Ned Lamont needs to get off his ass and start campaigning

[NewJeffCT]

Ned Lamont and his campaign people really need to get off their asses!

Since his upset victory over Joe Lieberman, it almost seems like the campaign has shut down. Since that early August day, I have not seen any new Ned Lamont yard signs until this week. I drive a long ways to work each day from east of Hartford to west of Hartford. Since there is no direct route, I have to travel a lot of busy streets and I have not seen anything new. And, I often go different routes just to check for these things. (qualification – I did put one up in my yard, so that is one!)

I have seen some new signs for Lieberman, I'm sticking with Joe has popped up in numerous places along my routes.

But, before the primary, it seemed like there were Ned Lamont signs everywhere along my route. Every busy intersection on Rte 83, Cottage Grove Road/Rte 218, Rte 185, Rte 10, Rte 4, etc seemed to have them. I read on DailyKos that Lamont has a great "ground game" – but it seems to have gotten stuck in the mud. Where is the evidence of this ground game?

I have also not heard any Ned Lamont ads on radio since before the primary, until this week. I have heard Lieberman ads, and ads from a group supporting Rob Simmons, and the vicious attack ads from Nancy Johnson, but nothing from Lamont, or any other Dems in the state, for that matter. I do not watch local TV, so I could not tell you if Lamont has had a TV presence at all.

Since his big primary victory, Lamont made the rounds on the local and national talk shows, but I have not heard him on WTIC-AM 1080 since. WTIC is the most powerful station in Connecticut and has two Ned-friendly guys on in the afternoon in Bruce & Colin. Before the primary, Ned was on the air quite often. I have not heard him since the primary, however. I will qualify that by saying that I have not heard every minute of every show. But, normally I catch the end where they say "and thanks to so-and-so for appearing" and did not hear Ned Lamont, Tom Swan, Lowell Weicker, etc, on with them.

Since his "concession" speech, Lieberman has been on the attack, on the air, and in the news, while Lamont has seemingly shut it down.

It is still way too early to pack it in, but it seems Lieberman has had the momentum since a week before the primary. Remember, with one week to go before the primary, Lamont was up by 14 in the Q-poll. A day before the primary, Lamont was up only 6, and then won by 4. A recent poll had Lieberman up by 20!

If we don't turn it around soon, it may be too late. The Lamont campaign really needs to kick it into high gear as soon as possible.

[WI_DEM]

1. lets not panic

it seems to me that (at least according to his website) he has been campaigning. But he needs to change his message! He needs to say it straight--"A Vote for Joe Lieberman is a vote for a continuation of Bush policies" he also has to say "Can you trust Joe that he will remain in the democratic caucus if he wins--given that he couldn't accept the results of the primary." He needs to get at least 80% or more of the Dem vote to win--but he needs to get more aggresive with Lieberman.

p.s.
When is big dog Clinton going to come in and do a rally or two with Lamont. His appeareance with Lieberman a few days before the primary seemed to help Joe who was ten points down. Maybe he could do the same with Lamont among waivering Democrats?

[AndyA]

2. If I lived in Connecticut, there would be no doubt in my mind how I'd vote

in November: NED LAMONT!

Lieberman is not trustworthy, he supports the Bush agenda, and he's proven that time and time again.

[MrCoffee]

3. Coming from a CT'er, you've scared the hell out of me.

[NewJeffCT]

5. well, it's like night & day from before the primary

It's almost like he shut it down on August 1st and has been coasting ever since.

[MrCoffee]

6. Did the DSCC move in to town or what?

[shadowknows69]

16. I think the media shut it down for him

It's all Joementum all the time on the MSM.

[Nye Bevan]

4. Am I crazy for thinking that Ned should visit Iraq?

Possibly with Dianne Farrell?

I agree with you, Ned has been completely out of the headlines since the primary and there is certainly an impression that he is resting on his laurels.

A trip to Iraq would generate a huge amount of publicity as well as remind people of the failed policies that Joe supports.

[NewJeffCT]

7. As ordinary citizens, can they get a Visa to Iraq?

Unless they signed up to work at CACI or Halliburton, I think it would be difficult.

[Nye Bevan]

11. If Ned requests a visa to visit Iraq and is refused

then that should generate almost as much publicity as if he actually went there. Bear in mind that Shays has made (I think) about 20 trips to Iraq. Refusing Ned a visa would look like an attempt to conceal how bad the situation there is.

[Justice Is Comin]

8. There are two things.

There is enough 'out with Joe' sentiment to more than do the job. Lamont is just as wise to hold off a major offensive until about two weeks before rather than using up money now.

