According to The Washington Post, Lambert's latest insult to his fellow Democratic Party members is his threat to run as a Republican if he is expelled from the Richmond and Henrico Committees.
Lambert is preparing to put up a fight if the members try to expel him, saying he will have his lawyers review party bylaws to see whether he can be kicked out of the party. Lambert, who is up for reelection next year, also warned that he could run as a Republican or independent if the Democrats try to expel him.For Lambert to make this threat before meeting in person with the Richmond or Henrico committees is likely to further inflame opinion against him. It's hard to excuse Lambert's behavior when he refuses to apologize for it and begins making threats against the entire Democratic Party of Virginia.
The comments of the Henrico committee's chairman, Tim Mitchell, are also extremely significant. When asked by the WaPo's Tim Craig about what action the Henrico Committee might take, Mitchell had this to say:
We are just going to say you have violated our bylaws to support Democrats and, therefore, you are not part of our committee anymore.Mitchell's declaration makes it sound as though Lambert's expulsion is an accomplished fact. Many of you may remember that Mitchell was a staunch supporter of Harris Miller during the primary. Mitchell was understandably disappointed by the results of the primary, but he reconciled himself to the results and worked, along with his family, to elect Jim Webb to the U.S. Senate. In doing so, Mitchell sets an example of loyalty to the party and faith in the Democratic primary that nominated Jim Webb.
Placed alongside Nachman's courageous uphill fight and Mitchell's stalwart loyalty to his party, the extent of Lambert's betrayal is even more stark.
Delegate Donald McEachin, who is rumored to be considering a primary run against Lambert, had this to say:
I don't think one can hold such a position of high regard such as the state Senate of Virginia, be a Democrat, endorse a Republican who is bad on issues that affect the African American community, and expect there are not going to be consequences," McEachin said. "Congress turned completely blue because of Jim Webb's election. For him to stand in the way of that was, quite frankly, tragic.Indeed, Lambert's self-destruction does bear many of the marks of a classic tragedy, not least of which is the hubris that caused him to bolt his party in the middle of a desperate fight and then threaten his former friends when his own moment of judgment arrived.
You can read the rest of Tim Craig's article "Democrats considering penalty for Lambert" in The Washington Post.
Bolt the Democratic party? He already did. Of course he had every right to do that, but he shouldn't be surprised by the backlash. He should eat that elephant-manure filled Humble Pie with a big giant pitchfork.
[Can you imagine if Webb had barely lost? This clown could then claim (and rightly so) to have the honor of being the reason that the GOP retained control of the Senate!!! Bad move Senator Lame(bert).]
Buzz...Buzz...
It is in mine.
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Look at this article by Jeff Shapiro of the RTD.
Shapiro theorizes about the possible financial ties between Lambert and Allen, and I think this goes a long towards explaining Lambert's "inexplicable" actions.
Maybe that's why he's gotten the defective label?
Buzz...Buzz...
I'm very much opposed to the "my party, right or wrong" maxim -- saw too much of it growing up back in communist Poland -- but it seems to me that it would be a relief if that guy made good on his threat/promise. "Good riddance to bad rubbish", as the Brits say.