Lamont’s victory ... would only embolden the crazies in the party

[Caro]

Here, my friends, is what DC establishment types think of us ordinary citizens who dare to question their wise judgments about who should govern us. From Taegan Goddard’s Political Wire:

What Happens After Lieberman Loses?

While Connecticut’s Democratic U.S. Senate primary is still a few days away, the writing now appears to be on the wall: Sen. Joe Lieberman is going to fall to challenger Ned Lamont in the Tuesday, August 8th primary…

Lamont’s victory, however, would not be without its downside for Democrats, since it would only embolden the crazies in the party, a consideration not lost on other Democratic elected officials and strategists. (Emphasis added.)

Lieberman’s defeat is likely to add to the partisanship and bitterness that divides the country and Capitol Hill, and to generate more media attention to grassroots bomb-throwers who, down the road, are likely to make the party less appealing to swing voters and moderates. (Emphasis added.)

-- Stuart Rothenberg is editor of the Rothenberg Political Report.

Carolyn Kay
MakeThemAccountable.com

[blogslut]

1. LOL

Only crazy people want an end to this lie of a war :sarcasm:

[calico1]

3. I guess that means the majority of

Americans are crazies! Lamont is no leftie wacko. He is just someone that represents the values of most CT Democrats. All very reasonable things.

[blogslut]

5. yep

When goons -like the writer in the article by the OP- call the majority of Americans crazy, well, the desperation is showing.

[Cha]

28. I always knew I was

Crazy!~ :crazy:

[Demeter]

2. IF We Are Crazy, It's Because Enablers Like Joe Have Made Us So

One man's crazy is another's patriot. History is written by the winners, Stuart.

[marmar]

4. The crazies?

Proof positive that a good part of the Democratic establishment is as out of touch as the Republican establishment. If Lamont is leading by double-digit percentage points, then who represents the "crazies" in the party? What blind arrogance!

[leveymg]

12. The establishment, is the establishment, is The Establishment

Let the radical centrists form a third party. Here's their ticket: McCain-Lieberman '08

[Liberal In Texas]

6. Call me crazy, but I'm not the one throwing the bombs.

I want the bomb throwing to stop.

[mom cat]

21. Exactly!

[pajjr]

7. I agree

It would make it harder for Dem's to govern! Even though lieberman can be annoying he is a dem asset. It is the republicans who all march in lock step , not a good thing for us to emulate.

[blogslut]

8. A Dem asset?

How, exactly? Because he's a Rethug in a DINO suit? How is he helping the Democratic party? Do tell...

[paulk]

42. "Rethug in a DINO suit"

This is exactly the sort of rhetoric from the "crazies" that the author of this piece is talking about.

Believe it or not, this sort of thing is a major turnoff to a lot of voters out here in the real world.

[blogslut]

43. Well then let me rephrase

Joe Lieberman is a Republican disguised as a Democrat. - Does that turn you on?

We're in year three of an uneccessary war supported and endorsed by Joe Lieberman. - Does that turn you on?

Joe Lieberman told rape victims that if they wanted emergency contraception and the hospital refused:

"In Connecticut, it shouldn’t take more than a short ride to get to another hospital" - Does that run you on?

Joe Lieberman told every American:

"We undermine the president's credibility at our nation's peril." - Does that turn you on?

Joe Lieberman refuses to endorse the winner of the Democratic primary if that winner isn't him. In fact, he will leave the party and run as an independant if he doesn't win. - Does that turn you on?

[paulk]

45. What it does is makes me angry and less likely to listen to you -

because, whether you support him or not, saying that Joe Lieberman is a Republican disguised as a Democrat is a lie.

Outside of his position on Iraq, which I disagree with btw, Lieberman has been generally good as far as supporting Democrats. He has voted with the Democratic position over 80% of the time. How support of the Democratic position 80% of the time makes one a Republican is something I find hard to understand.




---------------------------------


I have no idea what "turning me on" has to do with this discussion. It's a juvinile debating tactic on your part, and doesn't advance your argument.

[blogslut]

49. Not a lie

My opinion.

