It wasn’t like nobody saw this coming. I wrote about it back on July 5 — there are three very hotly contested House seats in Connecticut that could go to the GOP if Lieberman stays in a 3-way race. There are oh so many reasons why Karl Rove is thrilled with a Lieberman candidacy, but probably highest amongst them is the opportunity it gives the Republicans to retain control of the House this fall.
From the the Courant:
GOP Reaches For Joe’s Coattails
August 10, 2006
By DAVID LIGHTMANWashington Bureau ChiefSuddenly the Democrats’ nightmare scenario becomes plausible: They are a seat or two from gaining a House majority in November, but so many Connecticut Republicans go to the polls to vote for Joe Lieberman that the state’s three vulnerable GOP incumbents win re-election.
"Whether he wants to or not, Joe’s being on the ballot will juice Republican turnout," said former Democratic Rep. Toby Moffett, who is advising the party’s candidates. "Does he want to go back to Washington as the guy who helped Republicans retain their majority?"
Republicans saw a big opportunity. Less than an hour after Lieberman announced he’d run as an independent, Rep. Rob Simmons, R-2nd District, rushed out a statement praising the senator; Reps. Christopher Shays, R-4th District and Nancy L. Johnson, R-5th District, later followed suit.
All three Republican districts are on every national insider’s list of the 15 to 20 shakiest House seats in the nation. Democrats need a net gain of 16 to win control of the House for the first time since 1992, and polls and pundits see the party as having a good chance.
Connecticut is one of the party’s key targets. Though each of the three Republican incumbents is considered moderate, and routinely opposes GOP leaders on social issues, they all have to defend consistent records of support for President Bush on Iraq and economic issues.
All seemed to be grabbing for Lieberman’s coattails.
And what does Rahm Emmanuel have to say about all this, the man who should by all rights be most concerned?
Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill., chairman of the party’s congressional campaign committee, thought Lieberman’s presence could help Democrats, because the senator "will be talking about raising the minimum wage, energy policy – echoing the Democratic candidates’ message."
I guess it must be true that if Rahm loses the House he’ll be rewarded with Pelosi’s job after all, because I really can’t think of a single other reason why he would say anything quite that obtuse (see: Stoller, Matt, "Talk About a Stupid Incentive System"). He’s refused to call on Joe to pull out of the race and doesn’t seem to acknowledge what everyone in Connecticut seems to be acutely aware of — the Democratic dream of November control of the House could go down in flames as a result of Joe’s selfish, shortsighted and characteristically Republican-enabling actions.
There’s a joke in there somewhere about the strange things people do when they know their jobs are secure, but I’m just not feeling very funny at the moment.
Related posts:
- Lieberman’s Filibuster Threats Run Counter to 2006 Campaign Rhetoric
- Snowe Protects Rahm’s Dream of Triggers
- GOP Will Target Blue Dogs Who Vote “Yes” on IMF, Senior Republican Campaign Official Confirms
- GOP Candidate Scozzafava Suspends NY-23 Campaign
- Klein on How Lieberman Went Bad: It’s All Jane’s Fault
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Fitz!
Hey, twolf and Jane, honey, how is your pretty face? Someone walked by my house two days ago who looked so much like you I had to go out and take another look to be certain. I knew it couldn’t be you because she was walking a boxer and didn’t have on great jeans.
Congratulations on Ned, great follow-up although I’m hopelessly behind and losing my mind without a computer.
Oh and
FITZ!!
ATTACK NED! ATTTAAAAAAAAAACKKKKKKK!
Where are you?
the 3 GOP House members from CT may vote with us on some issues but the most important vote they ever cast (except for War) is the vote they cast for Speaker Hastert which puts so much power into GOP hands.
Jane,
Don’t worry about not feeling funny. You’re at your best when you “do that thing you do”, i.e. have your unique laser-like focus.
I’ve lurked here (and enjoyed the site and everyone who posts) for a long time. Your comments tonight in this post are among the most prescient and important I’ve read.
How do we get it through the thick skulls of the Democratic establishment what is actually happening? Rove is not that much smarter than any of us. He just knows and loves the gutter.
He trades on our innate sense of fair play etc. etc. etc.
I’m sick of the Democratic namby pamby response to the real evil among us.
Wrong, Rahm. The republicans will vote for Joe, especially if they have a weak candidate – they want their views represented and who better to do that than Joe? He’s an *R* in word and deed and I actually think he could win if he’s not shut down by his former party, the Democrats.
I read where CT had registered an additional 30,000 Democrats this election year. It is sad we have to hope and work our asses off to overcome Joes narcissistic ego run at validation after he was soundly defeated. Can no one get through to him, and if they do, does he not care about anything other than his Republican buddies?
Hi Zen,
Re: “I really have to buy a cheap computer, I can’t take much more of this blogging inside my own head.”
I would highly recommend Ebay and a refurbished IBM Thinkpad. IBM leases them to businesses originally. When they go off lease, third party’s buy them and throw them on EBay, cheap.
PS. My current one is a 600X, P3 Thinkpad
The Democratic Leadership needs to crush Joe. Now. Do whatever it takes. Take away his committee assignments. Take away ALL money. Block him from strategy meetings. Force him to become a Republican. NOW.
Wull heck-far, Toby, OF COURSE he does!
Subpoena. Investigate. Hearings. Indictments. Charges. Prosecute. Punish.
None of this will happen with Republican control.
When Rahm Emanuel worked for Clinton I thought he was the cat’s pajamas. He seemed so righteous and articulate and whip-smart. Boy oh boy.
We need to agitate HARD for Harry Reid to eject Lieberman from the Democratic caucus. Give Joe a date certain to “pull his troops out of Connecticut,” after which date the entire Democratic party treats him like a pariah. That right there should insure a Lamont victory, and Ned should poll well enough, early enough, to either force JoMo out of the race or into irrelevance. If the Dems cut him loose, Lieberman can’t vote with Republicans while trying to win in blue Connecticut, so he can’t hurt us there.
