Lieberman concedes the race.

[kstewart33]

From the Washington Post this morning:

Facing a likely defeat, Lieberman has scrapped plans for a massive and costly get-out-the-vote operation on primary day, according to several Democratic sources. Instead, he will shift some of his resources into more television commercials designed to highlight his accomplishments for the state, in hopes of boosting his battered image.

Link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/03/AR2006080300597.html

[graywarrior]

1. Whoa. That's gotta hurt.

[sendero]

4. Feels pretty good....

... to me :)

Score 1 for the crazy bloggers. And they aren't done either :)

[H2O Man]

8. Write on!

This has national implications.

[Bunny]

20. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said something similar to this yesterday:

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06215/710674-192.stm

<snip>
Next Tuesday's Democratic Senate primary in Connecticut is important in its implications for the future direction of the Democratic Party.

It is fair to ask why the rest of America should care what happens in a primary election in Connecticut, a state with a population of 3.5 million. The same question could be asked, of course, every four years about the presidential primary in New Hampshire and the Iowa caucuses.

The Aug. 8 primary pits three-term Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman, 64, Vice President Al Gore's running mate in the 2000 elections, against Ned Lamont, a relative newcomer to state and national politics.

Normally, someone like Mr. Lamont would have little chance of defeating Mr. Lieberman for his party's Senate nomination. However, a campaign based on two aspects of Mr. Lieberman's record, first, his support of the Iraq war and, second, his support of other positions of President Bush, a Republican, has catapulted Mr. Lamont into virtually a dead heat in the polls with Sen. Lieberman a week before the election. The matter is complicated by speculation, denied by the senator, that if he loses, Mr. Bush may name him secretary of defense in place of Donald Rumsfeld.
<snip>

[H2O Man]

23. Yep.

I think that Senator Clinton is very aware of what is happening to Lieberman. I suspect her confrontation with Rumsfeld was as much a result of the awareness that the public is strongly opposed to the war in Iraq, as anything else.

[Lerkfish]

29. OR, she was greasing the skids to replace Rumsfeld with lieberman

Knowing that Joe will lose, perhaps they're making the justification for putting Joe in Rummy's place by starting a campaign to fire Rummy?

if so, then this could still be behind the scenes neocon manuevering.

[lebkuchen]

63. Knowing Lieberman would lose because of his support of the Iraq war

it was time to nail the DoD Sec. who created the mess. Since Clinton has supported the war effort, it was her job to slam Rummy, distancing herself from an issue that is costing politicians their jobs. After all, her job could be next on the chopping block, and she wants to be Prez.

On edit: I am very very eager for Rummy to hit the road now that Clinton has given him the heave. If Rummy doesn't go, I predict the dems will take over both Congressional Houses, which was part of Clinton's/Reid's game plan.

[never_get_over_it]

66. Or she could be doing both

or our third choice is she got some new advisers!!!!

[Mr Rabble]

70. Good call LF. That was my first thought as well.

This is likely Joe's segue into Republican politics- officially. These stories are not just suddenly finding their way into multiple newspapers without lots of discussion.

[never_get_over_it]

77. OK given that Lieberman is apparently going to call for Rummy's

resignation I think you ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT - both Hillary and pathetic Holy Joe are creating job opportunities for poor Joe

OH MY GOD - CAN THESE PEOPLE BE ANY LOWER - no its all right to leave Rummy in place while thousands and thousands are being killed but now Holy Joe needs a job and NOW Hillary and Joe want him to resign - how freaking pathetic

[NastyDiaper]

87. Agree. But it makes too much sense to be true.

[wryter2000]

56. I hope you're right

I hope the whole DLC is watching.

[Schema Thing]

25. :thumbs up:

[bananarepublican]

100. Wayne Newton cuts new single! "Auf Leiberman"! All together now... n/t

[Junkdrawer]

2. Looks like he's saving his money for his Independent run...

Let's see who the Republicans run...

