It’s back-to-school week in Washington DC, and just to make sure everybody knows he’s for up for grabs and they better be nice to him, Lieberman’s people leaked this little threatining bit of info to the Washington Post:
The three-term senator is bucking his party after a bitter primary loss, running as an independent in hopes of holding onto his seat. He will find a long line of Democratic colleagues and friends who now oppose his candidacy."It’s gotta be pretty uncomfortable," predicted Charles Franklin, a political science professor at the University of Wisconsin at Madison.
Concerns about the senator’s return were evident in an internal memo obtained by The Associated Press.
"We should discuss his schedule when he’s in DC and whether it makes sense to go to Caucus events, etc. or not," wrote a senior Lieberman aide to several other top staffers.
The memo sought input on 13 likely questions from the media about Lieberman, including whether he or his staff had tried to shore up support among House and Senate colleagues, and what kind of reception he expected from fellow Democrats.The three-term senator is bucking his party after a bitter primary loss, running as an independent in hopes of holding onto his seat. He will find a long line of Democratic colleagues and friends who now oppose his candidacy.
Got that? Joe’s promise to caucus with the Democrats and Reid is 100% pure, unmitigated bullshit. He’s going to threaten and terrorize everyone like he always does, and let’s be very clear — with the way things in November are shaking up, Joe could very well be the seat that gives either the Democrats or the Republicans control of the Senate.
Now, Ned Lamont would be a secure Democrat and a certain vote for Harry Reid. He is within striking distance of Lieberman in the polls, and the momentum is all on his side. There is absolutely no reason for the Dems not to kick his ass and put all their money and resouces behind Ned if what they really want to do is secure control of the Senate; Joe is way too thin-skinned to handle that kind of opposition, and despite his bent for acts of besiality with the GOP, his race would crumble.
No, the only reasons not to use all their energy to secure the seat for a solid Democrat are extremely dubious. Is it simply a matter of the Incumbency Protection Racket? Or is their fear of Lamont’s supporters so abject that they’re willing to risk the whole ballgame just to thumb their nose at them? Are they so attached to their minority status that they are gripped with some kind of fear of success? Or does Lieberman have some kind of amazing photo collection of key Democrats and domesticated farm animals?
Whatever it is, it looks extraordinarily bad that they don’t have what it takes to stand up to Lieberman, and are allowing themselves to have a weak little churl so publicly yanking their chain. When Harry Reid responds to this kind of manipulation by saying Joe is a "nice guy," or Chuck Schumer wants to pretend that the most hotly contested race of this election cycle simply does not exist, they look like anything but leaders. (Although I’m sure it would be extra tough for Shumer. He has many of the same big New York donors as Lieberman, and they have been reportedly putting enormous pressure on him to support Joe.)
Joe is weak. His campaign is in chaos. Who will be the first to say enough of this shit, it’s time to stand up to this and play offense for November?
Schumer needs to stick a fork in him. He’s done.
Update: And just in case it wasn’t already crystal clear, from the AP:
Lieberman did not say whether he would attend the traditional Tuesday luncheon with other Democratic senators. He said the demands of the campaign could limit his Washington schedule, though he stressed he would be in the Senate for key votes and other business.
This reluctant virgin crap is getting real old, real fast. It’s pathetic to watch our putative "leaders" being so shamelessly manipulated by it.
(graphic by NeoJoe)
Related posts:
- Lieberman-Graham Threaten to Shut Down Senate, Add Detainee Photo Suppresion Amendment to FDA Tobacco Regulation Bill
- Rachel Maddow Redux: Dangers of Keeping Lieberman in Caucus (from November 2008)
- Rockefeller Jumps on the “Blame Reid for Killing the Public Option” Bandwagon
- Harry Reid: “Leave Lieberman Alone, I’ll Handle Him”
- Chris Matthews Misleads Viewers on Viability of Public Option
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Olbermann! Stewart! Colbert! Murrow!
