Ned! Maxine! Rootz!

Lamont!!!!

Go Ned!!WE’re rooting for ya1

You people are doing a great job in CT. Take a bow!!

Right on Jane!

the Halliburton stock story is naturally more poisonous to Lamont — his voters are more upset at that corporation. Lieberman supporters would not be upset at their boy owning stock in such an entity. When the story broke, we had a concern troll pop in here and gnash her teeth at the hypocrisy of Ned and said she was going to look for a Green candidate instead. The Lieberfolk are deliberately trying to precipitate such feelings in the NedRootz …

Cut’n Run Joe was seen quoting a person allegedly upset at Ned owning “millions of dollars of Halliburton stock.” To squash the Halliburton story properly, the sale of a miniscule amount of stock has to be emphasized: Ned aint no hypocritical war-profiteer!

Jane.. pardon me asking a naive question.. but is that Hartford Courant headline an actual one.. or a cleverly photoshopped one?

Lieberman and his pharisaical finger pointing at Lamont regarding the Halliburton issue is over the top, even for Joe. Perhaps not, now that I think of it. Lieberman’s constant phony reminders that he’s labor’s man rings hollow also. How can any labor leader swallow that line from a man who’s a ‘front’ for the DLC. The DLC is anti-labor and every vote cast by a union member for Lieberman is a vote against organized labor and his or her’s family. Joseph Lieberman is the finest example of what’s wrong with the Democratic party I can think of.

personally, I find much more interesting is the question of how a person living on the public payroll like Lieberman ever became a millionaire …

Good question *ilson — where did Joe get all his dough??? Good people want to know!!

The 19 Point Swing http://www.courant.com/hc-senp.....2467.story

Scott Tribe 7

That is an actual pic of the front page of the print copy of the Courant. I bought my own copy on the way back from Thursday night’s soiree. It is a thing of beauty.

Sing it Ned with all the joyful glee you can muster, we gotcher back! Play that freedom keyboard, man!

Projection by these morons is hilarious! The are so stupid they didn’t even check the head Mensa’s portfolio. No wonder Fredo likes him so much!

scarecrow called us at 8 yesterday morning and told us we had to get a copy of that and the New Haven Register before we headed north. Said that the online version didn’t do it justice. Glad we did.

and the “Forum” in the Register written by a Yale B School prof was choice!

GO NED

ya know something Jane…we are really making a differance…your blog and evryone you link to, and the people that come and comment, and the roots program

we’re doing something!

I think the most important thing we can do for these comming elections is to MAKE EVERY EFFORT the elections represent the voters choice

this is going to be really really toiugh…alienation of districts that are democratic, longer lines where we vote, and machines that flip 80,000 votes for our candidate and turn them into oposition votes

districts that have thousands more votes then voters which all happen to go to our oponents

these are sad facts that will be hard to overcome

we have the fight of our lives these elections, if we do not bring obersight this time around it will be lost forever, elections will no longer mean a thing at all

that’s the fight

getting these elections won is great, we are doing something, but we need a majority and we need it fast.

anyway, thanx for all you do

Martini :: the LieberBrains knew Joe owned that stock but knew it wouldnt matter to his supporters. They figured Ned owning Halliburton stock would poison the well with his supporters though. They tried to spread the rumor about Ned without officially challenging him on it. Joe merely reported that “some folk say Ned owes millions of dollars in Halliburton.” Gossip can be poisonous, the LieberLiars know it too!

Hopefully the senator won’t be a senator for too much longer.

Oh to be on the ground in Connecticut - great uplifting post Jane! You are the cat’s meow!

I do so hope Maxine Waters is still there for Ned. Most of all I pray she remains on the ground following Big Dawg/Boxer presser with HoJo on Monday.

Thanks for lifting all our spirits and leading by doing!

I wonder just how many Senators are holding?

Joe I. Lieberman will remain a Senator until 12noon, January 3rd, 2007 at which time Ned will pick up the keys to the office in D.C.