[Lerkfish]

7. they'll back leiberman I predict

[Pale Blue Dot]

34. Not according to ACTUAL polls of ACTUAL CT voters. nt

[Lerkfish]

37. I meant republicans. A story today said more republicans supported JOe

its on this board somewhere.

[Junkdrawer]

38. Just to be clear, Lerkfish is saying the Republicans will run/back Joe...

I don't think he's saying Joe will win back his seat.

[calico1]

3. They just played a new ad on TV.

He calls for raising the minimum wage, TAX CUTS to create jobs. :eyes:

[chimpymustgo]

9. Joementum, please find the decency to just slink away into a lobbying job.

Go Ned!

[blogslut]

12. Would that be

"death tax" cuts, Joe? :crazy:

[paulk]

64. why would you say that?

Lieberman has never supported the Republican cuts in the estate tax.

His positions on taxes have generally been pretty good.

if you're really interested, you could go here and read all about it -

http://www.issues2000.org/Economic/Joseph_Lieberman_Tax_Reform.htm

It's one thing to support Lamont and not Lieberman

it's another to smear a candidate based on untruths.

[blogslut]

83. Then I apologize

Although I find it odd a man that was once against Republican wedge issues such as tax cuts would suddenly begin to tout them with Republican buzzwords.

[IndyOp]

35. TAX CUTS to create jobs? Thank God they haven't lost their

core principles.

:sarcasm:

How effing many times do you have to try a stupid idea and see that it does not work (over and over and over) before you finally GIVE it up! I know their logic is to use the phrase 'tax cuts' to hypnotize the people with good paying jobs and use the phrase 'create job' to suck in people without -- connecting them logically is not necessary.

:puke:

[calico1]

48. This is a new ad that I just saw today.

My feeling is that because he mentions "tax cuts to create jobs" he is no longer directing his message to Democrats. He is now directing his campaign to Republicans and right leaning Indies.

[Ms. Clio]

73. that was exactly my thought, too n/t

[me b zola]

75. I had that impression from the debate. n/t

[katinmn]

102. Hey, isn't that what the Repugs just tried to pass in the Senate

and it failed?

What a dope. He is aiming for the backwash in that ad.

[Lerkfish]

5. I thought this was a joke post at first, then I realized the joke was Joe

its a great thing, actually for him to waste advertising dollars trying to repair HIS image among voters.
That will only smell like desperation and narcissism and turn more people off.
I truly hope he DOES do something that idiotic.

Is the DLC running his campaign?

what have the DLC always told us here at DU? oh yeah, you have to listen to the DLC to win elections. oh yeah...oh yeah....babeeeeee

[smoogatz]

45. How many DLC consultants did it take to screw up Joe's campaign?

Interesting question.

[Zhade]

90. DLCers are irrelevant and obsolete. They will fall, one by one.

The only problem I have with Jihad Joe spending all this money on ads that likely won't win him the primary is the thought of all those poor saps who gave him money, erroneously thinking he gave a shit about them, being out the cash in today's economy.

[gratuitous]

6. Ads cost money; GOTV costs volunteers

Guess which resource the Lieberman campaign has more of? And where are the hordes of idealistic young folks for Lieberman who would take a day or two out of their summer vacation to knock on some doors?

[Pale Blue Dot]

15. Great point. nt

[AlGore-08.com]

52. But you can pay folks to work GOTV if you have to

And he's got enough money stashed away to cover his general election campaign. If he spent the money on GOTV now and won the primary, he could definitely raise enough money to replace the cost of the GOTV drive. 'Cause if the race was Lieberman and a weak Republican, it would be another slam dunk reelection for Lieberman. And if it wasn't, the conservative forces in and out of the Dem party would want to make sure that he did win the general - - so that the message to the Progressives is "you can't win, no matter how hard you try".

If this is true, this is a strategic decision because their own internal polls indicate there's no way that Lieberman will win the primary.