Olbermann!!! (just for today, had to do it)
keith
Sen. Lieberman expects cool response
WASHINGTON – Sen. Joe Lieberman, whose independent re-election bid has rankled Democrats, says he expects a cold shoulder or two from Senate colleagues when he returns to Washington next week
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/200…..t_senate_4
Schumer: “It’s not personal, Sonny. It’s strictly business.” Simple as that.
HoJo always loves a (self) pity party…
so, Lieberman’s staff intentionally leaked this memo?!? and this makes him look good how….?
funniest. caption/photo. ever.
And this is exactly right. As Digby has been reminding us periodically, Democrats look weak when they allow themselves to be rolled by “little churls”. The message is “we’re afraid of our own shadow”, which makes voters — especially potential Democratic voters — wonder if the incumbent Democrats are capable of standing up for anything. If they’re capable of really fighting for any of the pie-in-the-sky promises they make during their campaigns. Whether they’ll do fucking anything to supervise and check Bush.
When people like Shumer deliver this kind of weak message, a lot of potential voters just say to themselves, I’ve got a hair appointment on election day. If voting really mattered it’d be illegal”
The names and addresses of perhaps the top 200 Democratic donors to Joe’s campaign since August 8, that’s a very important list. I think a lot of FDLers would be interested in sending polite surface mail to those people, asking them to support the winner of the Democratic primary in CT. It might take some heat off Schumur.
If we have some success with the top 200, we could target the next 200.
Got that? …He’s going to threaten and terrorize everyone like he always does…
Is he driving a taxi by day in DC?
Let’s hope the Dems get some backbone soon!
Mr. Schumer also ought to realize that Connecticut borders NY. There aren’t too many New Yorkers that endorse Joe. Politics is politics but Schumer’s got to show he’s got a little bit more to offer than merely playing the game and herding sheep. Do you hear that Mr. Schumer? New Yorkers are watching what you do for the party in Connecticut, and if you don’t show the requisite appetite for enthusiastic support of the Democratic nominee, Ned Lamont, it just might come back to bite you and the ass. So how about it? You want a Democratic Senator to fill that seat, don’t you?
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, I don’t see Schumer confronting Lieberman
If anyone is counseling Democrats to go easy on Lieberman just in case he wins, a question: How would he act differently?
Whether Democrats oppose him, support him, or tiptoe out of the room wherever he appears, he will pursue the same objectives by the same means.
punaise @ 11
Al Pacino’s retired?
The WaPo blurb has some repeated paragraphs in it.
OldCoastie @ 7
My take was that it was Democrats, employed by Joe, who are dismayed that he is de facto the
neoconRepublican candidate in CT.al-Scooter @ 16
nice catch punaise
The names and addresses of perhaps the top 200 Democratic donors to Joe’s campaign since August 8, that’s a very important list. I think a lot of FDLers would be interested in sending polite surface mail to those people, asking them to support the winner of the Democratic primary in CT. It might take some heat off Schumur.
I hope we don’t go down this road. The Republicans would just return fire and then many people would decide the pressures of political donations are not worth the bother.
The biggest enemy of Democratic party are the establishment democrats. They are hypocrites, double faced, try to go with wind rather than principal, cowardly, and always beating around the bush.
Just an hour ago George Bush has been spinning his Iraqi blunder and trying to tie it with the so called war on terrorism. But we do not hear an instant, bold and clear challenge to his lies from any democrat. In fact the absence of a viable opposition in this country has brought us to this situation that even after such blunders, incompetence and corruption, George Bush’s party may again prevail in November elections.
Beyond the nice guy thing, I am sick and tired of hearing how Joe is a good American and a patriot, blah, blah, blah.
Ned is a good American too– nice guy and patriotic.
Save the whining and laudatory kudos for his exit speeches; hell, there’s plenty of time for that after November and Ned’s and the voters’ victory!