If these numbers hold another week, the question I have is if we’ll see a Lamont endorsement out of one of the Governor’s race nominees? That’s one of the only things that can change the dynamic of that race, and I wonder if either will be tempted to escape the Joetanic before it goes down to it’s watery doom.

Stamford and New Haven are going to turn out for (or against) their mayors, so they’ll be a huge chunk of the voting population already. I hope Swannie & co are doing some quality GOTV in Bridgeport this week.

me to me at 16 — that’s absolutely correct, and if you think the current “powers that be” aren’t scared witless by the fact that regular people can make a huge difference all on their own — and the regular people are actually realizing that fact — then you don’t know the beltway bubble folks. That’s why progressive bloggers are constantly being attacked, because we want to help people realize that they can empower themselves to make the country and the world better.

And isn’t it a great feeling to know that we can do just that. It’s one of the reasons that Jane and I are so proud of the Blue America work that Howie does for us — it’s so amazing every week to be able to make such a profound difference with everyone sending in a $10 or $20 donation, or no donation but just participating in the online chat and the process. Amazing.

Or the folks in the Roots project showing up at the office of an elected official to let them know that constituents actually ARE watching what they are doing. Every single day. It’s such a simple thing, but each additional person who realizes that even a small amount of effort can make a huge difference…imagine where that momentum can take us all the way to this November and beyond.

ccmask - great question for a reporter to ask Senator Boxer on Monday donchatink?

the unfortunate thing is that either of them owned stock in halliburton.

it underlines the importance of knowing where you’re money is invested. and spending money in general wisely and thoughtfully.

if you care, you don’t shop at walmart. you don’t invest in halliburton.

*ilson –

Senator Lamont will have spiffy new digs in DC, assigned by Majority Leader Reid.

Matt :: good word “Joetanic”

and you buy your gas from Citgo, susan.

*ilson-You may be right about the Mensa strategy, but it seems a pretty big risk to take, especially since there are quite a few undecided that may not appreciate the blatant hypocrisy.

angie, do that !

I agree that Lieberman is being somewhat of a hypocrite, here, and maybe has even more blood on his hands by supporting the war and having Halliburton stock. Nonetheless, no one should have Halliburton stock. There shouldn’t even be a Halliburton.

I am ;)

angie, i read or heard somewhere this week that venezuela will no longer sell to citgo, anyone have anything on this.

“I wonder just how many Senators are holding?”

KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON (R-TX) for one.

“Hutchison’s investment holdings include stock in General Electric, Halliburton, Proctor and Gamble, Wal-Mart and Reliant Energy”

http://www.kxan.com/Global/story.asp?S=5032268

And Halliburton has a major contributor to her…

http://www.opensecrets.org/199.....X00086.htm

What a great front page - must be making Joe’s eyes bleed.

Between the numbers Jane mentioned down below, and this beautiful picture, plus the unmasking of Lieberman on the Halliburton stock - it’s just becoming a force that Joe cannot stop.

Bill Clinton’s got to be coming for the love, not the Lieberman. Boxer? Honestly, it’s kind of turning into a wake, isn’t it? I mean, the Joe thing doesn’t have the feel, the energy, the electricity of victory - it has, instead, the reek of fear and the sheen of flop sweat.

I think that by mid-week, after the Clinton visit changes nothing, and Joe’s numbers continue to fall, not even the GOP will consider him a viable candidate. He’s going to get a strong urging to bow out gracefully when he loses on the 8th - and those he trusts within the party - the Boxers and Bidens - will appeal to his desire to be remembered with some measure of grace and sportsmanship, and he’ll go off to lick his wounds.

At least, that’s how I hope it goes.

Oh that’s smart. Disrespect the intelligence of the hometown press, who will be issuing primary endorsements in the next two weeks.

Well, then I’ll buy from the United People of Venezuela Consortium or stop driving and lose a lot of weight riding a bike, susan. :>)

btw, we here have long ago become as energy conscious as possibe.