[whistle]

10. Why would Lieberman even continue, he should cut his losses

....mend his relationship with the democratic party and work with the party to get a democratic majority restored in both houses of congress this fall. That would be the right thing to do.

[Botany]

11. Capt. Joe @ the helm

[Richard Steele]

13. LOL, "stay the course" Joe!

[chimpymustgo]

22. Damn that made me laugh!

:rofl:

:rofl:

[Bretttido]

74. That picture needs to be photoshopped

With * standing at the bow of the ship with his back facing us. And shown everytime a puke mentions "stay the course".

[theanarch]

81. don't forget the "mission accomplished" banner...n/t

[Bretttido]

84. Haha, that would be great... I'm gonna have to work on that one

[chrisau214]

94. Changed Your Description A Bit For Dramatic Effect

Chris

[Mojorabbit]

97. Good one! LOL

[Botany]

99. Sweet!

That pix will surf the net

[Imagevision]

96. Lieberman received no boost from Bill Clinton, that's excellant!!

[cboy4]

14. He has decided not to attempt to discuss the war in his final commercials.

YA THINK?!?! :eyes:

[H2O Man]

18. "Courage of his convictions"

I find the bitterness of Joe & Co interesting. He spoke about having the courage of his convictions in the debate, but it looks like that courage has abandoned him just as surely as the voters have.

[sallyseven]

27. Last night his spokesman was on Hardball

with Mike Barnacle and the Rev. Sharpton. The spokesman had only one thing he wanted to get out that Lamont only quit his restricted golf club because he wanted to get elected. No matter what was said he brought this up. Sharpton asked about his stand on the war and he brought the golf club up again. Mike did a better job of explaining joe and his accomplishments. No wonder he is sinking fast. His spokesman is a dumb moron.

[underpants]

16. JOEMENTUM!!!!!!!!!!

Can you smell it?

[graywarrior]

17. Go, Joe! Go away, that is!

[Hubert Flottz]

33. Yeah...Kiss Off Joe!

Nader/Liberman 2008?

[wryter2000]

58. Aaaahhhahahahahahaha

Nader/Lieberman 2008. :rofl: You nailed it. :applause:

[never_get_over_it]

67. Jesus

Nader/Lieberman 2008 - NOW THAT IS FUNNY!!!!

[Lost-in-FL]

86. OMG!!! That is hilarious!!

:applause: :applause: :rofl: :rofl:

[Hubert Flottz]

101. Ralph and Joe could be real Uniters in the ME if they'd work on it!

Monday, July 17. 2006

Letter from Ralph Nader to President George W. Bush

snip...

The time has come for you to return to Texas for a private meeting with your father, his former national security advisor, Brent Scowcroft and his former Secretary of State, James Baker. You need to say to them ‘I can’t trust my advisors anymore; there have been so many tragic blunders. What do you advise me to do about the destruction of a friendly nation by the world’s fifth most powerful military?’ More...

http://www.nader.org/template.php?/archives/274-Letter-from-Ralph-Nader-to-President-George-W.-Bush.html

Quite a contrast to Joe's kill crazy ideas about the right course of action.

[pennylane100]

19. Well that just shows he's not even a good a republican

because with such bad numbers, he should be busy fixing the voting machines instead of preparing for defeat.

[H2O Man]

21. Rumor has it

that he has requested that Katherine Harris come to count the votes.

[cboy4]

24. Now that's funny!

:spray:

But to be fair, I think the Diebold machines are delivered "pre-fixed," if you know what I mean.

[LynzM]

55. CT doesn't use Diebold!!

We vote on good, "old-fashioned" levers! :bounce:

[chibi]

26. ahhhhhhhhhhhh... I love the smell of democracy in the morning!

hopefully the rest of our corporate master will get the msg, pdq :evilgrin:

[blogslut]

28. This thread needs more recommends

I did mine.

[jonnyblitz]

31. k&r

:hi:

[Totally Committed]

30. The Joementum Putz-a-Palooza continues on unabated....

into the bowels of his inner Delusion Monster until. Lieberman should just give up the ghost, and go out with dignity. I never thought I'd say this, but I'm embarrassed for him. He's pitiful.