Joe Lieberman became a Republican when he became a cheerleader for the bogus Iraq war. He became a Republican when he told me to shut up and do what our sorry pretend president says. He became a Republican when he refused to listen to science and chose to pander to passion -when he joined the "Keep Terry Schiavo Alive" club. He became a Republican when he told myself and every woman in America that if we get raped and we want emergency contraception -take a ride sweetheart. He became a Republican when he decided his career was more important than the Democratic party. You remember, the one he'll desert in order to run as an independant?

---------------------------------


You said:

"...this sort of thing is a major turnoff to a lot of voters..."

Those are your words. I took your words and I presented their opposite meaning while I addressed your question. It's been a while since high school debate but I do believe that is a valid debating tactic.

[paulk]

59. ok , it's your opinion

On Meet the Press this morning, Congressional Quarterly reported that in 2005, Lieberman voted with the Democrats 90% of the time.

Those are facts. I base my opinions on facts. It's my opinion that Joe Lieberman is a Democrat - whose positions on several issues I disagree with.

-------------


re: on the "turn off/turn on thing - I addressed a group of people - you turned it around and used it on me personally. It's a tactic that's meant to demean your opponent. And it's a tactic that I've seen used extensively against Lieberman on the internet by Lamont supporters; ie, "he's a Rethug dressed in a DINO suit".

Truth be told, if I lived in CT, at this point I would most likely vote for Lamont - but, frankly, I have been appalled at the tactics of the anti-Lieberman,at least so far as it's been been waged on the net. And I agree with the writer of the article in the OP - in the long run these sort of, what I find dishonest, tactics, will hurt the Democratic Party.

[calico1]

10. Oh yes, of course!

It makes it much easier for Dems when a fellow Dem votes with Republicans and gets all kissy huggy with them, bashes fellow Dems, ignores his constituents and threatens to bolt the Party if his constituents don't vote for him in the primary.

:eyes: :sarcasm:

[Oversea Visitor]

9. Aaaaah

You mean people choice dangerous. :rofl:

Hmmmm

You mean elected representative dont like the buck up or buck out no nonsense approach.

Have they work before?

In real life one get the sack if one do not perform.

Geee wonder who is boss who is worker here.

Geee who paying for all their salary.

This guy talking nonsense

Fact is many republican this NOV end up voting dem

Geee

You can fool some of the people sometimes
But you can not fool all the people all the times

Mad bush use this words but did not understand the meaning

[droidamus2]

11. Yeah, right...

Isn't it funny that when people from the far-right throw bombs that makes them the strong core of the Republican party, but when left wing progressives throw bombs that makes us weak and divided. This idea that we have to placate the middle to win elections is wrong. What we need to do is have a strong core of convictions that we are willing to stand up and fight for and convince those in the middle that our ideas are better for them than the right wingers. People and voters respect those that truly believe in what they campaign on not those that shift with the wind to try to pick up a few votes. By moving to the center all you do is lose the activists in your party and play the Republicans game. Progressives/Liberals believe in helping all US citizens to have a better economic life, environment, spiritual life and so many other admirable things that we should be able to sell this to the public not become some wishy-washy conservative light. I urge moderates to stay in or join the Democrats because in the end it will be better for you and yours, but realize we are a progressive party and we will not conservatize (is that a word?) ourselves just to make you feel more comfortable.

[Amonester]

38. Very well said! Welcome to DU!

I blame them for they seem to enjoy being (and staying) losers. They better watch the crazies (in their views) because they'll soon show them how to win...

:bounce:

[Ian David]

13. Common Good, NOT Common Ground! Fuck the "moderates"! n/t

[WePurrsevere]

14. Umm.. sure we're crazy.... Crazy like a Fox. n/t

[cgrindley]

15. Voters have to be offered a clear choice

and shuffling towards the middle does no one any good at all. You're either a liberal or you're a conservative. The nation deserves candidates that present clear choices between the two philosophies.

[Cassandra]

16. Let Sirota make you feel better...

http://www.workingforchange.com/blog/index.cfm?mode=entry&entry=D7489A9A-E0C3-F090-A7DD0BB90EFB9520

"As his article comes to a close, we are treated to a finale of third-hand chatter that he likely heard over martinis at the Capital Grille. Little Stuey righteously declares that a win by Ned Lamont in the Connecticut primary "would only embolden the crazies in the party" - a clear attempt to caricature and slander the netroots and the masses of ordinary people who are re-engaging in politics as never before. This exact type of slander, not surprisingly, is being echoed word-for-word by the Lieberman campaign.