That Hartford Courant screenshot is a thing of beauty — weepin’ Joe should ask for equal time, but if they publish his photo, Ned will probably go up by another 10 points.

we here, in this house.

Susan at 33

Venezuela is shutting down most of its CITGO operation, saying that the lower prices that CITGO offered amounted to a subsidy to the American economy. I read the story last week.

ummm … Citgo is owned by Petroleos de Venezuela … Citgo is merely planning to change its distribution pattern amongst various US states.

good on them then, Subway S, cause lord knows, our guvmint did nothing to help the poor.

they’ll still help us out when we shove the monsters out.

Citgo quasi-official story http://english.eluniversal.com.....9477.shtml

Josh Marshall on Lieberman:

“One of the things that unites the Incumbent Party is, of course, the desire to preserve incumbency. And it has done a marvelous job of that. The Incumbent Party has reduced the risk of defeat faced by incumbents to about as close to zero as you can get while still maintaining a democratic system. Perhaps never before in our history have the structural underpinnings of American politics been so heavily tilted in favor of incumbency. Campaign finance, redistricting, the budget process–there are an abundance of ways the Incumbent Party has built its own perpetuation into the system.

My point is this: rather than being angry and indigant about the Lamont challenge, as Joe Lieberman reportedly is, shouldn’t he be sheepish? I mean here is a guy with all of the built-in advantages of incumbency. and he still can’t pull it off? No one has ever been particularly sympathetic to Goliath’s plight, such as it was. To be angry about a stiff challenge is really to say that you don’t want to have the play the game at all. And that’s precisely what the Incumbent Party is all about.”

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/

Not that I’m a Lieberman fan by any stretch of the imagination, but considering it’s war profiteering and the emerging criminal aspects of Diebold voting machines, Ned should ditch the Hell-a-bent-on stock, pronto.

Goper’s Lament

Not that I’m a Lieberman fan by any stretch of the imagination, but considering it’s war profiteering and the emerging criminal aspects of Diebold voting machines, Ned should ditch the Hell-a-bent-on stock, pronto.

I think he did.

Subway Serenade,

that’s too bad. maybe there’s more to that story.

i’m glad to see ned looking happy and natural. unlike the stilted jilted dolt that is joe lieberman. i thought the headline was photoshopped too.

Subway — you’re a day late and a dollar short — Ned has dumped the stuff already !

Josh Marshall seemed like he was going all wobbly on us about Cut’n Run Joe but he’s now coming through like a champ!

It sure would be nice to be able to subtract the amount of wealth President Bush had coming into office from what he has now, and see the difference.

Could it be that Josh was so focused on all corruption all the time that it took a while for him to be able to recognize something that may not be corrupt happening?

o. kiddo,

i prefer to refer to him as the half human as oposed to President Bush.

Josh Marshall constantly reminds us that what is truly staggering isnt the illegal corruption but the perfectly legal corruption of the political process …

subway, please keep serenading and I mean it– some of the best joy I ever felt in my life was in subways meeting all sorts of people and more and being overwhelmed by the vastness squeezed into a tiny place underground and then climbing out from the earth while listening to music, or poetry or speakers. You just need to pause and listen and decide. Pure humanity. We have to take the time to make decisions and appreciate who we are or aren’t and who we choose to be and what legacy we choose.

OT Comment -

I’m back guys. I was at a wedding today and just got home. I have some plans with the girlfriend tomorrow, but from Monday until August 8 I’m going all out (as Ned likes to say, I’ll be going “flat out, all over Connecticut, meeting people and telling them who Ned Lamont is…”)

I’m disappointed that I missed Marcy Kaptur campaigning with Ned in my hometown–literally down the street–but LamontBlog and CTBlogger were there. I’m recording all the local newscasts (which hopefully covered at least Maxine’s visit) today and will upload them if there’s any coverage at all.