If Joe was a man I would punch him in the mouth.
It was obvious during the weeks leading up to the primary that the Democratic establishment and the Beltway Pundits wanted Lieberman to win at any cost. They know that Lieberman was the biggest cheerleader for the war in the United States Senate and they don’t want him to be rewarded by the boot. My guess is that most of them are secretly hoping that Joe can pull it off in Novemeber.
Zen, dearheart, i have a computer you can long-term-borrow. call or email and i will roar it up there first thing tomorrow.
lotus @ 11
Joe doesn’t want a Democratic majority – he would lose his special status among his beloved GOP.
I’m not sure what use it would be to someone, but I have a G3 Mac Powerbook that I would donate to a good cause.
What happened to Rahm’s “love chil” comment?
Did he back off of that like he did with the hard hitting video that showed the coffins of his mistakes?
Zen, Kathryn — I’m home now and I have an extra computer too.
Hey Zen-
Check out old Macs on eBay too, if you’re Mac inclined. I picked up a G3 tower for $10 plus $20 shipping a while back. (And I’m typing this on a G3 desktop that cost me $2000 when it was new.)
Jane, I assume you already saw this, but in case you didn’t, MikeB nailed the question you asked in comment one in your prior thread:
“MikeB says:
August 12th, 2006 at 3:43 pm *
Ok, I just called AP HQ (hat tip to Guitar Playing Bastard way upstream) and asked what bureau Sue Haigh was attached to. They said Hartford and transferred me and I had a nice chat with the lady who answered, asked to talk to Sue. Not there. She asked my name and business. Said I’m an IT guy and a Lamont supporter and am not happy with the Lieberman hacked website coverage.
She said Sue deserved a break, she’s a political reporter with no portfolio for IT, and that all kinds of stuff was thrown at her election day, she and the rest of them were working their butts off all day trying to put out a respectable product.
I asked for the Bureau Chief. His name is David Marcus, but he won’t be in until Monday either. She said my best bet was to take it up with the Bureau News Editor Patrick Sanders, but he too is out till Monday.
She seemed a bit abashed by the whole thing, indicating they feel they are in the middle of all these crazed politicians throwing shit around and are just doing their best to make sense of it all. She directed me to an updated story by Pat Eaton out yesterday, is going to email me the link, but of course everybody can find that online.”
Urban Pirate @ 20
mmmm. I love chili.
:Dshooogarp @ 24
:D
I thought Rahm was a lot smarter than this.
Maybe he needs a clue.
Hasn’t Dean been calling for Joe to step down?
Reid should pull Joe off his committees if he doesn’t fall in line.
Do these guys talk to each other?
You wouldn’t know it.
Jane :
Excellent post. You keep going and they’ll come. You proved it with the Lamont race.
We all need to light a fuse under the DEM establishment’s tushies and the best place to start is by e-mailing Harry Reid.
Exactly, NefLes, Joey Two-Times will go as many times as it takes to stay front-&-center in the DC-ego-stroking line. His every move may be morally and politically repugnant, but as long as he keeps the spotlight, he’s aces.
So who knows what kind of 2-by-4 it’s gonna take to get his attention and finally convince him that this attention is the last kind he needs, though. D’ya suppose maybe Hadassah has read or seen Lysistrata?
Scarecrow, my friend, and kath, thanks so much. I work 12 hours tomorrow dear and think I will just take advantage of the tax holiday from Mitt to get an emergency computer on a coffee break, right around the corner from the office. I hear ya Coz, but my friend won’t let me shop online on her computer, she’s paranoid that way. It’s fine, because my son regularly tells me his computer doesn’t work, so we will always have a backup. I can always justify shopping!!!
I wish I could have been with you MA guys in CT, but no go for the achy working girl. I was there on your shoulders though.
I have to give this back so it can be used, but I just wanted to chime in so you don’t forget me. I’ll be back really soon, send good thoughts to the Geeks who are in computer ICU with my computer, m’kay?
Blessings to you all.
Lysistrata is amazing but I think Hadassah trying to talk Joe out of running makes no sense. Her big bucks Pharm job is totally based on Joe being in the Senate.
lotus @ 28
Hadassah has been stroking Joe’s ego for years.
It was interesting to watch her watching Joe in the primary.
I think they both live in the same delusionary world.
Zen — okay, but if you can’t find something very reasonable, let’s all connect on Monday evening on plan b. Tomorrow you can reach me at home – Somerville — I’m in the book; Monday, use my work number, which you have.
OMG —- See Raw Story: New York Times mulled printing wiretap story on eve of 2004 election
Shooogarp:
He’s not but don’t let that stop you.
That’s true, Steve — but I just wonder how people materially wealthy beyond my imagining can’t finally say “Enough’s enough, and we’ve got it” — and give a fig instead for their own reputations (especially the ones they supposedly believe will accompany them to an afterlife).
It’s too many for me.
justintime @ 31
Yeah, if Hadassah has read Lysistrata, she certainly doesn’t identify with her.
CinCTX, here’s that linky:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08…..ed.html?hp
lotus @ 35
Greed is addictive.
Once you’re hooked, you can never get enough.
So, in CT, don’t run against Republicans. Rather, run against incumbancy. This is an anti-incumbancy year. “Throw the bums out!” And that is what the CT voters have done, starting with Holy Joe.
Since I’m not a man but a flowah, how ’bout I give Joe a rap in the chops?
OT-I really hope Keller and the NYT get screwed over their decision to pull the NSA story the night before the election. Explain this BS to us, you sandbaggers.
Rahm’s bipolar. That’s the ONLY rationale I can muster for his incredibly imbecilic comment that Lieberman in the race could “help” House Democrats, just days after his on-target “love child” remark.