I suspect that's just what is happening. The Democratic patriot missiles will be showing up in force about Oct 20th. And other thing that has been silent is the sure fire killer--the kiss mobile.

I bet anything they will be cranked up again for the last two weeks and it will start that slide to a Lamont win.

[MrCoffee]

12. All the polls i've seen have Holy Joe up at least 15

granted, i'm on the other side of the country and have no idea what the CT buzz is like, but the polls all seem to be pretty solidly Joe. I haven't seen much movement since the primary, which is a really bad sign.

[JerseygirlCT]

9. I think money may be an issue.

Which sucks.

But doesn't explain no media appearances.

You're right; I've been thinking the same thing.

[NewJeffCT]

10. I'd pull a Ross Perot

Buy 30 minutes on a local TV station, publicize the hell out of it, and introduce himself to voters. Show them where he is different from Lieberman.

[femmedem]

17. That is an excellent idea.

Have you mentioned it to Lamont HQ?

[NewJeffCT]

19. I'm flattered that you think it's a good idea

I was happy this morning to see Lamont on the front page of the Courant with Ted Kennedy...

Will they do the same with Wes Clark & John Kerry when they come to town?

[FrenchieCat]

13. Lamont campaigning with Gen. Clark in two rallies tomorrow

Uofconn!

http://nedlamont.com/blog/1640/general-wesley-clark-comin-to-town
http://www.nedlamont.com/page/event/detail/rallies/wrvb


Start: Oct 6 2006 - 9:15am
End: Oct 6 2006 - 9:45am
description:
General Clark and Ned Lamont will meet with veterans from the McEvoy Dempsey Post # 10585, Veterans of Foreign Wars in Derby, CT.

McDonalds, 44 Division St. Derby, CT 06418

Location:
McDonalds, 44 Division St. Derby, CT 06418
calendar
http://securingamerica.com/node/1622
----------------------------------------------------------

Start: Oct 6 2006 - 1:30pm
End: Oct 6 2006 - 2:30pm
description:
Join General Wesley Clark campaigning with Ned Lamont at a campaign rally at UConn!

Directions:

From the West (heading through or from Hartford): Take Interstate 84 East to Exit 68. From exit, take a right onto Route 195, 7 miles to UConn.

From the East (heading from Boston toward Hartford): Take Interstate 84 West to Exit 68. From exit, take a left onto Route 195, and follow directions above. From the Southeast Interstate 95 to 395 North. Take Exit 81 West to Route 32 North. Follow Route 32 North to Willimantic. In town, turn right and go over bridge. Continue straight through the light and follow 195 North for 8 miles to campus.

Location:
UConn, Hillside Rd, Between Gambel Pavilion & the Student Union, Storrs, CT
http://securingamerica.com/node/1604

[NewJeffCT]

14. Hopefully, it will make the news

My home is 20 minutes from UConn, but I can't take time during the workday...

[femmedem]

15. A lot of it is the press.

You read the Journal Inquirer, which is giving Lamont's campaign great coverage. But the AP and most of the local papers lead with Joe Joe Joe, no matter what Lamont does.

Lamont calls press conferences, issues great statements, campaigns with big names, and my paper, The Day, runs nothing. Nothing.

Maybe he needs to have a press conference right outside Lieberman's office to be noticed.

[MrCoffee]

18. Why doesn't he?

If you're getting bad coverage, make them cover you. If we use the "MSM won't let us play" argument, we've given up.

[femmedem]

21. I've been wondering how to do that...

Not that I'm part of the official campaign beyond a little canvassing, etc.

Speaking with veterans who support him? Nothing. Denouncing Lieberman's vote on torture? NOthing. Releasing a major policy position? Um, the big news is Joe Lieberman knocked on a few doors, 'cause he's the outsider w/o party support, poor guy. My paper didn't even mention that Ted Kennedy was here for him today. Pathetic.

Do you have any ideas? Maybe it isn't up to the campaign...maybe it's up to people like me to protest oh, say, Lieberman's joking around about those silly Geneva Conventions and hahahah torturing Democratic elected officials (yes, he did this, yesterday on Imus: "I particularly appreciate your interrogating other Democratic elected officials, and I'm very comforted that your interrogations aren't covered by Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions."

I e-mail my local editors pointing out paragraph by paragraph pro-Lieberman bias, I forward good stories to reporters and columnists. I don't know what else to do.