It’s over Joe and the rest of you Dems. Get over it and listen to the people. You are toast and the roasting will go on til you take your leave.
I had the same reaction.
Terrists taxidrive while Conrad Burns?
I think Joe is the George Costanza candidate, for those of you who remember Seinfeld…
al-Scooter @ 16
I think you mean DeNiro.
al-Scooter @ 25
Nice.
itwasntme @ 12
Got yer backbone right here for them. Time to send them some spine.
drive by day and kill by night?
I think he’s watched too many horror flicks.
Like the entire reign of bushco.
What a racist.
$20 to the first person who can come up with a credible scenario in which the Republicans would react in this ridiculous way to Lieberman if the situation were reversed.
You know good and well that Little Joey Two-Face would be no more than a messy grease spot and a fast fading memory if he pulled this shit with Republicans.
al-Scooter @
16
itwasntme @ 12
I have to say i have no hope of this.
The ‘do-nothingcrats’ have proven this time after time. This is up to us. They will only concede after tremendous pressure. we must ally with others and be that pressure. i think its our only hope.
So the flatulent cowboy’s water boy is making noises again. Lieberman, you ol’ frump you. Senator Lamont is the new kiddo in town. Joe, take your somewhat undeserved pension and do a fade. You are not needed. You are not liked. You are not trusted. And soon you will be irrelevant. Oh and Harry, bye the bye, the eyes of the Democrats are upon you. Don’t be a fool. The buck stops with you. Your actions will be remembered. Either with admiration or contempt. Mr. Minority Leader.
Joe? Yellow
CabCad.John Casper @ 18
hmm… my impression was that this was released as some sort of threat to the Dems that they better be nice to him or else!
I’d like to see some of the PAC’s donting to Joey highlighted in a Ned commercial:
“Connecticut for Lieberman, brought to you by…
Big Pharma
Big Oil
The Military-Industrial Porkplex
Insurors who won’t pay Katrina claims
Etc.”
Know Joe by the (Big) Company he keeps.
The quoted Post article seems to have a long section that is repeating.
Great stuff!!
I see where Edvard Munch’s “The Scream” was finally found by Norwegian police…
[snark alert]
apparently, they would have realized what it was sooner, but Dan Gerstein tried to claim it was a painting of Joe Lieberman on the campaign trail.[/snark]
I see punaise got there first.
Pacino, de Niro
My mem’ry’s a zero.
Let’s call the whole thing off!
For the love of god, Schumer, get a clue. There is a Democrat on the ballot in CT, and it ain’t Lieberman. Lieberman is on the ballot, but NOT as a Democrat. Remember George Wallace? Was a Democrat, ran for president, lost primaries, ran as an independent? Joe has become a latter day George Wallace. Remember Zell Miller? Joe has become Zell Miller. What part of “running as something other than a Democrat” do you not understand?
If Mrs Schumer were to leave Mr Schumer, be publically photographed kissing another man, say bad s**t about Mr Schumer, and then marry some other man, would Mr Schumer recognize the the marriage was, in fact, over? Or would he still embarrassingly refer to her as Mrs Schumer, and make all his friends uncomfortable with his cluelessness?
I wonder if Joe needs a ride.
Anne @ 39
But the lurid colors in the background of the painting…is it a sunrise, or a sunset? Joe wants to know.
OldCoastie @
36
Yep.
angie @ 30
Hey, everyone knows us immigrants work *real* hard *g*. I guess Sen Burns will have to walk from now on.
PS Love the tiara, Joe.
What they should be doing is cut him off like Michael did to Fredo. And then they need to start listening to blogs for their idea’s and not beltway consultants.
My Bloglord Steve Soto laid it out real nicely, it would be good if some Democrats started paying attention, then they wouldn’t have to worry so much about what to do with liebertraitor, because they’d know what to do with him.
Go fishing.
If the taxis aren’t safe, there’s always a gurney.