A respected high-ranking Democrat needs to publicly destroy what remains of Lieberman’s reputation. Now. He’s going to suck oxygen out of everything this fall.
Why does the Democratic leadership suck so hard?
lotus @ 40
If you can get through all the skin, maybe you can get his attention.
OK guys, it’s shameless self-promotion time, besides, it’s Saturday night and y’all need to hear some Good-Time American Music.
This is my band, from it’s SECOND practice. the songs are “Big V8″ by a guy from Dayton Ohio, a friend of the band, the other is a Chuck Berry song (and is there ANY music more American than Chuck Berry? I don’t think so).
Our first gig is in late September, in the SF Bay Area. Post your interest here and I’ll get in touch.
No Money Down
Big V8
meta, Keller and Pinch needed ousting a loooong time ago — Pinch most of all. I don’t know how the other Sulzbergers can stand what he’s let happen to their paper, from Howell Raines/Jayson Blair on.
Jane, keep at it, and we will as well. I want to take a moment to thank you for all you did in Connecticut, and for “introducing” me to Ned Lamont months ago. Whodathunkit? Well, apparently you!
Also, thanks for Matt O., who makes every Saturday terrific here, as does Howie. Quite the crew you’ve assembled, and I don’t want to exclude anyone, but the FDL Saturday Boiz sure make my day.
Thanks, Jane, for a wonderful community you and ReddHedd have here, and for sharing it with me.
========
Had Enough?
========
Tried the link above and found an article in today’s Courant on the influence of the bloggers, including Jane.
http://www.courant.com/news/po…..lines-home
Han’ me that 2-by-4, shooog.
Matt O: OT : Re “The Bush Agenda,Invading the World, One Economy at a Time”, Antonia Juhasz details Orders implemented by Bremmer’s Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq which made fundamental changes in Iraq’s economic structures. All to favour US Corporations. Is she correct to state that these provisions are still in place today in Iraq?
Meta – The NYT (and MSM in general) is so fearful of being labeled as “liberal” they can’t even do honest reporting anymore. Its digusting. I I am so cynical these days that I have to say I doubt Keller will get in any serious trouble over it. If anything he will be applauded for not being “partisan” over national security issues at election time. Sigh…
I can sort of understand Rahm’s thinking. HoJo’s GOPperie may cause problems for someone like Chris Shays, who’s done his best to create a distance between himself and Bush in a district that keeps him around primarily on personality.
Let’s see if people can get Shays on record endorsing every single numbskulled thing that HoJo and the HoJo cheerleaders say. Whenever HoJo puts out a statement, phone up Shays’ office and ask if he agrees with it. Same with Johnson and Simmons. Now that HoJo has gone completely over the edge, let’s push the CT GOPpers with him.
scarecrow @ 47
angry bloggerconcerned American who happens to communicate with a computermeta, got your email and sent you a couple back.
Note – Ned will be on Face the Nation and then on Fox News Sunday tomorrow.
Feingold on DLC
i think everyone needs to chill about the dems not coming down hard on joeicide to drop the independent run madness. they will- when the time is right. and they have a poll showing him losing in a three way race. his ego is on auto-pilot now, he will crash in good time.
The Dems and the Indies in CT will reject Joe and his three Republican House amigos. No problema. The incumbents are going to get washed away in every blue state (and a few red ones).
Ladies and Gentleman set your tivo. This Sunday might be worth it.
Dear Ned,
ATTACK!
Thank you,
Eureka (rabid lamb)AR
Thanks for that Courant linky, scarecrow!
Indeed.
The only claim I think Spencer got wrong there is the always-laughable “The audience for blogs is primarily people under 30, … .”
When oh when will these journos ever get past that bunkum?
you know, it’s aout time lieberman was embarrased out of public life
the dlc has to start remouncing him and everyhing he does
lurkers’r’us @ 55
Agree, he’s clearly digging his own hole deeper as evidenced in the last few days. Let him keep digging.
The Nefarious Leslie @
53
Thank you! Looking forward to this.
Yo, Eureka! Say, was that Rooster Blue critter around here a few days ago you in a chicken suit? Whadja do, decamp to Springdale for a couple of days?
wow, i’m under 30, who knew?
Another article re JL trying to get outside support. It’s over on HuffPo, too. Shows comments from Liz, Lamont’s press sec.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/w…..htm?csp=15
Rahm and Schumer and Clinton and Reid.
Do they all have the same playbook?
Politics is a contact game.
Get it together Dems.
We want the House really bad!
Joe is off the team.
No committees.
No nuthin.
Ned’s on Fox?
I’m not so sure that’s wise. He’s going to get some ugly questions.
Three things to do to stop or minimize Lieberman’s bonfire of the vanities:
1) Put intense pressure on him to drop out, both publicly and behind the scenes. We need every significant Democratic figure to publicly push Lieberman. And I don’t consider Bob Kerrey or Ken Salazar to be significant.
2) Put pressure on the backers, lobbyists and consultants who work with Democratic candidates and politicians. Let them know in no uncertain terms that supporting Lieberman will damage their credibility within the party structure.
3) Push Lieberman hard on the record to reinforce his more liberal positions. Make him stink of the Democrat he claims to be, so republicans will like him less.
I think the third point is very, very important. Most democratic voters are disgusted by Lieberman’s sense of entitlement, so they don’t need to know how much he’s loved by republicans. I think the public endorsement by the likes of Hannity and O’Reilly has damaged him plenty in that regard.
The more Lieberman is forced to publicly announce his support for the kinds of things the GOP hate machine is against, the more he’ll be a turn off for republican voters.
lotus — under 30? Guess they counted me twice.