There’s no comparison for me between tonight’s party (a wedding reception) and Thursday’s party (a Firedoglake shindig). Tonight, nobody knew what the hell a “spazeboy” was. :)

Those Incumbent Party posts at TPM are not by Josh, but intrepid weekend correspondent TPM Reader DK (no relation).

spazeboy! i trust you spoke to and won over some with your passion!

DK has been doing some pretty good work over at TPM. Don’t know who it is but I hope he/she keeps it up.

Hey spazeboy!

Glad you will be back in the saddle and really glad you are on our “team”

Playing gotcha politics about what stock was in a mutual fund? That was Lieberman’s big issue? No wonder he’s in trouble.

Has Lieberman said one word defending his flim-flam on how well things are going in Iraq, on the necessity of DearLeader worship unitl Jan 2009, reproductive rights callousness, social security, bankruptcy bill, Alito, rubber stamping Bushco doofus’ appointments? Anything? (and no, I don’t care about his Iraq war vote).

He’s like many other centrist Dems… no real beliefs left, I think. I’m late to the bandwagon, but I am liking this. Need to click a few bucks tonight, I guess…

saying goodnight, have reread some of the comments and if for some reason i offended you angie - i apologize.

when you suggested that we buy our gas at citgo - i responded -

angie, do that!

what i meant was that i do that, i wasn’t suggesting that you do that.

anyway, sorry if my remarks were not understood as they were meant and someone was offended because of that.

in peace,
susan

spazeboy - did Maxine leave CT?

mcjoan has a good one on Big Orange.

Dear President Clinton . . .

off topic but have to share

some of the best contemporary guitar you are like to hear

you tube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....&eurl=

oh no, susan! i knew what you meant– and i meant to applaud you! i know we are simpatico. peace.

xo, angie.

OK 50

I don’t see how there’s not a chance in Hell the whole lot of them doesn’t have numbered bank accounts in Switzerland.

What on earth would keep huge corporations, who are raking in billions from these wars, from depositing bribes for them off shore?

Or even other countries making those deposits.

All any of them have to do if they get caught is say “Me no Alamo”.

FWIW: that moniker of “Spazeboy” is very cute and so is the logo on your videos. It’s humorous self-deprecation and goes over well. I just wish I were so clever … keep up the good work!

Susan - beautifully stated.

thanks angie,

sleep well all.

night

For the past several days, I’ve been reading the Harpers Magazine Stabbed In The Back! piece — it’s that long and that good.

http://harpers.org/StabbedInTheBack.html

I’ve just gotten to the point where Nixon made the culture wars permanent, by making the Vietnam back stab the cause of our defeat.

It’s so long and detailed, finding excerpts of less than a thousand words is tough. The Nixon/Vietnam section segues into the wing nuts blaming the lefty back stab for 9/11, Saddam, welfare queens, the war on Xmas, the war on Xtians, and the whole BushCo GOP ball of wax.

‘Tis a thing of erudite beauty — horrific, but brilliant . . .

Great front page shot of the Courant; I only saw the online text version. The really cool thing is that Ned can really play! Video is linked over at My Left Nutmeg. I’m not thrilled about Ned’s singing, though…he should just stick with the keyboard.

Clinton knew enough to just play the sax and not try to sing. Even though Big Dog is in the doghouse with us Lamont supporters right about now, you have to appreciate the man’s political instincts.

Hey, RevDed — Just got home — turned left at I90 and went to Tanglewood and Shakespear etc. Got home and my e-mail system is down but been trying to let you know the “summary” you drafted on Kerry/JJ meeting was great. Send it out.

Lamont news has been spectacular for several days. First was Jane’s advance reporting of the poll showing lamont pulling ahead of Lieber; but the same poll showing little movement in the 3 way race was a concern. Next day, the Courant and Register both have first page, big headline, lead stories on the Lamont surge — talk about name exposure! that was worth months of adds. Then the Rasmussen poll showing Lamont even further ahead in the primary and pulling even in the 3-way general. That was the really big news, if it holds up.