Jane Hamsher @ 45
errr… kinda weak, isn’t it?
Joe’s auditioning at the corner of Sunset and Whine.
Seems as if Joe is getting older and crankier and meaner by the day.
Wonder if the next ad will have him walking around with his waistband under his armpits….
al-Scooter @
37
He’s Liebmazing!
;>)
Duckman GR!!!
Steve Soto!!!
TheLeftCoaster.com!!!
from the L.A. Times:
quite the visionary, isn’t he? who knew he could see so far into the future!
A simple strategy at this point is to remember to stay focused on the Conneticut electorate. Remind them of Leiberman’s true stripes by emphazing how he is blatently blackmailing the Dem leadership with his very thinly veiled threats. At the end of the (voting) day, it is the Conneticut electorate who will choose – the National Dem leaders have shown their lack of balls to move forward, but they WILL follow the polls. If the polls trend stronger towards Lamont, they will inevitabley follow. So refocusing on the grassroots level within the state is the key.
Leave with the one who brought you. It has been the local focus that has managed to bring things to the point where all these concerns have even become an issue.
OT and gonna just barf– Carol Lin has a passenger from the plane that was on “fire” on the phone and he is in a TSA briefing and he asks her if she would like to hear what was being said. She says no, talk to me one on one cause we are dealing with this story from other angles rather than listening to the TSA.
He keeps talking to her per her request and then is told to be quiet by the people in the briefing who actually wanted to hear what was being said. She asks him to leave the room and he doesn’t, but his voice drops lower. She gets what she wants and then tells him maybe he wants to listen to the rest of the briefing. She tells us that we may get to find out what was said by the officials, later.
that’s the fluffy stuff these anchorbobbleheads decide is important for us to hear.
aaargh.
OldCoastie @ 49
Oh, I’m way beyond playing nice. Harry Reid needs to go all Lucca Brazzi on Joe’s ass. There’s a nice little speech in “Prizzi’s Honor” where the old don tells Jack Nicholson that if he turns his back on the family, Jack will become very…lonely. Reid should practice that little speech in the mirror until he gets it just right, and then deliver it to Joe while some large scary gentlemen crack their knuckles menacingly.
Good catch Jane.
You make it so easy, and almost pleasant, to keep up with this soap opera. (love the pic!)
Seems JoLie’s runnin’ outta wiggle-room, eh?
OldCoastie @ 54
Must have x-ray vision, then, because he was born with his head up his ass. Babs first words were, “looks just like his dad.”
Is it just me or does the article above repeat itself?
Is it just me or does the article above repeat itself?
al-Scooter @
37
I think I may run with that, if you don’t mind. It’ll make a fun commercial.
I only need to figure out how to squeeze the Benny Hill music in!
Jacqrat @ 60
apply directly to the forehead. available at walgreen’s
Republican Senator Burns’ remarks about Arab and or, Muslim taxi drivers is revealing. What then must he think about Jewish cab drivers. With the Burns remark coming on the tail-end of the recent Allen utterances, a question comes to mind. Is there a pattern developing among the GOP miscreant elites? The Republican party is no friend of the Muslims, certainly. And they are not friends of Jewish people, here, in Israel, or for that matter anywhere.
Hillary’s meeting with Ned, really pissed Joe off.
1,267 DAYZ AND THE KILLIN’ JUST GOEZ ON AND ON AND…
Citizen Hamsher:
How much would it take, does Harry Reid have the power or the stones, for the Democratic leader of the Senate to tell Chuck Schumer to back Lamont…they could cover themselves like they have up to this point by not expellin’ Lieberman but just publicly backin Lamont but puttin’ the money behind the verbiage.
I think it may cost the DSCC a bundle between now and November but the short term cost would be worth the long term value of blowin’ up Schemer’s money tree and breakin’ AIPAC’s stranglehold on Democratic Party finances.