This is typical. What's crazy to creatures of Washington, D.C. like Little Stuey is not Lieberman's efforts to sell out working people, or his pathological lying about the Iraq War and Social Security. To them, that's called "principle." Similarly, what's crazy to Washington insiders is not the right-wing lunatics who go to the floor of the House and blame the Almighty for global warming and say they are legislating in God's name - to devout power-worshipers like little Stuey those are called important "political activists." The real "crazies," Little Stuey leads us to believe, are the people who have the nerve to use the Internet as a political tool.

What's hilarous, of course, is that little Stuey is posting his article on a blog to attack blogs and the netroots as "crazies." But, then, that gives away little Stuey's bias. What's crazy to him is not blogs or the netroots - after all, he's more than happy to use blogs to promote his warmed over defecations to the netroots that he claims are "crazy." No, what's really crazy to people like Stu Rothenberg and ultimately Joe Lieberman is the idea that people like Stu Rothenberg and Joe Lieberman no longer hold the monopoly on political relevance. What's crazy to them, in short, is the idea that ordinary people are deciding that America's democracy is not the exclusive property of Washington insiders. "

[blogslut]

17. diggin it

n/t

[Renew Deal]

18. The crazies put him into office and the crazies will take him out

Glad to see what this moron thinks of voters.

[B Calm]

36. Exactly!

[Ganja Ninja]

19. Stuart Rothenberg claims to be non-partisan.

At this point I don't see how anybody can be non-partisan. If you haven't developed a genuine dislike for George W Bush after all that's happened in the last 5 1/2 years then you can only be a GOP hack. Truly non-partisan people came to their senses and over to our side right after Katrina.

[zanne]

20. Like the crazies on the Right...

Who are holding up this president? The only reason Bush hasn't been impeached is his "crazy" base.

[LoZoccolo]

22. I would agree with the bolded statement.

I've seen the rhetoric here now for a few weeks; there really isn't much to it, and it's not skillful. It looks like it's a lot of fun for the roving squad of rowdy vandals but it's a weak foundation for actually getting what we want.

The main problem is that netroots allows you to overdose on exaggerated emotion while completely ignoring the concrete work of electoral politics and being compelling politically. My "get involved" threads sink like rocks; take a look at what doesn't sink here.

[blogslut]

23. Wait a minute

I'm confused because I've seen Lamont supporters called, elitists, dillettantes, crazies, rowdy vandals, nazis and pigs. However, none of the name-calling seems to address the reasons why we should support the DLC/DINO machine, other than: "We have lots of money and we are beltway insiders".

It astounds me how these types continue to turn a blind eye to the desire to return the party to the very people they ignore.

[Caro]

27. Many people here do get involved...

... and in many ways. Maybe your invitations sink because you haven't developed the skill of figuring out what appeals to Internet activists.

Carolyn Kay
MakeThemAccountable.com

[Cha]

30. I was going to Welcome you

to DU but I see you've been around longer than I have! I know you've been Busy..thanks for all your good work, Carolyn Kay.

[Caro]

52. Thanks, zidzi!

Carolyn Kay
MakeThemAccountable.com

[Cha]

29. ...

:scared: :scared: :scared:

[proud2BlibKansan]

31. maybe those of us who are involved

aren't on DU 24/7.

Maybe when we do come here it is for an education and not a lecture on what to do.

Just sayin . . .

[kstewart33]

24. The Dems could use some emboldening.

By people other than WDC insiders.

What a crock of hockie.

[cmkramer]

25. He speaks the truth

Lamont's victory is a victory for liars and smear merchants and the elitist snobs of the Left.

Good luck Ned. You're now their poodle.

[hfojvt]

33. I suppose that would include

Paul Krugman, Jesse Jackson, and Bob Somerby. Is that what you are saying?
Oh, and 97% of DU.

[charlie]

50. All your poodles are belong to us!

You can keep Bush's rectal-dwelling pet.

[Caro]

53. Do you believe in democracy?

I didn't think so.

Carolyn Kay
MakeThemAccountable.com

[madfloridian]

26. We are the "nutroots" according to the DLC. Proud to be one. .

The establishment who wanted the war in Iraq, though it was really an invasion of a country that never hurt us....are trying to humiliate us by calling us silly names.

