If Lamont Crushes Lieberman...

By: Lowell
Published On: 8/4/2006 6:49:02 AM

Joe Lieberman has vowed that, even if he loses his primary against Ned Lamont this coming Tuesday, he will carry on as an independent in the November general election.  However, if Lamont crushes Lieberman, as now looks likely, will Lieberman read the writing on the wall and pull out?  And what will this mean for Democratic chances of taking over the Senate this November?

On the first point, my reading is that if Lamont absolutely crushes Lieberman - by 15 or 20 points - this coming Tuesday, Lieberman will have no choice but to pull out.  The result of a huge Lamont landslide will be that Democrats throughout Connecticut, and nationally, will abandon Joe Lieberman and unify around the Democratic nominee, Ned Lamont.  At that point, Lieberman's poll ratings and fundraising will start to implode, and that will pretty much be the political death spiral for Lieberman. 

On the second point, if Lamont beats Lieberman soundly on Tuesday and Lieberman ditches his independent run for US Senate, that will immediately remove Connecticut as a huge distraction for Democrats this fall.  With Lamont assured of being elected to the U.S. Senate from the "blue" state of Connecticut, netroots and party activists will be free to turn their attention - and their pocketbooks - to other races, such as the Allen-Webb contest right here in Virginia. 

That's my personal, best-case scenario for next Tuesday:  Lamont wins HUGE over Lieberman, leading to a collapse of Lieberman's independent bid, leading to a shift in focus by Democrats to beating George Allen (VA), Conrad Burns (MT), Rick Santorum (PA), Lincoln Chaffee (RI), Jim Talent, Mike DeWine (OH) Jon Kyl (AZ), and possibly John Ensign (NV) (not to mention Harold Ford taking Bill Frist's vacant seat in Tennessee). In the end, that shift in focus is EXACTLY what Democrats need to take back the U.S. Senate this fall.  Right now, all the indicators are looking like they're moving in that direction, with only one thing standing in the way: Joe Lieberman wasting everyone's time and money by running as an independent candidate.

As someone who lived in Connecticut for 12 years, all I can say to Joe Lieberman is this: whatever happens on Tuesday, DON'T GO INDEPENDENT!  Instead, concede to Lamont with class and honor. Do everything you can to help your party - the Democratic Party - regain control of this country again, so that it can fight for the issues you care about, like the environment, energy, education, health care, and so much more.  If you do all that, my guess is that historians will look quite kindly upon you  If you don't, if you insist upon tearing the Democratic Party apart just so you can stay in office...well, historians (or conetmporaries, for that matter) will not be so kind, let's just put it that way.  Next Tuesday night, please make the right decision, Senator Lieberman.  Thank you.

Lowell Feld is Netroots Coordinator for the Jim Webb for US Senate Campaign.  The ideas expressed here belong to Lowell Feld alone, and do not necessarily represent those of Jim Webb, his advisors, staff, or supporters.

Comments



If Lamont Crushes LIEberman (Curlew - 8/4/2006 7:01:32 AM)
I have been wondering if the appearances in Connecticut by Bill Clinton and Barbara Boxer weren't designed to lay the groundwork for LIEberman to quit if he's defeated.  I wonder if the over-a-beer conversation didn't go something like "I'm here to support you in the primary but if you lose, all bets are off and you won't get my support as an Independent."  Thats the best case scenario.  Worst case is that Joe will let his ego overrule his conscience and he'll run as an Independent-Repugnican.


Only two Dem Senators (pitin - 8/4/2006 9:01:40 AM)
(whose names escape me now) have pledged to support Lieberman through Nov, ALL other endorsements, AFL-CIO, Clintons, etc... are only through Tuesday, and almost all of those have pledged to support whoever wins the Primary on Tues.

Lowell, I'm going up there to help seal this up, any fun bars or restaurants in southern CT, that you recommend? on the very-off chance that I get a few hours.



Fun? Connecticut? You must be kidding me! :) (Lowell - 8/4/2006 12:38:41 PM)
Seriously, I haven't lived in Connecticut since the early 1980s...can't really give you any recommendations.  But have fun hangin' with the insurance agents.  Or, just go to the beach in New London, Old Lyme, etc.  It's only the Long Island Sound but it's still pretty nice... :)


Right! (David Campbell - 8/4/2006 8:10:47 AM)
I think you are reading the situation accurately.  Most of the Democratic officials who are currently supporting Lieberman have said they will support the winner of the primary.  Lieberman will lose his current labor union support if he runs as an Independent.  Republicans who support him in the Democratric primary will vote Republican in the general election.  He will be left alone with only his ego.  Lieberman needs to concede gracefully and let the focus shift to key races like Webb's.


Sen. Frank Lautenburg speculated (thegools - 8/4/2006 11:30:04 AM)
just now on the radio that he thought lieberman would drop out of the election if he loses decisively enough.


The bell (seveneasypeaces - 8/4/2006 12:12:47 PM)
That's what I think.  He is just posturing.  When it isn't conjecture he may wake up.  He's about to go into the ring, he's going pumped.

He will bring out a lot of old voters who haven't felt they had to bother in the past. But what do they know.....