KEEP THE FAITH AND PASS THE AMMUNITION THE REST OF THIS BATTLE IS GUNNA BE BAD!!!
msnbc is doing a story on the “flat daddy program” where they have life sized cardboard cutouts of Mom or Dad for the kids whose parents are in Iraq… it’d be funny if it weren’t so damned tragic…
darkblack @ 52
sweet, darkblack
al-Scooter @ 43
From his campaign hq in CT back to his home, yes. But don’t worry, Joe, it’s just a short ride.
Here’ why Joe’s hanging in there. In the Dem primary Conn used their old lever type voting machines. But in the Nov general election they’re using…..(anybody want to guess???) yep….it’s Diebold
OK MONITOR, WHERE THE HELL IS MY POST…PUT IT OUT THERE AND LET’S SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS!
John Casper @ 10
I think that would be a very productive exercise for us all. After all, this is a democracy, right?
Am reading Conservatives Without Conscience and keep finding passages that could refer to Lieberman…
For instance most Authoritarian Leaders agree with or answer affirmatively with the following statements:
“I will do my best to destroy anyone who deliberately blocks my plans and goals.” (Like Connecticut Democrats)
Or
“Do you enjoy having the power to hurt people when they anger or disappoint you?”
The book goes on to describe this type of individual as “potentially ruthless in their pursuit or maintenance of their desires” and “they do not believe that their “actions should never cause harm to others.”" (If the Dems don’t like my campaigning with CT Republicans, they should have thought of the consequences of my losing the primary.)
And a final quote by Altemeyer (who graced FDL by dropping by last Sunday) “Do you know such people: relatively intimidating, unsympathetic, untrusting and untrustworthy, vengeful, manipulative and amoral?”
No wonder Lieberman walks in lock step with Rove, Cheney and Bush – birds of a feather…
OK …SORRY I SEE IT
rkrider @ 69
isn’t that awfully convenient?!?
Angie 56
How can you listen to Carol Lin?! She’s the worst of the lot. There never seems to be the slightest connection tw’ any cognitive part of her “brain” & anything about the stories she “covers”.
If I ever hear her chirp-n-dimple her way through a tragic story again, our tv’s toast. Her & Jr. & Katrina anniversary on the same day? Nuh UH!!!
Connecticut Bob @ 61
CTBob,
How about “That’s What Friends are For?”
cleter @
57
Actually, I think it is more likely that it was leaked by a real Democratic staffer (and, in my book, a real patriot).
helina handbasket @ 55
Excellent point – not that we should stop holding the Dem leadership accountable, b/c we should – but the voters of CT will be the ones to kick Joe to the curb.
rkrider @ 68
Oh shit. I’ve been watching the Busby-Bilbray thing. I am reminded of Oddyseus vs Proteus — they’ll do *anything* to make sure those votes aren’t recounted. Wonder why?
Boudica @
13
As a New Yorker I approve of this message.
I can’t say I’m surprised about this development. It’s particularly difficult to deny, since I’ve been predicting it for months. It wasn’t difficult, and I’m sure lots of other folks predicted it, too.
The question is, why haven’t the Democratic leadership seen this coming? To me, it sure speaks of incompetence in politics, which last time I checked was their job.
rkrider @ 69
rkrider, is that true? I thought CT had a law on the books preventing electronic voting machines without paper being used? This is the first I’ve heard of that.
al-Scooter @ 43
You said:
While you’re on the subject of the Schumers, please bear in mind that Mrs. Schumer is in fact a NYC Commissioner, under Republican Mayor Bloomberg, who has openly endorsed Lieb’s independent run.
has his head where?
http://photos1.blogger.com/blo…..dupass.png
Connecticut Bob @ 81
it may have a paper trail… we had the original diebold touchscreens here a few years back, but then when the appropriate howl went up to county registrars, the diebold machines now print up a recountable slip of paper (visible and readable to the voter) that falls into a box… doesn’t mean the vote can’t be screwed with, but it is slightly better than nothing..