As Jane reported earlier, the talk thursday nite among the CT folks was possibility that Clinton’s coming is not merely to fulfill the campaign promise but to deliver the bad news to Joe: no independent challenge — that’s their hope, and the last 3-4 days of strongly pro-Ned news may make it a reality. The Ct folks are great, the “kiss” follows Lieber everwhere. Even I’m getting optimistic, and I usually don’t.

Jane has captivated Connecticut, not that we’re surprised, but it was fun to watch Thursday nite.

It is amazing to me how the Mighty Wurlitzer has brainwashed people to doubt the insitutions that are supposed to present the truth-academia, science, the media.

I sent the Harpers article to a friend of mine who is a mild wingnut, and he dismissed it with a “politics with a veneer of history” remark. Haven’t taken the time for a rebuttal yet. I thought it absolutely made sense in the context of the history of the past 50 years or so.

scarecrow

got your e-mail and I sent it to JJ. awaiting response and will then post if aok.

Glad you added a bit of culture to the weekend. Me, I’ve been sitting and doing what I’ve been doing for the past several weeks– not straying far from the laptop.

We leave for vacation Mon. morning. I may check in now and again, but for the most part will be really away, as in Canada, French Canada. (or is it Freedom Canada?)

Can’t stray too far from getting news of Ned though,

Glad you’re home safely. BTW, zen is OK, fried her motherboard which is why she hasn’t been online or answered e-mails.

LESS THAN ONE MONTH AFTER 9/11:

“Every time we do something you tell me America will do this and will do that . . . I want to tell you something very clear: Don’t worry about American pressure on Israel. We, the Jewish people, control America, and the Americans know it.” - Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, October 3, 2001, to Shimon Peres, as reported on Kol Yisrael radio.

Scarecrow

We won’t lose for lack of effort, that much is certain.

Though at the end of it all, this race is about what’s best for Connecticut, it weighs heavily on my heart that this race is about what’s best for the country and the world.

I’m glad you’re optimistic. When Spazeboy, CT Bob, CTBlogger, Jane Hamsher, and most of all Ned Lamont stand up to Joe Lieberman–Joe Lieberman doesn’t stand much of a chance.

scarecrow - has Maxine left CT?

EPU’d re Matthews and Buchanan: our heroes????

Totally see where you are coming from. But as the situation unfolds, we will gradually see people on the right come to an understanding that they were duped. We must be there with open arms when they acknowledge that they were lied to. Matthews and Buchanan are the first of an avalanche of reasonable people who will be horrified about what they have been supporting.

Re voting suppression, it is my hope that people who were willing to help the Republicans cheat in ‘04 are now eyes wide…
sorry doorbell. Repubs who helped with the vote in ‘04 to help give a little advantage to the Good Guys will be much more reluctant to help elect the fascists in ‘06 and more important in ‘08.

It takes a lot of people to steal the entire election. Hopefully enough of them will see the truth in time for them to abstain from “helping” with the vote in the future.

1. Well….I’m not so sure that “Bill” is coming to town to deliver advice to Joe. You know….I really liked Bill, and voted for him both times. But I’m really starting to think that all he does anymore is say and do things which he figures in some way helps Hillary. It’s like…Hillary says she’ll support the Demo primary winner; and thus straddles one leg in “that” camp. Bill appears in support of Lieberman, and thus as Hillary’s proxy straddles yet another Hillary Leg in the “other” camp. Its like Hillary is just trying to appease everyone.

2. So….Monday Bill appears? I believe one group not so keen on Bill is….unions! Its all about NAFTA. Sure wish Mr. Lamont might pick that day to visit some rank and file.

Ghostman

Deb — send zen’s number; I’ve an extra laptop she can borrow.