The London Sunday Times has a piece on Hillary and the Connecticut race with some really infuriating quotes from Mike McCurry, who’s completely bought the RNC talking-points depiction of Dems as weak on terror if they’re also anti-Iraq war.
He’s busy trying to dig himself out of a hole that only exists because he believes in it.
TeddySanFran @ 64
LOL – on the internets, we’re all young!
Master Jack — trust this guy; he and his campaign folks know what they’re doing.
Look, we’ve been complaining that many other Dems don’t know how to explain the Lamont phenomenon — look at Rahm’s silly remarks in Jane’s post — but Lamont does know how to explain himself. This is a good thing to be on Fox.
lurkers’r’us, I totally agree with you about the importance of future polling.
I just want to add, though, were it not for Joe’s total selfishness, he would have endorsed Ned and the race would be practically over. Hillary wouldn’t have had to give $5,000 to someone running against a Dino. Every day Joe stays “in,” drains scarce resources from other races where we need them.
Yeh, scarecrow, and they musta counted my quintessential age, 27.
Master Jack, I don’t worry a bit about Ned ’s getting nasty POXy questions. He’s fully loaded for bear and so comfortable in his own skin that they won’t find an opening to get under it (because there just isn’t one).
Curious in Central Texas @ 33
Almost only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. It sure as hell doesn’t win points for journalistic integrity.
Which FOX show will Ned be on?
lotus – Rootster Blue pops out on special days for eggzample, elections. He drinks liberally, pecks on doors, one eyes evil doers, and scratches up big red barnyards all ’round in these here hills. He never lets a winger sleep in. He loves a lively hen house.
Earth to Rahm: Don’t you think Ned Lamont will also be talking about those things? And a hell of a lot more convincingly?
The more I listen to what passes for our leadership, the easier it is for me to understand why the Dems lose so often.
John C, mind you, Joe used to be a DINO, but those days are past.
Now he’s strictly a CFL (an especially skanky one, at that).
choochmac @
50
Chooch, I know, but I’m outraged that they chose to enable this government in their unlawful activity and they knew it! Not reporting the truth is a betrayal and disservice to the nation. This is outrageious!
And then I read this in the Courant:
“Conventional wisdom holds that a mob of ragged bloggers hoisted the previously unknown Lamont upon their shoulders early this year and muscled their way through the befuddled electorate to victory over a well-known, well-financed three-term incumbent.”
WTF?????
I think my quintessential age fluctuates between 5 and 500.
well, in a way i think that rahm could be correct. despite being on the wrong side of the war issue, joe does have some democratic credentials. he certianly was busy touting his “progressive” status during the primary. he’s going to have to make good on those positions if he hope to keep any dems on his side. if he doesn’t he going to lose all those primary voters who believed his “i AM a dem” line. on the other side all those undeserved endorsements from pro-choice groups that joe is so proud of aren’t going to help him in the eyes of more conservative voters. do-over joe wants to have it both ways, but now that he can’t call himself a democrat sooner or later he’s going to have to come out on the issues and then i’d look for a big change in his poll numbers.
I’m under 30? Man, those were some rough miles.
Oh lawd, did I misspell he? My abject apologies to Rootster Blue, whose feathers I’d never want to ruffle!
lotus @ 77
A CFL – or, for less short, a “CoFo Joe”
Master Jack @ 66
He’s unflappable. I’m not worried about it even if the questions come right out of a GOP ‘think tank’, and they will. Right, Brit Hume?
noted lotus, thanks.
The Nefarious Leslie @ 71
Can I be good looking, too? and a couple inches taller? thanks
I emailed Kerry and Hillary today, spelled out my past support,they can both check their donor lists and find my name. I emailed the DNC and the DSCC. Does this do any good? I’m really getting frustrated at the lip service Lamont has been getting from the Beltway Dems.
Thanks, Cozumel
http://www.vetojoe.com
:)
You know, Eureka, Rootster Blue reminds me of a favorite sayin’ of my friendly insurance agent — one that fits Joey Two-Times to the famous T:
Some days ya get chicken, and some days, feathers.
scarecrow @ 47
THANKS for this link and Spazeboy makes the papers:
http://www.courant.com/news/po…..lines-home
Were the NARAL and HumanRightsCamp endorsements for the primary or for the kit’nkaboodle? Because those organizations need to get on the NED bandwagon right quick!
There’ll be good [read: easy] “comparison” stories for TradMed when John Edwards campaigns for NED next week, contrasting the trajectories of the Democratic nominees for Veep in 2000 and 2004.
I still think Tipper needs to call Hadassah tomorrow, and if that doesn’t help, then Al and BigDog need to go public in a call for Joe to end this insanity.
Joe must be stopped, now!
puppethead @ 67
Number 1 requires Dem leadership to get on the same page with each other.
Number 2: Who should apply the pressure?
Number 3 makes a lot of sense to me. Force Joe to expose himself in public.
Jane — just wondering about the Rahm position. These guys are constantly asking us for money. Does it make sense to send messages into DCCC about how much money they’re going to have to focus on the 3 Ct seats to counter the all the anti-Dem stuff JL’s been spouting. We could all be faxing our favorite JL quotes to Rahm tomorrow and Monday morning. Rahm needs to be disabused quickly. What do you suggest?
I still think Tipper needs to call Hadassah tomorrow, and if that doesn’t help, then Al and BigDog need to go public in a call for Joe to end this insanity.
I don’t think the Gores and the Liebermans are socializing much these last few years, and I have seen in several places that Hadassah is pushing Joe hard to stay in the race. I really REALLY want Gore to go to CT and campaign for Ned, and start invoking the 11th commandment at JoMO.
This is OT but I just found this at Crooks & Liars:
Source: U.S., U.K. at odds over timing of arrests
By: John Amato @ 5:04 PM – PDT
Anyone doubt the timing of this story now?
