Senator Joe Lieberman Watch: Lieberman Will Run as an Independent if He Loses Democrat Primary
Senators John McCain and Joe Lieberman
AP: Lieberman may campaign as independent
U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman, facing a stronger-than-expected Democratic primary challenge and sagging poll numbers because of his support of the Iraq war, said Monday he’ll collect signatures to run as an unaffiliated candidate if he loses next month’s primary.
“While I believe that I will win the Aug. 8 primary, I know there are no guarantees in elections,” Lieberman told reporters on the steps of Connecticut’s statehouse Monday. “No one really knows how many Democrats will come out to vote on what may be a hot day in August.”
Lieberman said if he loses the primary, he would run in November as a petitioning Democrat. He said he plans to remain part of the Democratic caucus in the Senate if re-elected.
“I want the opportunity to put my case before all the people of Connecticut in November,” Lieberman said.
The Lefties in Connecticut and the blogosphere continue to eat one of their own. Welcome to the GOP (well, sort of) Senator.
Former Connecticut State Democratic Party Chairman George Jepsen, left, gives his endorsement to Ned Lamont, right, at a news conference outside the state Capitol in Hartford, Conn., Monday, June 19, 2006. Lamont is challenging incumbent three-term Democratic U.S. Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman for the nomination to run for the U.S. Senate from Connecticut.
Lieberman will be re-elected Senator from Connecticut.
Wonder what the LEFT will do to Hillary who has similar views on the Iraq War? Don’t count Al Gore out.
Markos Moulitsas “Screw Them†Zuniga and Lamont in Hartford. And the cursing at KOS (H/T Althouse)
Captain Ed has Lieberman Starts His Independent Bid
The Lamont Blog has a response one could not describe as measured or even accurate:
In addition, Joe has just created a world of shit for his supposed friends Harry Reid, Chuck Schumer, Chris Dodd, Diane Farrell, Joe Courtney, and Chris Murphy. I wonder what they all think of this.This is how he treats his friends. This is how he treats his party. On the slowest news day of the summer.
These are the actions of a very weak candidate, and a selfish and cowardly man.
What a sorry sight to see an 18-year incumbent senator running scared from a little primary challenge like this. No backbone. No courage. No integrity.
And not a Democrat anymore, either.
Lieberman remains a Democrat, even with the independent bid, especially since he’s committed to caucusing with the Democrats if elected. While one can understand why the Lamont campaign would want to make hay of both the announcement and its timing, the assignment of cowardice seems more than just a little ironic. Lieberman hasn’t pulled out of the primary, after all; he still plans on contesting it. More to the point, the entire reason for Lamont’s campaign and its surprisingly large following is that Lamont wants an immediate retreat from Iraq, cutting and running rather than fight the terrorists in the one place that even Osama understands as the center stage of the war on terror. Throwing around accusations of cowardice seems a bit odd under the circumstances.
I suspect that Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid will have some uncomfortable moments in the next few weeks. Undoubtedly they will hope that Lieberman will win the primary and let them off the hook. They may do more than just hope, which may result in a nasty split between the hard-Left and the DLC factions, just as the midterms approach. It looks like the Democrats may well wind up with the split that appeared imminent in the GOP until a couple of weeks ago
Captain Ed is RIGHT. There will be a dilemma that will cause a schism between the hard left netroot Kossaks on the one hand and the mainstream DNC operatives on the other. This intraparty split cannot be helpful to a party who seeks majority status. Fundraising would be especially hurt.
Moreover, a Lamont win in the primary will drive many maintream Democrats to the door and barring a few will vote for Lieberman anyway. How will this help the GOP? It will tie up resources that would otherwise go to other races e.g. Montana.
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Senator Joe Lieberman Watch: Independent Candidacy this Fall?
Senator Joe Lieberman Watch: MoveOn.org Endorses Challenger Ned Lamont
Technorati Tags: JoeLieberman, NedLamont, MoveOn.org, MarkosMoulitsasZuniga
11 Comments
Tyler
Hi Flap –
Your casual observations of what’s going on politically on the left are only a slice of the big picture.
Yes, Lieberman is a big supporter of the war, but that’s not the only reason the netroots don’t like him. In fact, Hillary Clinton, Maria Cantwell and others are reasonably supportive of the Iraq war, but are not targeted for a primary battle.
