Kudos to Lamont...
While activists within the Democratic Party continue to try and stop US Sen. Joseph Lieberman's bid to winre-election to a fourth term, Democratic nominee Ned Lamont on Monday distanced himself from the effort, declaring that anyone has the right to run for elected office - and the decision to run as an independent is the senator's to make, and his alone.
There is no question that Lamont would prefer that Lieberman didn't chose to continue his re-election bid,, and has been one of the more outspoken critics of that decision, urging the incumbent to abide by the party's vote in the Aug. 8 primary. Understandable, and if I were in his position, it would be the stance I would take. And he deserves some credit for taking this position and opposing the efforts of those trying to block Lieberman from appearing on the ballot.
Now...if we could move away from this non-issue and start talking about the real issues, this campaign can start to make some progress. The vast majority of voters don't care very much about party labels. They do care about the issues affecting their lives.
There is no question that Lamont would prefer that Lieberman didn't chose to continue his re-election bid,, and has been one of the more outspoken critics of that decision, urging the incumbent to abide by the party's vote in the Aug. 8 primary. Understandable, and if I were in his position, it would be the stance I would take. And he deserves some credit for taking this position and opposing the efforts of those trying to block Lieberman from appearing on the ballot.
Now...if we could move away from this non-issue and start talking about the real issues, this campaign can start to make some progress. The vast majority of voters don't care very much about party labels. They do care about the issues affecting their lives.
posted by Ray Hackett at 8:51 AM
5 Comments:
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I disagree with you Ray when you say that a "vast majority" of the voters don't care about party labels. In my expeience of working on campaigns, a majority of the voters (in particular, those who actually turn out and vote) are registered with one of the major parties and most of the time, they vote for their party's candidates.
Bill...there's no question that a percentage of voters - those who do vote - are party members and are typically more inclined to go along with the party's choices. But...I have found that a majority tend to split their tickets - voting for individuals more than party. That explains why John Kerry easily took the 2nd Congressional District two years ago, but Rob Simmons won his re-election.
I agree with Bill. The issue is not so much “party labels” as Lieberman’s huge ego. This is the trap for all career politicians. Their staff and their supporters for so many years fawn all over them and tell them how wonderful they are and how the sun rises and sets on their shoulder etc. After a certain amount of time they start to believe it themselves. Lowell Weicker thought the 1988 campaign was all about him, not the issues. He saw it as a great betrayal that conservative towns voted against him and he to this day doesn’t understand why. Now in 2006 we have come full circle. Lieberman and Weicker have far more in common that either would care to admit.
Lieberman thinks that Connecticut just can’t be represented by anyone else but him. Joe Lieberman is all about Joe Lieberman, not issues. I don’t think it’s unfair to bring that up at all.
Lieberman should have respected the process and moved on. But his ego wouldn’t let him. If Lamont is indeed unacceptable as Lieberman maintains than so what? The Democrats picked their man and Lieberman lost fair and square. Let the process continue to play out. Let the voters get to know the Republican opponent and then let them decide. -- Let the chips fall where they may.
But of course insiders of both parties are always scheming how they are going to New Jersey the election. Trusting the people to do the right thing simply isn’t an option. The game must be rigged for the greater good. The insiders know what is best for all 3 million of us. We the people can't be entrusted with the choice because we might not pick who they would pick.
As for ballot access, I say everyone should have one bite at the apple. ONE! Had Joe wanted to run as an independent than he should have first forfeited the primary. Lieberman should not get two bites at the apple, nor should anyone. Throw you hat in and if you win, you win. If you lose, bow out with grace. I am tired of all these do-overs.
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