British wanted to continue surveillance on terror suspects, official says. NBC News has learned that U.S. and British authorities had a significant disagreement over when to move in on the suspects in the alleged plot to bring down trans-Atlantic airliners bound for the United States.
A senior British official knowledgeable about the case said British police were planning to continue to run surveillance for at least another week to try to obtain more evidence, while American officials pressured them to arrest the suspects sooner. The official spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the case.
In contrast to previous reports, the official suggested an attack was not imminent, saying the suspects had not yet purchased any airline tickets. In fact, some did not even have passports.
Here’s the link to the story on MSNBC:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14320452/
(I apologize if I did this incorrectly, Im new here and not quite sure of the protocol.)
This has got to help us right?
Eureka, when it gets unModded, they’s a small yolk for you at 90 ^.
Jim @ 94
Wait, do we Democrats HAVE an eleventh commandment? If we do, I am in trouble!
meta @ 79
I hear you. Holding back evidence of such disrepect for the Constitution is breathtaking. Hey here’s an idea – maybe there is a “mob of ragged bloggers” who can muscle their way through the MSM and communicate with a befuddled media industry and show them how the job is supposed to done!
My dream of dreams would be for impeachment proceedings to begin. But that obviously can’t happen without a Democratic Congressional takeover this fall. I’m relatively certain Joe Lieberman is acutely aware of this. Could be that this fact, and Rove of course, is the driving force behind the decision by Lieberman to run as an independent. To prevent impeachment.
Yeah, you just know Lieberman will milk the NARAL and other endorsements like mad. I’d really be curious to know where they stand now and if there’s a precedent for changing their, um, scorecard in a situation like this.
And puppethead, most excellent comment above. Joe has to become unpalatable to the republican voters, so much so they’ll sit this one out or vote for their own pitiful candidate.
I haven’t had the time to read all the comments but just ran across this editorial in a Philly paper. It’s just a doozy! woo hoo!
http://www.philly.com/mld/dail…..249007.htm
Welcome joysness.
It is certainly interesting, although it is now being spun that “we are more vigilent since 9/11″.
If we had a credible media, the questions being raised might be investigated and brought to the public’s attention.
shhddgsg.
Sorry, I just spit sode on my comp from laughing.
We all know it’s “terror in the sky” time. Afterall, need to sell ads, and get people to watch when they’d rather be enjoying their summer.
GOd, I am getting so cynical.
joysness — wow, that’s a really important story, because it suggests (to me) that the bushies deliberately rushed the British to make the arrests so they could step all over the growing Lamont story. This is what Rayne was showing us earlier today/yesterday with her research.
Makes it even more important that Lamont go on Fox and CBS and show the Dems how to relate the “terror” story to the pro-Lamont/anti Joe and anti Bush themes that can carry the Dems. This is good.
Enough with the handwringing about what Joe’s gonna do or not do! Best thing is just to come out swinging and fight hard every day, keep defining the issues and keep asserting the way forward.
TeddySanFran @ 97
Though shalt not hurl Rovian talking points at the winner of a democratic primary. How’s that?
joysness –
Yes, you did that right; so no, no apology required; and yes, that should help us (among news-following Americans only, of course); but no, you’re not new here anymore, you’re part of this big ol’ ever-lovin’, looney-tunes, rabid-lamby fambly!
Hotcha!
joysness @ 95
Joysness. OT and ‘breaking news’ is always welcome and keeps us cutting edge.
Hiya, BTW!
Hiya, sandlin!
You’re welcome. I’m not sure for what though, reassurance? ; )
The current Dem leadership have been so useless because they don’t represent us. They represent those moderates, corporatists, neocon-lites, msm pseudo-journalists and are enamored with their status as incumbents.
It’s going to take a few elections with us pushing our candidates down their throats, and kicking their guys out of office to get their attention. It’s sad but true.
Until then they are going to be big disappointments. Fortunately for us, we have proven that we don’t need them to bring about change, we can do it on our own! And with a few victories under our belts, the more responsive the others will be.
The MSM is more tricky. We have to go after their corporate owners to change their coverage. And by the time we pull that off, msm media outlets will be even more irrelevant than they are today. It’s like campaining against the opinions of makers of illuminated manuscripts, at the beginning of the age of the printing press. Dominating the new media is way more efficient than worrying about the old.
Okay, Bill and Al are both doing fundraisers for Tammy Duckworth, they sure as hell oughta be able to fit a trip to CT into their schedules.
Matt Stoller has an article at mydd http://www.mydd.com/story/2006/8/12/205819/682 that I think helps make sense of what is going on with the dems. Read it and weep.
Kewalo @ 101
That is a great editorial. Thanks for linking!
joysness says:
The ineptness of this administration is astounding. Let’s not keep following all the leads and hope to get the top guys- no, that would make too much sense. I just read Suskind’s The One Percent Doctrine and it really is amazing how they have no vision of where, when and how to marshall forces and how to priortize resources.
Actually, I’ve been a lurker for over a month and have posted a couple comments.
Thanks for the welcome.
Youse guys is awwsome.
This is the first time in my life I have been in touch with so many intelligent, articulate people all “in the same room at the same time.”
Justintime–Joe Lieberman expose himself in public? Ackkk! No! Anything but that.
Down in Arkansas, as Pach noted earlier this week, we have a Lieber loving Senator Pryor. He openly supports Joe and plans to give money donated to him by AR Dems to Joe and his new campaign. A lot of people are on fire now. Constituents are asking for a return of donations and taking vows to replace him. The CT election was a wonderful wake up call for this state. When speaking of Lieberman, include Mark Pryor to the *hit list. Those who must be removed. Angry rabid lamb letters to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and Senator Pryor are always a good idea.
justintime @ 92
The answer to number two is a combination of the Dem leadership and people like us, who expose all of the dealings Lieberman has with certain people. Use how lobbyist Richard Goodstein was exposed as an operative of Lieberman as an example. The more we publicly expose the kinds of back room deals going on, the less people will want to risk getting caught doing stuff they shouldn’t.
joysness @ 113
Yeah, it’s pretty cool, isn’t it? :)
Keep the heat on Jane, and all y’all at FDL. I am furious that the Dem party has allowed Lieberman to fester for even a few days. Tell me where to direct my displeasure and I ( and family) will begin to rant in the right direction.