Go away, Joe. Just go away!

TC

[Arugula Latte]

78. Putz-a-Palooza! BWAAA!

I hear Joe, Zell Miller, Katherine Harris, Rick Santorum, and Mel Gibson are gonna go on tour for the next one ...

[lonestarnot]

32. No way around it, Joe, you blow.

[IndyOp]

36. "Lieberman concedes primary" -- not the race. (n/t)

[John Q. Citizen]

39. Here in Montana I have one question:

Are you paying attention, Max?

[IronLionZion]

43. How about you guys take down Burns

and in PA we will destroy Rick Santorum in a most humiliating way. It's going to be a very good year.

[John Q. Citizen]

49. Burns is going down. Even many Repo voters have had enough.

If the Repos were smart they would have gotten Burns out in the primary, then they would have had a shot at retaining the seat.

I'm glad they aren't that smart, but perhaps we should be.

[IronLionZion]

40. He didn't concede the damn race yet!

That will be next Tuesday. Why do you get my hopes up like that? It's not over until it's over.

[Cha]

89. Exactly! Don't

want to jinx nothin'!

[Bucky]

41. Again showing why he'll lose, Lieberman walks away from a fight

The boy just ain't got no fight in him. If you're gonna lose a battle, you don't go into the battle half assed. Either you retreat and regroup or you throw in 100% and fight tooth and nail every step of the way. This is why Lieberman will probably lose in November. Well meaning as I think he is, he just doesn't understand what it means to stake to your ground and fight.

[PATRICK]

42. The Ghost of Florida 2000

And the have an amendment based on a key incident concerning the counting of overseas military ballots(which seemed to have been dumped in after the election against Florida state law). He got those votes counted all right.

Appalling meltdown of political competence seals everything else but it sure stands on its own. it does look like he is trying to save his possible Independence candidacy. Quitting the primary, in effect, is his attempt to deny Democrats their choice. otherwise he would have gamely held on and taken the decision. Co-opting and throwing in the towel is not merely to save money, but to save it and the heat for shaping an Independent candidacy. In other words he has to lose in spectacular fashion to stop him from running AGAINST his own party, because now he can make it look not so bad because he really didn't try and wants to represent the kind of independent candidacy as others in New England have.

But does he have a clear, and more importantly, well crafter state campaign to wash away the rejection by the voters of his own party? Are those GOP crossovers rabid fans and the primary a meaningless roadblock to his inevitable win? The real political answer to that is that if he is still harboring an idea he is can campaign his way back to the Senate he does so without facing he has no competence, and less hope of suddenly getting some, to achieve that.

What is embarrassing is how crystal clear he has made his defeat even for those with no knowledge of his state and the minds of its voters. His positions and ineptitude and whatever other failings all seem to click together and reinforce one another. You have to be appalled how that works, that total degeneration. One sometimes believes that hardcore political skill is at least the remaining ace in the deck. Maybe money and incumbency spoils that skill. It should be a warning to anyone else following the calling. If this is truly the mature strength of DLC-style wisdom and tactics it truly does cast a big chill over their continued power over party politics. Aside from issues, this is a big criticism from the left and progressives which should not elicit spiteful attacks. It is a matter of exactly how the party is being dragged down and who exactly is doing it. Proof.

[moondust]

44. Joe Nomentum.

Get your boots and web gear on, Joe.

[KansDem]

46. Just do the right thing in the first place, Joe...

It's much, much cheaper than having to "shift some of <one's> resources into more television commercials designed to highlight <one's> accomplishments for the state, in hopes of boosting <one's> battered image."

[smoogatz]

47. But but but--

We can't let those crazies on the left wing of the Democrat party dictate to the highly-paid DC consultants, fer cryin' out loud! We'll never win another election if we don't look and sound just like Republicans, but with better toupees!!! How dare the people of the state of Connecticut dump a steadfast moderate like Joe Lieberman just because he no longer represents them!!!! Lock up the women and children--the RABBLE are coming!!!!

