You are viewing an obsolete version of the DU website which is no longer supported by the Administrators. Visit The New DU.
Democratic Underground Latest Greatest Lobby Journals Search Options Help Login
Google

Why All Americans should now OPPOSE Lieberman [View All]

Printer-friendly format Printer-friendly format
Printer-friendly format Email this thread to a friend
Printer-friendly format Bookmark this thread
This topic is archived.
Home » Discuss » Archives » General Discussion: Presidential (Through Nov 2009) Donate to DU
UnityDem Donating Member (442 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-18-06 03:39 PM
Original message
Why All Americans should now OPPOSE Lieberman
Advertisements [?]
The Lieberman "independent" bid in the general election threatens our democratic system.
Here's why: It completely undermines the primary system. It completely undermines the party system. It is a slap in the face to "real" independent candidates.
Very few people would have blamed Joe if had not run in the democratic primary preferring to take his chances as an independent in the general election.
However, his having his cake and eating it too philosophy should anger every American.
Should Joe win the general election, what signal will that send to other potential candidates and to the electorate?
Some states do not allow for candidates to do what Joe is doing by allowing a defeated candidate to run twice for the same office in the same year.
None should allow it.
This is a slap to every person who has ever voted for a democrat, republican, green, libertarian, or member of any party. There is a reason that people vote for members of a party. There is also a reason that they vote for a true "independent" that does not embrace any party.
There is also a reason why people work for candidates of parties by volunteering their time or giving money.
Bill Clinton's slogan that all primary voters should "fall in love, then fall in line" in the general election has real merit. Those of us who work in campaigns realize this. We operate under this system. If this system is abandoned, then nothing short of political chaos will ensue. Don't like that your candidate lost in the primary, then make them run as an independent in the general or just refuse to support your party's primary winner in the general (just "sit this one out").
The only LEGITIMATE argument that those who still support Lieberman have (in my humble opinion) is that they think that the primary system is antiquated and should be dispensed with. Otherwise, if you believe in the primary system, if you believe in party labels and party distinction, then you must oppose what Lieberman is doing. It is simply UNAMERICAN! As Republicans are so fond of saying, "elections have consequences" and that should include primaries. Joe, unfortunately, doesn't believe that truism applies to him. Giving him this "do-over" is a very bad precedent to set, no matter how you feel about Joe as a Senator or about Ned Lamont or any political candidate.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 

Home » Discuss » Archives » General Discussion: Presidential (Through Nov 2009) Donate to DU

Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.1 Copyright 1997-2002 DCScripts.com
Software has been extensively modified by the DU administrators


Important Notices: By participating on this discussion board, visitors agree to abide by the rules outlined on our Rules page. Messages posted on the Democratic Underground Discussion Forums are the opinions of the individuals who post them, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Democratic Underground, LLC.

Home  |  Discussion Forums  |  Journals |  Store  |  Donate

About DU  |  Contact Us  |  Privacy Policy

Got a message for Democratic Underground? Click here to send us a message.

© 2001 - 2011 Democratic Underground, LLC