Choochmac: “Hey here’s an idea – maybe there is a “mob of ragged bloggers” who can muscle their way through the MSM and communicate with a befuddled media industry and show them how the job is supposed to done!”
It appears to be our only hope!
Wow, Kewalo 103, “doozy” is an understatement!
Catch this lede, y’all:
I have avoided commenting these last few days because I have been in such a negative mood that no one needs more whining from me.
But really, who is going to turn this bus around? Ned can’t do it by himself. This fall is a test to see if the dems have learned how to fight. We have, but we have refs who are not calling fouls and the opposition who keeps moving the goal posts.
And to find that the terror arrests did not have to be done exactly after the primary, but was hurried up, does not surprise me at all. Ned will have to fight this one all by himself. The fact is, they (the dcdems) want to defeat US more than they want to take back the Senate.
O.K. back to lurking mode
choochmac @ 112
My thoughts exactly.
I was just looking at a bunch of news stories about the extreme security screening (all from Google US news page here). There were scattered mentions that the DHS hasn’t put the money in for the new screening technology. There were scattered head comments that the new screening and carryon rules won’t do any good — And, there were suggestions that TSA/DHS needs to move to more focus on the people flying (background checks, interviews).
the tinfoil hat tingles.
LL @ 111
Thanks, LL; good article. I suspect there’s a lot of truth in it – but recognizing the problem is the first step toward battling it. Removing the neocons and their supporters from power has got to be at the top of our priority list.
In the conversation over at Orcinus about right-wing authoritarian (RWA) personalities, one of the points made was that 9/11 caused a greater authoritarian response in the population at large, not just among those already predisposed toward the RWA mindset. The good news there is that the RWA response that has gripped so much of the country is only innate for a small percentage; the rest can be reached.
choochmac @ 112
There’s a reason why America doesn’t want the Brits to know the top guys — it’s the same reason America flew all the Saudis and binLadens outta the country after 911 before the Feds could question them.
Our Preznit works for the Saud.
Nefarious Leslie: Do you have a link for Orcinus?
hi GrandmaJ!
LL @ 110
That’s pretty devastating, all right. I’ll be watching the Bolton vote with much greater insight now.
Eureka,who is there to run against Pryor in ‘08? Vic Snyder is the only one I can think of but he doesn’t have any money. After Alito, I knew Pryor was a piece of crap.
Anybody that doesn’t vote for Joe Dead Zone Lieberman is an AlQaeda terrorist? Man, it is getting way too psych in the White House.
I can’t decide if this is funny or not:
LITERARY BUSH: President reads Camus’s ‘The Stranger’ on ranch vacation
joysness @ 113
Forgot to say “hi” from one recent de-lurker to another. I know how you feel. It can be humbling reading some of the posts with insights I could never articulate so well, but I’ve starting posting now and then just to participate in the discussions and I feel better just to have expressed myself.
astralplame @ 123,
Recall how hard Bush fought against the creation of the TSA in the first place. I don’t even believe this “liquid terror” thing is real, even if the Brits were involved. Actually, the terror from this has been achieved, by causing massive disruption of air travel. Someone put together a simple comic strip to illustrate terror is about disruption, not killing.
Hey, lookit – over at dKos, Jerome a Paris thinks we should start educating the public about the fact that bloggers are ordinary people like everyone else.
Synchronicity, anybody?
GrandmaJ:
Check out Matt Stoller’s piece linked by LL 110. You’ll find it most interesting. It’s not a pretty picture but it’s quite intriguing.
The good news there is that the RWA response that has gripped so much of the country is only innate for a small percentage; the rest can be reached.
NefLes, the rest not only can be reached but are being reached.
Ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you the current data from FDL’s site-meter?
How ’bout THEM punkin muffins?
meta @ 132
He’s imploding. Why get out the fire hose. I’d much rather sit back and enjoy the fireworks! LOL
NefLes—that Orcinus thread is a phenomenal read. I’ve refreshed well over a dozen times today hoping for part two. If you see it before I do, please post a link over here.
Curious—here’s the link to part one:
http://dneiwert.blogspot.com/2…..ining.html
Eureka and Steve, is Mark Pryor’s daddy still alive?
Curious in Central Texas @ 127
Here’s Part I of a series on the RWA personality (posted yesterday; rest of the series is not up yet). Some interesting commenters over there. Our own TeddySF put in an appearance as well. :)
new thread – AND my first zero! time for a cigarette.
This is the first time in my life I have been in touch with so many intelligent, articulate people all “in the same room at the same time.”
And what I love best of all about ‘em, they’re silly too!
Looks like we are in EPU territory. – new thread.
RBG @ 139
Yeah, I’ve been doing the same, RBG; I’m hoping the reason for the delay is that Mrs. R is reading a lot of the material that was linked in the comment thread, so she can incorporate it.
Did someone get Shrub the Cliff’s Notes version of The Stranger? Because I don’t think he can follow the regular version. (Yes, I read it, years ago. Not my style.)
I hit Rahm’s House site, and let him have it on his view of Lieberman (something like ‘the hell he’s going to help Democrats!’). He needs to do some fixing on his site, too: requiring the 9-digit zip is a bit much!
lotus @ 143
Ahem. I am never silly. I do all things with the utmost dignity.