[shadowknows69]

50. The people know they still have to get out and vote that way right?

I worry sometimes.

[Zhade]

91. Right! CT Lamont voters, we need and support you!

VOTE!

[DemonFighterLives]

51. The visit by the Big Dog didn't even help him

Looks like he screwed the pooch.
Lapdogs beware!
You lie down with dogs you get up with fleas- dubby's kiss of death.
:dem:

[longship]

53. GOTV would work against him.

He's correct in scrapping GOTV. When the electorate are pissed at you, the last thing you want to do is to bring more of them to the polls.

We tried GOTV in Wichita (KS 4th district) in 1994. All indications are that we hurt ourselves. With the House banking scandal and Gingrich's Contract On America going strong, we actually brought out more opposition votes than Democrat votes, even in heavily Democratic precincts. The result was that Dan Glickman lost his Congressional seat.

We can only hope that the Repugs will use GOTV nationwide this Autumn. With the electorate's mood soured by high gas prices, scandals in DC, the war in Iraq, and ChimpCo incompetence, it can only help Democrats.

Democrats should also be doing GOTV this cycle because it's got to help us this time.

[marions ghost]

54. Lieberman has made his bed

and now he has to lie in it. He has had many chances to get real. It's a shame it has come to this because in some areas he has a good track record. But the "have your cake and eat it too" Dem bunch has got to go now. They are dragging the party down. They have been willing accomplices to the multiple disasters of this administration. Time to get tough with Joe and his mentum.

[lies and propaganda]

57. America! Fuck Yeah!

wow this is fantastic!

[bobbolink]

59. Just like the Middle East warring...... one side must vilify the other..

It strikes me that this column cheering for LIEberman fits in perfectly with his scenario. He's for the war, and those who write on his behalf declare a verbal war on those who are perfectly within their rights to challenge him.

This kind of verbal violence hurts the party--but maybe that's what these people want, at this point. Lob enough bombs at the party, and watch it collapse like the twin towers. Suppose that's the plan?

Verbal violence must stop! It is just as damaging as the physical kind. We knew this during Vietnam -- how long will it take to learn how to disagree in a peaceful manner?? Our Founders gave us the framework to affect change in a peaceful way --will we start doing our part???

[tomreedtoon]

60. His buddies at Diebold have the race locked up.

Why should he campaign? His buddies in the Administration have certainly passed the word down to Diebold's people - Joe Must Win.

So all of this crowing and preening about Lieberman going down is pointless.

[calico1]

62. Well, that would be hard to do considering

that CT does not have any Diebold machines. We use the old fashioned lever machines and from what I have been told, those are not easy to fix.

[tomreedtoon]

104. Oh, lever machines can be "fixed..."

You can fix 'em real good. Just make sure they jam in those districts that are polling towards the progressive candidate. "Gee, we're sorry, you can't vote today, the machines are broken." It might be a failed election, but you only get one chance, and thus Democracy is stolen.

There is more than one way to steal votes, and Lieberman's Republican buddies know them all.

[Gold Metal Flake]

61. How will this affect the LieberYouth?

The paid Republican thugs that are trying to start fights at Lamont appearances.

More info from Kos, with a link to the Lamont campaign website report on this vicious attack by LieberYouth.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/8/3/234627/9355

[CoffeeCat]

65. Joe's next move will reveal...

...his true core.

He has a lot of self-evaluation to do.

He's very angry at the Democrats.

I bet he shows his true colors and does something interesting. I'm
betting that he'll switch parties. I'll go even further and say
that he may find a job with BushCo.

[Warren Stupidity]

68. Best 200 bucks I ever spent.

And all I got was a Lamont sticker and I don't live in the nutmeg state.

Go Lamont!

[jonnyblitz]

71. we who DO live in CT appreciate your support!!