Halliburton stock was $26 a share bout two years ago. It was $60 or so last month. I’d thought about buying some at 26, but I thought they would get caught too many more times with their hand in the cookie jar and take a big hit. They did get caught, but it didn’t matter. The stock still ratcheted up, in spite of the bad reports on their rip off bidness practices. I guess my point is, that I am poor enough to know what stocks I own and what ones I don’t. Especially if its a high profile, war profiteering company like Tricky Dick’s Halliburger (see Doonesbury). Seems like it would be hard NOT to remember that you owned some. That goes for poophead Lieberman and Mr. Lamont.

Anne — I’m in Mass, not Ct., but I thought Jane reported earlier today that Maxine will be helping Ned for a couple of days? Jane?

Spazeboy — yeah, Joe’s got a few issues to deal with; don’t think he quite understands what’s hit him. But I’m sure the rest of the country is watching what you guys are doing very closely. You’re making history. Keep going.

This stock nonsense is ripped from the pages of the GOP dirty tricks book. Whether or not Ned Lamont owns Halliburton stock is irrelevant. He didn’t have a vote on starting the war. He didn’t have any input into the sweetheart contracts Halliburton got from the Pentagon. Most importantly, he does not currently sit on the committees responsible for government oversight.

Lieberman is a sack of crap for pulling this, since he’s the one who has helped enable Halliburton’s war profiteering. The worst Lamont is guilty of is poor judgement for owning the stock. But you could say the same thing about any petrochemical stock. Since Ned dumped his stock it’s moot. Let’s ask Self-Righteous Joe how much big pharma stock he has.

hackworth’s post reminds me –

Colonel Hackworth called air conditioned desk jockey officers who sent grunts to their deaths “Perfumed Princes” —

Joe Lieberman has brought his challenge down on his head, because he is a “Perfumed Prince” of a Senator . . .

I posted links to videos of Ned doing “Flip, Flop, and Fly” as well as singing “Imagine” last night.
This guy can really play boggie woogie piano.

Ned Warming up/Jamming
http://www.videoegg.com/video/ehyRe

Ned with Bruce John and Eagleville Band playing “Flip, Flop, & Fly”
http://www.videoegg.com/video/ehyTI

Ned singing “Imagine”
http://www.videoegg.com/video/ehyYq

hackworth @81, speaking from personal experience, I have no real idea what “stocks” I own … I have deductions from my paycheck directed into mutual funds, and I don’t follow what stocks those funds buy into on a day-to-day basis. There is also a limited choice of funds to which I can direct my contributions … and no, there is no “socially concious” investment option available to me. The fund managers could buy anything … and I repeat, my choices are limited. I’ll bet there are lots of folks out there in a similar situation.

new thread — hold on to it !

Hackworth 82

I don’t think either one of them forgot. I don’t think they knew.

Count me among those who don’t pay close attention to what stocks mutual funds are in, especially those where another entity is the investor and a fund manager or trust department is making all the decisions.

I found out to my horror - - after the fact - - that one trust had invested in crap Enron bonds, not long before they folded.

Punishing them for that? Good luck, because we sure didn’t have any.

scarecrow

number flying through the toobz at you.

Jane said that Maxine would be staying through tomorrow, I think.

Hackworth — Halliburton’s closing price Friday was $30.04. It did have a bit of a bounce in April when it announced that it was getting rid of KBR, but basically it hasn’t been doing all that well for some time. If you know what stocks you own, good for you, but I have to tell you I don’t have a clue as to the individual stocks my mutual fund owns. Neither Lieberman nor Lamont owned Halliburton directly, and Lamont does not manage his own portfolio. He did not know about his indirect Halliburton interest, which that fund has dumped anyway, so I guess he can’t even take credit for taking a policy position he knew would hurt him financially. In any event, any shareholder with a decently diversified portfolio is going to own stock in a company doing something someone, somewhere, doesn’t like. At least you don’t have a “purity” problem with owning Halliburton.

