Lamont Speaks

[BurtWorm]

http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110008801

In the past week, my victory in the Connecticut Senate primary has been labeled everything from the death knell of the Democratic Party to the signal of our party's rebirth. Beneath all of this punditry is a question that I want to face directly: how the experience I will bring to the U.S. Senate will help Connecticut and the Democratic Party during this time of testing for our country.

I ran at a time when people said "you can't beat a three-term incumbent," because I believed that President Bush, enabled by Sen. Joseph Lieberman, had weakened our country at home and abroad. We're weaker economically, because we're more dependent on foreign energy and foreign capital. Our national security has also been weakened, because we stopped fighting a real war on terror when we made the costly and counterproductive decision to go to war in Iraq...

Good judgment is an essential part of good governance. But we're bogged down in Iraq, and hamstrung in the war against terror, by leaders who lacked judgment, historical perspective, openness to other cultures and plain old common sense. We offer something different.

But in the final analysis, the results of this election say less about me, and more about the people of Connecticut. They turned out in record numbers; they spoke every day with a simple eloquence and urgency about the country we love. They oppose the war and the fiscal nightmare crafted by President Bush and his allies. But their vote, finally, was one based on pragmatism and reality, on optimism and hope. And it is to these ideals and values that we plan to address my campaign in the months until November.

[MrCoffee]

1. A standing ovation for the junior Senator from Connecticut!

:applause:

[BlooInBloo]

3. I look forward to hearing that!

[Mr_Spock]

2. Excellent points he makes.

I hope he trounces Lieberman in the fall.

[MercutioATC]

4. Is he really that good or does he just have great handlers?

Don't get me wrong...I'm a Lamont supporter. I sent his campaign money even though, living in Ohio, I won't get to vote for him.

I sent him money for two reasons...he represented what I perceive as a needed change in our party and he wasn't Joe Lieberman.

This statement surpasses my greatest expectations of what his election could mean to the party (and the country). Ned Lamont is talking like my version of the perfect Democrat. Socially liberal, fiscally conservative, realizes the value of treating people well, psychologically prepared to make the decisions that seem frightening to others...

...this guy has some major potential.

:)

[BurtWorm]

5. I have a similar awe about how he's been handling himself.

(Or being handled? I hope not...)

He seems to have as perfect pitch as a progressive could hope for from a mainstream politician.

[LynzM]

8. In all the times I've heard him speak, he seems the real deal

Doesn't matter if he's talking to 15 people or 500, he brings up great points, listens to all manner of questions, talks to people, and provides intelligent responses.

As you say, almost seems to good to be true!

[MercutioATC]

11. I sure as hell hope so.

I'm betting on him as one of the catalysts to our future.

[Cha]

10. I've heard he has a great

campaign manager, Tom Swan, but I'm thinking Ned's a Natural, too, which must kill those republicon robots.

[WhoWantsToBeOccupied]

13. He is that good

I first met Ned in January and have been a paid part-time staffer since the campaign launched. Ned's a truly caring and intelligent man. He wants to help bring America's core values back to DC. He knows we're a stronger nation when we live up to our ideals.

As an illustration of his heart, he took time from dealing with thousands of voters, reporters, contributors, advisors, etc. the day before the primary to email me to make sure I attended the party because, he wrote, I was there early for him. I was stunned that someone so incredibly busy would be so thoughtful. But that's who Ned is. He's thoroughly genuine and unpackaged, and he--as far as I can tell--takes all the info he absorbs and writes his own speeches.

Ned's substance over style. At one of his first speeches--to the Greenwich Democrats--the man introducing him announced that Ned must be serious about running because he had never before seen Ned wear a tie. What you see with Ned is exactly what Connecticut and America will get. A smart man with a huge heart.

[RufusEarl]

6. Hell Ned should run for president !!

[cascadiance]

7. Yes.. The sleeper has awakened!

Muadib! Muadib!

Ned, keep kickin' ass for us! You're the change that's been needed for some time! All of this negativism directed to you is a sign that there are many of the old guard (Republicans and DLCers) that are scared! And they SHOULD be! The "spice" is ours to control, NOT theirs!

[bigwillq]

9. Thank you Ned

for your honest and intelligent words! :bounce:

[elehhhhna]

12. Meanwhile, BATR*, his Joepponent is calling the voters terroristism lovers

BATR= back at the ranch

LOL; Joe's gone off the reservation but he's hiding at the ranch in Crawford.