THANK YOU!! :thumbsup: :hi:

[Warren Stupidity]

69. Best 200 bucks I ever spent.

And all I got was a Lamont sticker and I don't live in the nutmeg state.

Go Lamont!

[Theres-a]

72. Thank you!

Go Ned!

[Pierzin]

76. Joe is on Big Ed on AIr America Right Now!

and it's amazing what he is saying!!!
He must be taking the same drugs Dumsfield is taking, because he is denying the poll numbers and relying on the voters. Dream On!

He is not going to support Lamont bcause "I'm not going down that road."

the pol #s are really unfair to my years of service"... that's what you get when you sleep with the Bush Crime Family!

[LSK]

82. Joementum on Big Ed

Now thats a couple.

[VOX]

79. Not a formal concession. Just padding his backside for a fall. n/t

[ContraBass Black]

80. So, what happens to the big name Democrats that were coming out

To support him?

[Warren Stupidity]

85. They are all repositioning their massive positions.

See Hillary run! Run Hillary! Run fast and furious! The blogbarians have eaten Joementum! Run!

[savemefromdumbya]

88. I had a dream the other night that Lieberman conceded

I think he will back down.

[Starfury]

92. You folks SURE it's over? From Firedoglake:

I was typing my little fingers to the bone telling people to come to Connecticut for the big GOTV push for Lamont when the Kevin Rennie piece came out, essentially saying "Lieberman’s throwing in the towel and trashing his field staff." The bullshit meters went off instantly. Shortly thereafter Dan Balz ran the same thing in the WaPo, and we all know their talent for right-wing stenography.

It felt like an extremely Rovian attempt to suppress and discourage the Lamont GOTV effort. If he’s going to win by a landslide anyway, and Lieberman isn’t putting up a fight any more, why bother, right?

Except according to people on the street, that isn’t what’s happening. Rather than take dictation from Marion Slimefels, we contacted folks who actually took the time to check out the claim. Maura visited the Stamford office for Lieberman this morning, and has this to say:

I drove by the LieberOffice in Stamford and even pulled into the parking lot to get a look at what’s going on, and it’s PACKED with LieberShirted people. Just as much or more activity than usual. I also passed two LieberShirted people on a sidewalk in another neighborhood when I was driving to the dentist this morning, so I assume they’re still out strong canvassing.

It could be he’s considering Stamford the Last Stand for Lieberman, but it seems unlikely that he’d still have so much activity here and none anywhere else.

And in Hartford, TrueBlueCT says:

I went to the New Haven office this morning and I spied Rosa DeLauro’s campaign manager — she loaned out her field people to Joe for the race. And they know New Haven better than anyone. The Lieberman kids were running in and out, "give me new lists" — they give them a street at a time. They go, they do the street, they come back, thumbs up, they go do another street. I saw 50, 60, 70 people coming and going. They’re not rolling over.

This thing is not over, not by a longshot. The internal polling of both candidates says that the race is much closer than the Q-Poll indicates, and it’s all down to the ground game now. Lieberman is trying to de-incentivize the Lamont GOTV effort with disinformation. If you care about a victory on Tuesday, get yourself to Connecticut.

Edit: added link
http://www.firedoglake.com/2006/08/04/party-on-garth/

[MarkDevin]

93. I live in CT, and I'm not assuming anything.

On Tuesday, I'm going to the polls and voting for Ned Lamont. I will not for a moment assume that Lamont is going to win and that I don't need to vote in the primary. And I hope a lot of other CT Dems feel that way, too!

[Imagevision]

95. Liberman supports Bush and the Iraq war and loses his job, how much better

can the message be?!!

[Hippo_Tron]

98. This is going to be fun to watch

I hope to see all of those Senators who pledged to support the nominee coming out to campaign for Lamont like they did for Lieberman in the primary.

[zcflint09]

103. Good night George Jr.!

This is great news for the Democratic Party--Lieberman finally off of the ticket--hopefully for good!