Democrats Rally Around Lamont

[Der Blaue Engel]

I haven't seen this here; maybe I missed it, but it clearly bears repeating in a very loud voice:

http://www.firedoglake.com/2006/08/09/democrats-rally-a... /
Democrats Rally Around Lamont
By Jane Hamsher

Last night after Ned Lamont’s victory the Connecticut primary, the phone calls started pouring in from key Democrats offering their support. Frank Lautenberg, John Kerry and Barbara Boxer all called to congratulate Ned.

Boxer actually offered to come to Connecticut and campaign for Ned. Considering her close relationship with Lieberman, that is quite a concession. It is certainly not a good harbinger for Joe’s indy run.

Finally, Chris Dodd has agreed to take the lead in pushing Joe to abandon his current course of action. It’s a tough decision for Dodd and he should be commended for doing so. The three key House races in Connecticut are the most threatened by Lieberman’s indy bid; good on Dodd for showing some leadership with regard to state party politics and doing so.

I keep seeing people making statements that they will no longer support Boxer because of her endorsement of Lieberman in the primary. You want to write off one of the most liberal Dems we have for one difference of opinion, fine, but quit spewing nonsense about her. She IS supporting Lamont.

[Der Blaue Engel]

1. Kicking for Boxer

[Nutmegger]

2. I always said that it doesn't matter who they supported

as long as they respect the primary process. That goes for both Clintons, Boxer and the Democratic establishment.

[Der Blaue Engel]

3. I can't figure out why anyone keeps claiming they're not

Not only did most of them specifically say they'd support the winner, but they've already made statements in support of Lamont. It's almost like some people are waiting for an excuse to hate on a Democrat.

[Jack_Dawson]

4. Isn't this SUPPOSED to happen?

Why is everyone all aflutter over Hillary's check and Kerry's tepid support of NL? Oh yeah because the Dems can never look totally on-board with anything.

[Der Blaue Engel]

8. I'm not sure what you're saying

Of course it's supposed to happen, and it is. So my question is: why are people acting like it's not?

[globalvillage]

20. What's tepid about Kerry's response?

He's been saying for over a month that he'll support the choice of the Democratic voters of CT.
Here's his statement, I think it's excellent.

“After an intense and competitive primary season, Connecticut Democrats have chosen their nominee and they’ve made a strong statement about the current course in Iraq which is failing our troops. I strongly support Ned Lamont for the United States Senate.

"I’ve worked with Joe Lieberman since our days in college together, and I respect his many contributions to our public life. But the Democratic Party stands for something, and the Democratic Party in Connecticut has made a choice. That choice will matter in November to the direction of our Party and the direction of our country. The events of the past months make even more clear the differences Democratic leadership would make for our country on Iraq, in making America safer, in having an economy that works for everyone, and in achieving energy independence. That’s who we are as Democrats, and that’s what we’ll be fighting for. It’s time for all Democrats to come together to support Ned Lamont. It’s time for Democrats to unite.”

What's he supposed to say, that Joe's an asshole? He's still got to work with the guy for the next couple months.

I think it's great that all these Dems have made statements in support of Lamont. It was the right thing, and probably not the easiest thing to do.

[Der Blaue Engel]

24. And wasn't he already endorsing him before?

I thought I had read that he was.

Either way, it didn't sound at all tepid to me either. Sometimes I feel like I'm taking crazy pills when I'm on DU.

[Jack_Dawson]

25. Yet...

He didn't call for Leebs to give up his senate race.

[Der Blaue Engel]

29. Here's what he said:

“After an intense and competitive primary season, Connecticut Democrats have chosen their nominee and they’ve made a strong statement about the current course in Iraq which is failing our troops. I strongly support Ned Lamont for the United States Senate. editor's note: yes, so very, very tepid. :eyes:

"I’ve worked with Joe Lieberman since our days in college together, and I respect his many contributions to our public life. But the Democratic Party stands for something, and the Democratic Party in Connecticut has made a choice. That choice will matter in November to the direction of our Party and the direction of our country. The events of the past months make even more clear the differences Democratic leadership would make for our country on Iraq, in making America safer, in having an economy that works for everyone, and in achieving energy independence. That’s who we are as Democrats, and that’s what we’ll be fighting for. It’s time for all Democrats to come together to support Ned Lamont. It’s time for Democrats to unite.”

He sure as hell isn't saying "go, go, Joe-Joe!"