TeddySF – Hi back to you. Thanks to you and others who posted your support a couple of days ago when I voiced my worry about personal matters. I had nothing to add at that time other than sounds of a mother’s worry.
Nothing I can do but wait to see if my son wants to talk more. I am making myself sick worrying, so am trying to stay away from political frustrations to add on top of my personal worries. But they do break through sometimes.
The Nefarious Leslie @ 148
Riiiiiight
Steve @ 128
Snyder would be my pick right now. I am watching this blog. Looking for that very answer.
http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/
lotus – Yes, Daddy lives.
Eureka Springs, AR @ 114
Hmm. Pryor gave the Democratic rebuttal to Bush’s radio address this morning. He’s also one of the Dems who’s endorsed Lieberman. I wonder if there’s some behind the scenes activity going on there, or if these things are scheduled well in advance.
Jim @ 131
That really frightens me. Mommy’s funeral, murdering Arabs, religion, execution. Well, he isn’t capable of understanding what he reads, right?
The Nefarious Leslie @ 134
Guess we’re all getting fed up at the same time. I hope this gets some traction.
Thanks for pointing this out. I’ve got a file going with press clips about all this.
Jim @ 131
The only answer is that is hilarious because you know he is not actually reading it. Maybe Cheney is and he gets the brief memo on it.
Here’s what I wrote on Teddy SF’s blog at Giveemhellharry.com:
Dear Senator Reid:
First, thank you for making this means available for us to communicate with you.
I am heartsick over what Joe Lieberman is doing to our party, and by extension, to our country.
By refusing to honor the will of the voters of Connecticut, he is thumbing his nose at Democracy itself.
As he selfishly stands in the way of Ned Lamont, he uses up funds, time and talent that should be going to the three house seats that Democrats could win this fall if they have the resources they need.
Perhaps even more damaging, as long as Lieberman publicly belittles and denigrates Democrats and the Democratic party (on national television and in print and in his campaign ads) he invites and encourages the scurrilous slanders Republican and media people are raining down upon our party.
Joe Lieberman could cause the loss of many seats this fall, that otherwise would go to Democrats.
He could put an immediate stop to these slurs by saying, “Because I love my party and my country, I will stand down in favor of the nominated candidate of the Democratic Party. Ned Lamont is a good man and will make a fine Senator for Connecticut. I urge you to vote for him as I will.”
Please do everything within your power to stop the Republican onslaught – - encouraged by Sen. Lieberman’s stubborness – - of lies and slurs that claim we Democrats are traitors and terrorist sympathizers.
I fear for our party and our country if Joe Lieberman isn’t reined in.
Thank you.
Hard for me to feature David Pryor doing this, but maybe I’ve been out of touch with Arkinsaw fer too long. (I know I have for non-political purposes.)
meta @ 153
meta…some vols for the “I’m a Blogger” video? ~ Just a thought.
He is a clone of Joe. Calls Joe his favorite teacher in the Senate.
choochmac @ 156
Shoot — the blog ate my comment, which was …
“Nope, I can’t see Deadeye reading it either. Maybe Pickles?”
Lou Costello, yes. Thanks.
You know, Eureka, Rootster Blue reminds me of a favorite sayin’ of my friendly insurance agent — one that fits Joey Two-Times to the famous T:
Some days ya get chicken, and some days, feathers.
HA! My Grandmother had a trivet with “Chicken Today, Feathers Tomorrow” on it.
Oh, now I see — it didn’t eat it, it just jumped a line. (Author as innocent as a new-laid egg, doncha know.)
meta, I swear I’ll email you tomorrow. I swear.
RBG and NefLeslie — I found it — thanks for the link. Yes, I agree — the post is excellent. Thanks again. I can’t wait for John Dean’s appearance here —
Mrs. R has posted Orcinus Part II.
The voters of CT need to have the HoJo=Rethuglican equation layed out for them in stark terms.
If the folks in CT don’t get it, they will surpass the numb-skulls of CA who not only loved being fucked blind by Enron, but went on to elect Arnold the no-neck knuckle dragger to ‘govern’ them.
Brilliant move by CA, CT will follow if not enlighened.
Real adults are Never “misguided”, by anyone.
A real adults can only have failed to educate themselves. It’s a shallow non-excuse to say that you were “mislead” on Any issue.
A real adult’s responsiblity in the course of politics is to take charge of their own opinions. No one is going to tell you the “Truth”. The truth on any given issue is what you have personnally arrived at by looking at the problem from as many different angles as possible.
The Rethug strategy in CT is transparent, how can anyone give voters in CT a “pass” on critical thinking???
Should CT citizens sleep on it?
Sleep is a poor substitute for caffeine.
Puppethead, Matt Stoller’s important article ties in with your number 2.
Joe has always been driven by AIPAC and that’s why the GOP & neocons want to keep Joe in the game.
AIPAC is the reason why our Middle East policy is so screwed up.
Schumer, Emmanuel and Clinton are all in on this with Joe and many others in Congress.
It’s critical that AIPAC’s influence be exorcised from Congressl but this will be extrememly difficult to pull off..
puppethead @
118
lotus @
59
I had the same thought and wrote:
I’m no longer going to get excercised over Joe continuing to flagelate himself after he was ejaculated from the party. When his self abuse makes it too sore to play with, he will put it up and go away. Even a case full of Rush’s little helpers will not keep his limp efforts erect. And I am firm in this opinion.
lotus @
166
Haaaahaaaaa. Don’t worry about a thing, my dear.
Kurt @
110
Kurt’s absolutely correct about the current Democratic establishment. We – the Grassroots Dems – need to show these “Beltway Dems” the strong need to stand up to the Republicans who are ruining our country.
I’m so mad at the enabling Dems who should have spoken up years ago and didn’t. Get rid of them ALL and start all over!
I agree OFG. Just keep the pressure on and all will be fine in CT.