In addition to the war, Joe was the ONLY Democrat to provide Bush “bipartisan” cover for his attempted Social Security phase out. Joe voted for cloture on Alito, effectively being the vote that sent him to the Supreme Court. Joe consistently takes a position that undermines the overall Democratic message. Joe has received endorsements from Hannity, Coulter and other Republicans who want the DINO to remain in office. He’s Bush’s “favorite Democrat.”
So the netroots, not all “lefties” but many moderate Democrats as well, support Ned Lamont. Whoever wins the primary will most likely win the Senate seat in a very blue state. I don’t believe that a “petitioning Democrat” is real. Joe would run as an independent.
And no, don’t count Al Gore out. He is one of the very few people on either side of the fence that shows true leadership and a commitment to his ideals. Have you seen An Inconvenient Truth, or do you dismiss it out of hand because of the messenger?
Flap
Tyler,
The Net Loonies can do as they like but Lieberman will win as either a Dim or an Independent in the Fall.
What is Markos Moulitsas “Screw Them†Zuniga record on elections – like 0-16 or something. The Kos Netroots will make sure conservatves like me are pleased at winning elections for the foreseeable future.
And, nope, did not see Al Gore’s movie. Why sould I? There are so many better films to see. It bombed out anyway.
Please, oh please let Al Gore run against Hillary in the Dims primary for President.
Tyler
Hi Flap –
You are becoming more shrill everytime we correspond. You are using more derogatory comments and you are dismissing me with a wave of the hand. I realize you don’t have respect for me and my opinions, despite the fact I never get angry, I never call names, I back up my positions with links and support and I try to engage in a dialogue.
We live in such a polarized society, and it starts from the top down. From 90% approval to 35% approval. Total distrust on both sides. Aren’t we all Americans? How can you say that all Dems and Independents (and maybe the GOP that doesn’t march in lockstep with you) are loonies, crazy, MORONS and whatever other names you want to throw? Why can’t you admit that people have differences that can be reasonably discussed?
I like Flaps Blog, but I think I am done because your engagement on the issues is no better than Coulter, Malkin, Hannity and the others. I am tired of trite dismissal.
Feel free to come to Ojai Post anytime for conversation and consideration.
Best,
Tyler
Flap
Tyler,
I somehow feel you would be happier at the Daily Kos anyway.
But, if you ever want to mix it up again feel free to post.
Tyler
Hi Flap –
I enjoy Daily Kos. I read about thirty blogs a day.
I don’t feel we are “mixing it up” – that’s the problem. There’s no discussion. Flamethrowing is not my idea of a conversation.
Sorry and bye. Maybe I’ll stop by sometime after Lamont wins.
(by the way, Kos supported Tester & Webb, both beyond-beltway winning candidates, and even in the 2004 losing campaigns, DailyKos support forced the GOP to pour in millions into races that shouldn’t have been close. Republicans of all people should know that it takes time to put all the pieces in place for a major political shift in the country. but you can keep dismissing it as 0-16, which is not true)
Tyler
Flap
I figured you were a Kossak. Tyler, you are just as partisan and again you are welcome back anytime.
Was I wrong? Was it 0-17?
So, now tell me how many races where Markos Moulitsas “Screw Them†Zuniga supported candidates were won?
None, right?
And answer Flap this? How much money will the Democrats and the Netroots have to waste trying to beat Lieberman when he runs as an independent?
Tyler
Dear Flap –
If I am partisan, it is as I have explained: I have been completely polarized by this administration, with whom I disagree on so many issues. You can summarily dismiss me as a MORON or idiot because we don’t agree, but that is not the way I prefer to engage on issues.
re: Kos’ record: please read prior comment, where I explain he supported winning campaigns recently – Tester and Webb. Tester in particular will absolutely destroy Burns in the 2006 Montana senator race.
re: Lieberman, indie run – well its an interesting race. There are a number of beltway Democrats who have come out and said they will not necessarily support the winner of the Democratic primary. That is shocking. They would rather support an entrenched beltway candidate running as an independent rather than the winner of the Democratic primary. When you hear about “Crashing The Gate”, it basically means that the Democratic party is in large part beholden to corporate and beltway interests and not the people they are supposed to represent. And so the netroots want a return to candidates that represent the interest of their constituents.
Lieberman has a lot of Republican support. So if he runs as an independent, it is as likely that he may split the Republican vote as is likely he will split the Democratic one. He is no longer a popular senator in his own state. I personally think we are seeing a seismic shift in voter awareness and issue awareness and CT will be an interesting race. I’m not prepared to call it either way. Lamont is a talented candidate who has built his own wealth, but gives back to his community as a volunteer teacher. I like him and think he would make a good senator.