[Jack_Dawson]

30. But he's not calling for Leebs to step aside n/t

:beer:

[globalvillage]

33. My guess, and my hope is that they try to do this privately

Otherwise, the repub media will really scream Dem divisiveness. After all, these people have all been co-workers for a lot of years, and I doubt they want to humiliate him any more than he's already done for himself. I think it will be on Dodd to 'talk to Joe'.
Of course, if he refuses to back out, it's a different story altogether.
Better not to burn bridges if it can be avoided, though, IMO.

[Jack_Dawson]

34. Good Point n/t

[eridani]

37. Why would they do that publicly?

Really, really dumb. Any arm-twisting is going to be done behind closed doors, which we should all be writing them and encouraging them to do.

[Dover]

5. Oh yeah! Another guy from the billionaire's club is crowned.

Sorry. Not fond of Lieberman in the least, but also can't get too excited about this pattern.
You won't see any normal income, radical, anti-war person joining the 'insiders club'. Wealth seems to be the prerequisite today.

[Der Blaue Engel]

7. Ya lost me

My post was about certain DUers ignoring the support of Democrats for the people of Connecticut's choice for Democratic nominee. This has nothing to do with whether you're happy about Lamont's win or not.

[SeattleGirl]

9. You are, unfortunately, correct.

And by saying that, I'm not saying anything against Lamont, but the truth is, if you don't have the money, you don't stand a snowball's chance in hell of even thinking of winning a race. That's why public financing would be the way to go; keep the corporations and the rich individuals from being the only ones who are allowed to have a real say in campaigns and races.

[Nutmegger]

10. Unless we enact public financing of elections

and get "big money" out of out public servants' pockets, then the trend will continue.

Yes the system is corrupt. But we still can make a difference. Without grassroots support Lamont wouldn't have had a chance.

[Nikki Stone 1]

15. Election reform with public financing only is the ideal

Until then, you gotta be a frigging millionaire to run.

[Dover]

17. And who would change that pattern in our government? The wealthy?

If they (the wealthy) were actually representing 'us' then of course that would change the pattern. But don't expect them to break up their club, or significant change to come from the top.
And most wealthy people in government tend toward conservativism and the status quo that serves them so well, and their wealthy backers.

Of course Bushco wasn't going to take any chances and began placing their corporate buddies directly into government seats, thus eliminating the middle man.

[Nikki Stone 1]

21. AH, there's the rub.

I don't have an answer for you except pressure.

[bobbolink]

6. Barbara Boxer better show up to campaign for Ned!

Given that she is so supportive of the peoples' right to choose their own government, it's time to listen to what the people of Connecticut wanted!

Go Barbara... I'm sure you can find a flight to Connecticut available!

[Der Blaue Engel]

11. Why would she not? She just offered to.

Are we all talking about the same Barbara Boxer here? Because this attitude towards her is baffling me.

[bobbolink]

12. What's baffling????

[Der Blaue Engel]

13. The negativity toward Boxer, the assumptions that she wouldn't support

the Democratic nominee, especially after she just said she would. Maybe I'm just losing my mind and reading everything the wrong way. :shrug:

[LittleClarkie]

16. I think some folks were shook when she campaigned for Joe

That's all. But I agree. It seems silly to say "She better campaign for Ned" when she just said she would.

[Der Blaue Engel]

18. I was surprised she campaigned for Lieberman too

but knowing her record, I respected the difference of opinion. But it's driving me nuts to keep reading posts like "all those Dems who supported Lieberman better support the democratic process and get behind Ned!" Uh...they are.

[bobbolink]

19. Could it have something to do with her PERSONAL visit

in support of LIEberman??

That was definitely not called for!

People have every right to replace representatives they are unhappy with! I thought she understood that.

Of course, after that, it wouldn't be taken for granted that she would travel in support of Lamont!

My statement is "she better". And that's just what I meant. AFter that disgraceful showing for Joe, she owes!

So, yes, she now must *say* that she supports Ned, and she must go there in person!

Or, send back her roses! :)

[Der Blaue Engel]

22. She'd have to do a lot more than that for me to take back her roses

She'd have to personally smooch Bush in Jo-Lie fashion. :D

[LittleClarkie]

23. And people have the right to visit those representatives that others

might be seeking to replace. She probably reckoned people would understand that too.