They did the same thing to those of us who supported Dean in 04. DU did it also. It was a talking point that came from the DLC.

They called us fringe, and that was the nice one. Bullmoose has picked up on "nutroots", and there are worse.

It's ok with me. It might change a few minds along the way, make them think twice before invading a country for no reason.

[Cha]

32. Nutroots to free the Nutmeg state

from that nasty land shark, joe LIEberman.

[Generic Other]

34. I am one of the crazies who hopes to be emboldened

I don't have a penis, but if I did, and it was emboldened, does that mean it's now bigger? Don't want us "crazies" down in roots getting any ideas...

[MrCoffee]

35. "A Noble Spirit Embiggens the Smallest Man"-Jebediah Springfield

GO NED!

[Clarkie1]

37. Also found this on same site...

Lieberman Lacks Support for Independent Bid

The New London Day reports more findings from yesterday's poll showing Ned Lamont (D) ahead of Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-CT) by 10 points in Connecticut's Democratic primary: "63 percent of those polled said they thought Lieberman should not run as an independent candidate if he loses the primary, as the senator has said he will. Only 24 percent said Lieberman should stay in the race if he can't win his party's nomination."

Meanwhile, Political Wire has learned there will be a new Quinnipiac poll released Monday morning in advance of Tuesday's primary.

[welshTerrier2]

39. a bold maneuver ...

you even chose to bold almost the EXACT SAME WORDS i chose ...

what a coincidence!!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=2756740

[Caro]

54. I didn't see your post.

I would have done a search to make sure I wasn't reporting something that had already been posted, but I can't afford to be a paying member right now, and only paying members are allowed to search.

Carolyn Kay
MakeThemAccountable.com

[welshTerrier2]

58. that's cool ...

then "great minds think alike" ...

[Amonester]

40. I think many DLC'ers, in reality...

R Republican infiltrators.

I suppose that alone must qualify me for being crazy in their eyes. :P

[leesa]

41. Right. Unlike those SANE people that want endless war and an out-

of-control criminal corporatocracy which is destroying the middle class.

[sutz12]

44. You say that like it's a BAD thing.

:rofl:

Seriously. This country is LO-O-O-O-O-N-N-N-N-N-N-N-G overdue for a serious jerk back to the left, just to return to some kind of sanity.

The Fundies are all convinced that anything left of Adolf Hitler is de facto communism or socialism. Meanwhile, we are spinning down the fascist toilet.

[JerseygirlCT]

46. I keep hearing this and I do not get it

So there's something inherently wrong with the primary process?

Joe Lieberman is supposed to hold that seat until he doesn't want it and we shouldn't have a say?

What happened to the incumbent actually earning support by doing the work he was sent to do? What happened to earning that support every day?

Why are Lamont supporters nutjobs while Lieberman supporters are rational? Where does one get the idea that Lieberman's behavior has been rational? And isn't it just barely possible that Lamont's supporters are not nuts, but simply sick and tired of a senator who doesn't give a crap about them?

I'm certain Lieberman was singing a different tune back when he sought to unseat Lowell Weicker. Then fresh blood was a good thing, and experience meant the guy had been there too long... gee, how things change.

[Nikki Stone 1]

47. Where can I officially sign up as one of the "crazies"?

I'm hoping Lamont wins but part of me is really afraid that Lieberman will pull this out in the 11th hour.

[dogday]

48. What exactly is a grassroots bomb-thrower?

just askin :shrug:

[elehhhhna]

51. "grassroots bomb-throwers"? that's incendiary language!

[kentuck]

55. A little more "partisanship" would be healthy...

for our country and our Party, at this time. Otherwise, we are supposed to compromise with more of the same?

[Iniquitous Bunny]

56. Yeah, Lamont's a big wacky hippie.

Anyone who has read anything about Lamont knows how ridiculous this is. Yes, he's left of Lieberman, but please. He's hardly some counterculture looney. :eyes:

Democrats have a right to decide who will represent us. DLC types should learn to support the will of those in their party. Period. (After all, we've remained Democrats after years of your caving, compromising, DOESN'T work Centrism.)

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

57. We should all vote to appease the "swing voters" and DLC.

Those wonderful folks who gave us the "not as bad" Party.

[Cerridwen]

60. "The strong go crazy; the weak go along"

bumper sticker wisdom

:evilgrin: