Comments on: Contrary Opinion on Lamont vs. Lieberman

By: JayTea

JayTea — Mon, 22 May 2006 11:05:22 +0000

Hmm… Joe Lieberman is, to Oliver, “the most odious Democrat.” Worse than former Ku Klux Klan leader and king of pork Robert Byrd. Worse than lady-killer Ted Kennedy. Worse, even, than neo-Nazi Democratic candidate for Alabama Attorney General Larry Darby.

And since Oliver posted this before the William Jefferson Clinton — sorry, force of habit there — scandal broke, I’ll give him a bye for not mentioning him.

So, a history of racism, of grotesque abuse of the federal budget process, being a neo-Nazi, even causing the death of an innocent woman and desperately trying to avoid responsibility for one’s actions are far less odious than perceived disloyalty to the Democratic Party.

Thanks for clarifying your priorities, Oliver. Uncharacteristically decent of you.

By: Dana

Dana — Sun, 21 May 2006 19:05:55 +0000

Other than Iraq, and I realize that’s a big exception for liberals, how has Joe Lieberman not been a good Democrat?

Where did you really miss his vote?

But, y’all go right ahead! As the GOP is having problems with its conservative base, go right ahead and kick out any claim to moderation that y’all might have. Perhaps you’ve heard of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory?

By: Retired Catholic

Retired Catholic — Sun, 21 May 2006 03:05:11 +0000

Getting Lamont elected will without a doubt help other Democrats on the Conn. ballot come fall. This outcome in the primary race also sends a message to the Joe Kleins and Bob Schrums of the party. It sends messages to Rahm Emmanuel, Nancy Pelosi, Hillary Cllinton, Chuck Schumer and Steny Hoyer. The Netroots have gained credibility and Begala can’t accuse the volunteers of of picking their noses in Connecticut. Lamont’s success is a moral victory and morale boost for those who want the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party to be represented by greater numbers where it counts.

By: Diamond LeGrande

Diamond LeGrande — Sun, 21 May 2006 02:05:49 +0000

I agree with Oliver. While I too detest Holt Joe, it has been depressing watching the Democrats eat their own. Let me put it this way — John Kerry campaigned harder and better against Howard Dean than he did against George Bush Jr.

By: James E. Powell

James E. Powell — Sat, 20 May 2006 21:05:12 +0000

I respectfully disagree.

First, your conclusion is based on the premise that there is a fixed amount of “energy,” by which I assume you mean activism, money, etc. Taking down Holy Joe will increase the amount of energy by clarifying the meaning of “Democrat” and by demonstrating that people can make a difference. If we call ourselves Democrats while allowing Holy Joe to do the same, we dilute and disparage ourselves. We undermine our own efforts by tolerating him; we destroy our own branding by letting him use it all over the airwaves.

Second, taking him out sends a powerful message to other elected Democrats who delight in playing the “but some Democrats” role in order to get enhance their images in the corporate press/media. Since 1980, efforts of the national Democratic Party and the Democratic presidential nominees have been consistently damaged by Democrats who serve the Republicans by their statements and conduct. We allow them to sing that song about how the party is going wrong when we should be telling the world that we threw them out because they are de facto Republicans. That is, by the way, what the Republicans do. That is why the Radical Right Republicans can, when it matters, count on the votes of Lincoln Chaffee, Olympia Snow and George Voinovich.

I think taking Holy Joe down is the most important race in the country this year. Unless and until we get some definition and clarity to the Democratic brand, and get all of our candidates working as a national team, we will continue to fail.

By: duros62

duros62 — Sat, 20 May 2006 17:05:39 +0000

Rick “Sanitorium” is doing pretty good all by himself in enabling his defeat.

By: 16

16 — Sat, 20 May 2006 07:05:23 +0000

Got to disagree with you a little, O Dub….

Beating Republicans starts with beating Joe Lieberman. Just because he calls himself a Democrat doesn’t make him one any more than Larry Darby is a Democrat.

(I agree with you about Al Gore, thoug. Although I’d bump Howard Dean up to number two and drop Russ “I trust John Ashcroft” Feingold out of the top ten.

But, then, hey& Russ is my Senator along with the equally useless, though not as clueless, Herb Kohl.

By: greylocks

greylocks — Sat, 20 May 2006 05:05:29 +0000

While I understand the concern about diverting resources, I don’t see much point in retaking control of Congress at all if we keep electing faux Democrats who enable the Republican agenda. I’ve posted a more detailed reply on my blog.