Flap
Tester and Webb have run and won in Democrat primary elections. It is not certain that they will be able to beat GOP incumbent Senators.
Interesting that left wing Kos supported Webb since he was Ronald Reagan’s Secretary of the Navy and is viewed as a conservative on most issues except the Iraq War. George Allen will beat Webb. But, he can forget about running for President in 2008 (although Flap handicaps him a good VP candidate and likely nominee)
Now, the Montana race is different but Tester is a less accomplished candidate (a music teacher, but long time Montana native) against an older incumbent Senator, Conrad Burns, who is in his 70’s. Burns is older and maybe burnt out from his association with Jack Abramoff. I haven’t seen the latest polls on this race but the Dims may snag this one.
So, Tyler, I may give you Kossaks one.
Do you have any polls from either race?
Tyler
Hey Flap –
re: Webb & Kos support – interesting but not surprising. Despite the myth that DailyKos is a bunch of treehugging far-left liberal moonbats, there is a wide spectrum of participants representing a huge swath of the political spectrum. Kos himself is far more moderate than many participants, and often gets pushback on his positions from the left of the community.
From Kos (the person, not the site):
“Webb is exactly what Daily Kos ordered for the Virginia Senate race this year. He’s my kind of candidate, and I know many people who would agree.”
Feb 13, 2006 – http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/2/13/17390/2803
“I am extremely excited about his candidacy and I’ll be taking a bigger role promoting it in the coming months. People think that because Webb was a former Navy secretary under Reagan, and because he speaks, at least rhetorically, favorably about that era, that he is somehow a right-wing Democrat. Anyone who thinks that will be pleasently surprised over the next several months. Webb is the real deal and a real progressive. Not only can we abort the budding presidential candidacy of Sen. George Allen (who is bored of being a senator and wishes he was born in Iowa), but this seat will be essential to our chances of capturing the Senate. And it’s doable.”
April 11, 2006 – http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/4/11/1809/33839
Washington Times says Allen leads 49-44 with Webb gaining.
http://washingtontimes.com/metro/20060622-111956-8211r.htm
re: Tester – yes, you are correct – he ran as an outsider, and doesn’t have the political background (some would say baggage). But he ran a smart campaign to win the primary and really resonates with Montanans as a true-blue American who has their best interest at heart.
According to Rasmussen, Tester’s lead is at 48-44 and growing.
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/2006/State%20Polls/May%202006/Montana%20Senate%20May.htm
Flap
Allen has substantial funds for his campaign and Webb is broke. Will Howard Dean and Chuck Schumer run to Webb’s rescue? Doubtful, since Dean has not been a prolific fundraiser and Shumer will have to spread his money to incumbent Senators that may be vulnerable, like Maria Cantwell in Washington.
I would think Conrad Burns would also be leading dramatically in the fundraising area. And the Culture of Corruption argument against an incumbent Senator seems to be dying on the vine in light of William Jefferson’s troubles with the cold hard cash found in his freezer.
Certainly, Webb is within striking range but Allen is popular, young and good looking and southern voters generally do not throw out incumbents with those attributes. Money will be better spent in the Lieberman race, since you know the GOP will spend there.
Tyler
Hi Flap –
Webb has an uphill battle, agreed, but overall the President, the war, and both houses are not popular. IF the Dems can get their message together, they stand to take a lot of seats, ala the GOP & the Contract with America.
re: William Jefferson – he’s a crook, flat out. But he’s out there alone, not part of the “culture” which pervades the GOP. As you mentioned earlier, Conrad has his Abramoff issues, and he’s not the only one.
re: Dean – actually his fundraising has been quite excellent – I’d put him up against Liddy Dole any day.
“When compared with fund-raising in the most recent non-election year, Dean has raised more money in raw dollars, and more in comparison to the Republican National Committee (RNC), than did his predecessor… Officials estimate that $12 million of the $14 million the Dean regime has collected so far this year has come from those who gave less than $250. “For people who really look hard at the numbers, he’s wowing people,” says Elaine Kamarck, a respected DNC member.””
http://mediamatters.org/items/200506170001
However, with the 50-state strategy, that money gets spread pretty thin. So in the short term, there will be some tough decisions on who to back aggresively, but in the long run, the Democratic party will be much stronger for Howard Dean’s efforts.
Off to run errands. I enjoy this much more. Hope you do too.
Tyler