It was all in the name of democracy. She had the right to campaign for who she wanted. Others had the right to try and replace someone they weren't happy with. Why would her visit to Lieberman indicate that she didn't understand people having the right to replace representatives they are unhappy with? Seems like a non sequitor to me. She just differed in opinion, is all. But she is now lining up behind Ned, as the people have spoken. Good for her.

[bobbolink]

26. Nope!! Traveling from another state to interfere in the

business of those in that state to choose who they want is... low...

It isn't what the democratic process is about.

We little folk get to chose, dammit!

[LittleClarkie]

27. But no one complains when politicians go to campaign for someone

people here support. Kerry is campaigning for several Dems all over the country, for instance, and raising money. People generally aren't complaining that he should keep his nose in Massachusetts and stop interferring.

People came to Wisconsin in 2004 from all over the country to help us stay blue. I didn't cry about interference, though some Repubs I know did.

And several people were campaigning against Joe from all over the country.bI see you're from Colorado. By your logic you shouldn't interfere in Connecticut business, right? And yet, several people here were lobbying for Lieberman's defeat. By your logic, they were all interfering, and should have left it to the Connecticut voters.

[bobbolink]

40. sigh... it should be obvious that a *PRIMARY* is very different

And, thanks for the inference that I'm "interfering".

geeeeezzzzz.... maybe I should just leave all politics to you...eh?

[Der Blaue Engel]

28. It is not interfering, it IS the democratic process

Senators often choose to endorse a candidate in local races and they often campaign for them. It's not interfering to campaign for someone. That's a really bizarre statement.

[bobbolink]

41. NOT when it's Dem against DEM!

That's a local issue!

So, you aren't bothered by the weight stacked in favor of incumbents????

[Der Blaue Engel]

42. So senators are not allowed to endorse someone in a primary?

I don't believe you would be upset about this if she had come to campaign for Lamont; it's not about the local issue. I'm not going to throw out a terrific senator who has come to bat for us more consistently than any other person in congress just because she campaigns for someone I don't like. If she were campaigning for Lieberman in the general election against the Democratic nominee, of course that would piss me off, but she's not, so I really don't get the vitriol.

[bobbolink]

43. Oh for crying in a bucket -- are you just arguing to be arguing??

A primary, in case you didn't know, is for the PEOPLE to decide for themselves who they want to represent them.

As long as we still have a constitution, that's what it's about. That is NOT THE TIME for other Senators from other states to intervene.

I believe that is clear to all, except for those who don't want it to be clear.

If Barbara Boxer wants to go to other states to campaign for Dems, she can do so when they are running against Republicans, and that would be very welcome.

As a matter of fact, I'd love to have her come to Colorado and campaign for Bill Winter in his run against Tancredo!!

[BuyingThyme]

14. kcik

[bigwillq]

31. A big thank you

to all those Senator now supporting Lamont.

I guess I could kind of see their point in supporting the incumbent but I think it's great that their behind the nominee that the CT Democrats chose as their Senatorial candidate. :bounce:

[Breeze54]

32. Feingold said:

snip-->
http://www.jsonline.com/watch/?watch=1&date=8/9/2006&id...

"I congratulate Ned Lamont on his primary victory and enthusiastically endorse his candidacy.
In this primary election, Democrats in Connecticut showed the Washington establishment
what Democrats and Progressives all over the country are demanding -
elected officials that stand up for the core American values we all share.
From fighting for universal health care to demanding an Iraq policy that makes sense
and puts our focus back on the terrorist networks that wish to do us harm, the Connecticut
primary was about the core issues Americans talk about around their kitchen table every evening.
But Ned Lamont's positions on the critical issues facing our country today are much closer to mine.
We need more leaders like Ned Lamont in Washington and I look forward to working with him
on a wide range of issues in the U.S. Senate."

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

:)

[Der Blaue Engel]

35. But he didn't call for Lieberman to step down!

:crazy:

(Oh, right...neither did anyone else...in so many words.) ;)

[Breeze54]

36. I give it a week,

They're getting there. Let the 'sting' and shock wear on a little longer.
They'll come to their senses. All in good time....
;)

[senseandsensibility]

44. Richardson did today!

And it's doubly convincing, coming from a moderate.:)

[Sgent]

38. There were some

indications a few weeks ago that the DSCC especially would support Lieberman even if he lost the primary. They seem to have retreated from that position thankfully, but that is where a lot of the suspicion is coming from.

[McKinneyIsAHero]

39. They know who butters their bread now

Best to co-opt the netroots than stand against them.

Bravo!~