[MrCoffee]

23. Rassmusen has him 10 points down...i'd say anything goes.

[femmedem]

31. Here's a good example of the press ignoring what Lamont does.

Did you read Kennedy to Lieberman:STFU , top of the Greatest Page? You know, where Kennedy stood next to Lamont and lambasted Lieberman for daring to call himself part of the Truman/JFK branch of the Democratic party?

This is what Jennifer Medina of the NYTimes wrote about the event: Kennedy "steered clear of criticizing Lieberman directly."

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/05/nyregion/05lieberman.html?_r=1&ref=politics&oref=slogin

With coverage like that, no wonder Lamont is behind in the polls.:mad:

[FrenchieCat]

20. Could be a great idea! He could ask Lieberman what he thinks

of Woodward's new book or somethin'...right there in front of Lieberman's office....Or send Lieberman a list of questions and spread it through the netroots! :)

[NewJeffCT]

22. Lieberman will say it's more partisan politics

That "libera" Woodward is so insidious that he's had inside access to both Nixon & Bush 2...

[NCarolinawoman]

24. I have only viewed two of his commercials (over at Kos)

Ned's were kind of "cutesy", talking about Lieberman not being a real Democrat. Considering the escalating tragedy of the Iraq War, I would think it would be time for a really heavy hitting ad.

The ad should be similar to James Webb's ad: Bush saying "Stay the Course", then a clip of Lieberman saying the same thing, or Lieberman saying how wonderful Bush is. All of this juxtaposed against real clips showing the horror in Iraq, and the cost in lives and money.

Here's a little story for you: Recently I was visiting relatives in Eastern North Carolina, which is about the reddest part of this reddish state. Here is what I witnessed: I had MSNBC on and my aunt, who voted for Bush, stopped in front of the screen while they were talking about Bush's low popularity ratings. My aunt said, "37%"! You deserve it, you Bozo!"

Surely the people of Connecticut feel what my Aunt in North Carolina feels. Tie the idiot to Lieberlooser!

[Pale Blue Dot]

25. Have you volunteered, Jeff?

Well I have, and I can tell you the Lamont is out campaigning harder than ever, and filling tons of requests for lawn signs daily. We are also getting numerous reports of lawn signs stolen (many supporters have had 3 or 4 stolen already), which the police refuse to do anything about.

Have you checked this out, Jeff?

www.nedlamont.com/events

The man is campaigning tirelessly. Tomorrow he's having a rally with Gen. Wesley Clark. Will you be there? Are you going to complain to the media about their lack of coverage of Lamont events? Have you made phone calls, or donated money?

www.nedlamont.com/donate

Next time, I suggest you get all of the facts and examine your own complicity before you post dreck like this on DU.

I'm sorry, but I'm working a full-time, odd hour job and still donating 8-10 hours a week to the campaign, and this really pisses me off.

[NewJeffCT]

26. He's not getting his message out

That's the problem. Before the primary, he was getting his message out. Now, it is not getting out for some reason - and, yes I have written the media and donated money. If he's campaigning that hard and his message is not being heard, he needs to do something different to get heard again.

But, why have I not seen any TV commercials since the primary? The only place I see them is when they are linked to YouTube on DU or DailyKos. Why have I not heard any radio spots until this week? Why have I not even seen any new Ned Lamont yard signs to be stolen? Normally, they last a day or two or three before being stolen. Why was he a regular on Bruce & Colin on WTIC before the primary, but I have not heard him since?

To me, that is a problem.

[Pale Blue Dot]

27. While I was calling Democrats and Independents last night,

I had a Lieberman supporter complain about Ned's ads. She said she was sick of them, she sees them everywhere, and she thought Ned came off like an "arrogant know-it-all."

So, what I'm saying is, some people are seeing his ads.

[NewJeffCT]

28. I'm sure it's possible

I've been working way too many hours the past few weeks...

But, is she sick of Ned Lamont ads, or is she hearing Lieberman complain about Lamont's negative campaign?

And, in regards to volunteering - I am probably the last person you'd want calling up people about Ned Lamont. I'd probably be more effective for Lamont if I phone banked for Lieberman! I'm not joking. I do have a stack of yard signs to put up - hopefully tomorrow. I'll have to see if I can get some Joe Courtney ones, too.

[Pale Blue Dot]

29. Cool! Sorry for the rant.

I am an effective caller for Lamont, which means I have to swallow my rage at some of the ridiculous things that Lieberman supporters say. I guess I'm a little irritable right now.... :thumbsup:

[NewJeffCT]

30. No problem - it's important

and, I'm probably frustrated from too much work lately - it's not fun to get home at 12:45AM after having gotten in at 8:00am the previous morning, and then having to get up again at 5:30am to do it all over again.