YEAH, LindyH — you go, grrrrl!
Christopher Shays is one of the most valuable members of the House regardless of party, he is consistent, independent, and constantly focused on the issues that matter. His hearings on the federal whistleblower regulations went unnoticed by the media, he constantly challenges the administration. If anything the Bush administration could care less if Shays retains his seat. To say that Shays is scheming because of Lieberman’s setback is fantasy.
The last time I looked at it “The Stranger” had no pictures. Maybe Bush is reading the graphic novel version.
joysness @
97
What I want to know is how Americans make decisions about what actions British police and intellegence services will take?
LATE NITE is up. fyi
http://www.firedoglake.com/200…..o/#respond
Guess I will have to break my usual ban on Fox News Sunday to see Ned…wonder if Chris Wallace will hit him with the “al Qaeda candidate” slur that’s making the rounds.
Still think there is back-channel pressure being brought to bear, even while there is a public avoidance of piling-on. I suspect though, that there’s a drop-dead date on that avoidance, and if Joe hasn’t figured out a way to save face by Labor Day, I think the Dem establishment is going to stomp him into little more than a grease spot.
I also think you have to allow for a little bit of campaign fatigue; the people of CT have been bombarded almost hourly with phone calls and TV/radio ads. I think those who were able to vote in the primary will have seen and heard plenty that helps them solidify their choice for the general. The unaffiliateds, and some of those Dems who did vote for Joe have to have been very turned off by some of the Cheney-esque things he’s been saying since he lost, which do nothing to counter all of his attempts to distance himself from the Bush administration.
It is my fervent hope that Joe ends up being shunned by both Democrats and Republicans alike, at all levels – from the voters all the way up to the highest levels of both parties.
When Ned hits ‘em out of the park tomorrow, and shows America that he is not the devil in disguise that Joe is painting him to be, Joe is just going to look like the small man he really is. Anyone can be gracious and polite and accommodating when things are going well; it is adversity and challenge that reveal the true measure of someone. Thank goodness CT – and America – are getting to see the “real” Joe Lieberman. It sure ain’t pretty.
Guitar Playing Bastard @
44
GPB… interested, very interested. when and where, please.
Who says Rahm isn’t worried? These are public statements, not a private assessment. What if he’s spinning Joe’s independent bid favorably? That’s what the GOP does and it works with the Press
Anyone know?
I think Joe is going run regardless of who says what to him. You have to manage these races as if he’s running and not act worried.
Rahm has no choice but to publicly spin Joe as good news for Dems chances in the House. If Joe does drop out, there’s no harm.
Rahm probably thinks Joe’s bad for the House races but he’s got a job to make the press report a different story — Joe is good for the House Dems.
GOP Joe is running on Dem social issues and where he differs from the Dems is his support for the disastrous war and cooperating with Bush. Like Joe, GOP moderates want to talk about their “progressive stance” on social issues. Instead the race will focus on the issues where people are most at odds with El President.
People want a counter force to Bush and the GOP. Joe might force the issue with his plea for “unity” behind a loser policy and leader.
Oklahoma kiddo @
101
This article has convinced me that the Democrats should make impeachment a major campaign issue this fall.
LL @
112
The following is from that article by Matt Stoller:
Thus far, the libertarians and the paleoconservatives (e.g., Justin Raimondo and Pat Buchannan) are about the only American groups who have been willing to take on the Israel lobby. Ultimately, American progressives must step up to the plate as well. This article at Counterpunch gives a lot of excellent perspective.
Wigwam 187, Great article,
The De-Zionization of the American Mind, By JEAN BRICMONT
very timely, thanks!
Aztrias @
185
Good point.
But I think the Dems need a unified message very soon.
Wigwam @
187
Matt Stoller’s article gives a clear and logical explanation as to the comments, actions and stances of Hillary, Schumer, Emmanuel and a lot of other politicians.
His presentation makes it obvious why Lieberman is continuing.
We need to really understand this if we’re to carry on our fight to regain the political power that, ostensibly, resides in the American electorate. It will not be easy. What we’re up against is not just the Bush administration and the Republithugs. We do not want to look back in a year and realize that Lamont’s victory was a Pyrrhic one.
Please, everyone read Stoller’s article and ponder it.
Fund-raising for Diane, Joe, et. al. will also be hurt by Lieberman’s continued presence. You want to finish the job on Joe, so you may give more to Lamont, money not available to the others.
I hate to say it, (I really do) but if our hopes for taking back the house can be derailed by one putz like Joe-nertia, then we don’t deserve to get the house back.
If our strategy relies on everything lining up in our favor, on everything being perfect, else it all goes to the Republicans, well, that’s not a strategy we can rely on for future victories.
…. Regardless, what can someone on the West Coast do to coax Lieberman out of the race? What can I do to support those three vulnerable Dems from all the way out here?
Jane, one thing I know about politics (and I’m not saying I know a lot) is that I don’t know everything that’s going on. No matter how well informed I am, there is always a piece of information I don’t have. And that’s the nature of politics, that a lot of it happens underground, in secret. I think knowing that–that you can never be sure that you have all the information–is the most important thing to know. You probably know this too, but your article sounds like you may have forgotten it for the moment. The point is, we don’t know how far JoeLie’s arm is being twisted around his back right now. Looking at it from a distance, it makes sense to give him some space to digest reality and review his options, which aren’t very pretty for him either right now. Not that I necessarily believe that he’ll do the right thing. Nor am I positive there’s some hard arm twisting going on in a back alley somewhere, but it stands to reason. We should DEFINITELY keep the pressure on Reid, Emmanuel, etc and do what Puppethead suggests above. But it’s too early in the scheme of things to get even a tiny bit discouraged. Give the man’s arm some time to get as sore as his head. And give him a little time to make some more mistakes.
Hey, my post got deleted.