If someone wants to boycott a company or a product, fine. I don’t eat Domino’s pizza myself. But I don’t go around telling other people that they are evil if they do. It’s particularly ironic to see the purity police a/k/a concern trolls show up here on the lake. Aggressive, moralizing piety is, after all, how HoJo earned his Ho.

Lord Lieberman is the Dean Scream of 2006

Maxine is staying through til tomorrow.

just wanted to point out that the media is distorting the truth as far the the latest poll goes. yes they are admiting that Lamont is ahead, But what i refer to is when they talk about the general election and if rape-gurney Joe loses and runs as an independent. They are still using last months poll results instead of the latest ones for the 3 way general election where Lamont is tied with rape-gurney Joe in a 3 way race in november. here are 2 links you can use to see what i mean.

http://www.connpost.com/search//ci_4074862

http://www.connpost.com/search//ci_4077986

I also feel that the Lebanon-Israel mess is hurting Lieberman, by exposing the vacuity of his necon “muscular diplomacy” schtick. Need for new minds, like Ned’s, becoming more apparent.

Wow, thanks Jane! This is as great a the time I got a helmet tip from J.C. Christian!
P.S. I’m the crazy person with the sunflower up in Branford.

Anonymous @ 93:

In fairness to the press, the Rasmussen Poll which shows the virtual tie in the general election hasnt been publicly released yet.. so I dont blame the press for not picking that up.

That doesnt stop someone from writing them to point that poll out however. I’d suggest pointing to the brief article at Political Wire, rather then the KOS diarist who first mentioned it.

Already EPU’d, I know, but watching the various clips of Tom Swan that have come out recently I’m not as encouraged as I’d like to be that we’re really learning the lesson of how to respond to these Roveian tactics.

The aim is to put Lamont on the defensive, and Swan is not getting off the defensive fast enough and hard enough. The only way to respond to an attack is with an attack. He’s trying to do it, but not very effectively IMO. He’s trying to pivot on the revelation that Joe has Halliburton stock too, and turn the conversation back to Joe’s vulnerabilities. But then all he has to fire back with is the generic line about Joe’s desperate and we need to get back to the issues. Don’t talk about how we need to talk about the issues, TALK about them. Joe’s got a list of vulnerabilities a mile long. Pivot and fire BACK.

“I don’t think this kind of Karl Rove-GOP smear tactic has any place in a Democratic primary race. He’s got Halliburton stock too, so it’s a non-issue. The real issue is in this campaign is not what stock you own but who you’re beholden to as a senator. He’s voted again and again in favor of big money interests against the interests of the middle class–SEC reform, bankruptcy, even waffling on support of Social Security when others stood firm against Bush’s attempts to privatize it. That’s an effort that Bush promises to make again, by the way, and we need real Democrats to stop him. Where will Joe be on that issue next time? He’s already said he’ll run as a non-Democrat if he loses the primary–does that sound like someone who will stand up for core Democratic programs like Social Security when Bush tries to eradicate it again?”

Or something anyway. Where’s the oppo research feeding Swan with facts he can fire back with when this stuff comes up? Don’t just say we should be talking about the issues, TALK about some. You have to fire BACK. Aren’t they war-gaming this stuff? Their TV commercials are ultra-smart. Whoever’s doing them should be working with Swan on his in-front-of-the-cameras game. He’s not blowing it or anything, but he should be using them as–seeing them as–OPPORTUNITIES, not just some difficulty he has to deal with. I’m finding his responses just adequate, at best, when the possibility to really damage Lieberman is just sitting there. You got the cameras all pointed at you, Tom. USE them.

Agree, but disagree. Lots of people here in CT are thinking that this whole thing has become too emotional - too many attacks.
The way to deal with a bully is to respond without emotion. Counterpoint each issue with the facts, immediately.
How’s this:
“Joe, I agree with you that holding Halliburton stock is not appropriate at this time - I was unaware of it. Oops, looks like you might be holding some, too! Surely you knew!”