity of message is what we've been lacking and Lieberman...

Yes -- Clarity of message is what we've been lacking and
Lieberman's presence and speech will help ensure that our
message STILL can't get through the media's wall of
bullshit and pandering to Republicans.

Tesha

[Symphony of Freedom]

16. nope...

Once they see Rove, Americans will realise how fucking pathetic Loserman is.,

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

19. I'm hoping that Joementum's continued presence on the stage will be a

galvanizing force, remind those Democrats who are TIRED of not being represented to push for representative government in the election.