Connecticut Bob @ 80
CTBob, Diebold still makes optical scan machines (and can produce a printed piece of paper on the touch-screens, for the slight additional cost of about five thousand bucks per). But, all their systems use the same tallying software (GEMS), and the results can be jiggered there even more easily than at the OS level of the touch-screen machines. Not good news, if true.
1,267 DAYZ AND THE KILLIN’ JUST GOEZ ON AND ON AND…
oragngejump suit and Boudica:
You folks are right but Harry Reid ken put the IMMEDIATE pressure on Schumer (and keep it from goin’ public unless Schumer lets it go)…all Schumer hasta do is unload the cash to Lamont, no pyrotechnics, no photo-ops, no anti-Lieberman statements, just GIVE ‘IM THE CASH GODDAMMIT!!
KEEP THE FAITH, ALL THEY GOT IS THE MONEY!!
jayt, will you post the url to the article/pic you are trying to link to please? Using the direct photos1.blogger link only gets us an Error page. Thanks!
Bill Clinton is in large part responsible for this mess. He came in and threw his weight around giving Joe the little bit of momentum he used to justify his assault on the Democratic party. Now Clinton owes it to his party to come into Connecticut and clean up the mess he helped create. It’s not Ned’s fault that Hillary is in the wrong position on Iraq. If that is the reason he won’t intervene, then he needs to persuade his wife to change her position.
Cujo359 @ 79
Cujo, it was pretty obvious to anyone who observes Joe so it must also have been to those who know him.
In the best possible world, the Democratic leadership saw it coming as well. Then they devised a strategy to allow Lieberman all the time possible to gather all rope he needed to hang himself. The DSCC can come in with money for Ned at any time during October — when it really really counts. Ned is doing a great job on his own so far and he has lined up many Democratic heavy hitters to visit Connecticut. By giving Lieberman some rope time, the mainstream Dem leaders can just amass the evidence and say,
“Sorry, Joe, you gave us no other choice….”
And that will just make Joe wail like a baby.
John Casper @
10
Adie– perfect! you nailed her perfectly!!! YAY!
NYSpotlight @ 82
While you’re on the subject of the Schumers, please bear in mind that Mrs. Schumer is in fact a NYC Commissioner, under Republican Mayor Bloomberg, who has openly endorsed Lieb’s independent run.
T’wasn’t me @ 43.
Immanetize has a good point. The democratic leadership, I’m sure, can remember Joe during the Florida recount.
John Casper @
64
As well it should. After all she and Bubba endorsed Joe just two weeks earlier. Turncoats! Oh wait, that is already Joe’s department.
Joking aside, Hillary is no saint. She’s triangulating as always, but with Ned she’s on the right side of the odds. Not that she agrees with Ned’s message entirely, but that it is politic at this time to show that she is a true-blue Democrat. Stupid she ain’t.
1. Whenever you walk towards LiarMan, you walk upon the Trail Of The Traitor. I’m long on record as to my solution. Treason is the most drastic thing a man can do. It calls for the most drastic response. LiarMan, wherever you walk, you walk the Trail Of The Traitor.
2. I’ll give no more chances to Schumer. He’s done in my book. He’s had his chances to stand up like a man and denounce the traitor. He won’t. I yearn for a qualified opponent to run against traitor Schumer. I will support such opponent with all my heart and soul.
3. I also suggest that you re-read the kaliedescope comment, at about 9. He/she sums up the damage of a traitor very, very well. Words of wisdom.
4. Then re-read my #1 above. LiarMan is a traitor. Period.
Ghostman
Hillary is certainly not the big brain I thought she was. I’m beginning to think I’m as smart as she.
CT Bob #61:
By all means, cue the Benny Hill!!
Anne @ 26
Very true. Just hope J-Lie doesn’t discover “opposite day,” the only good day of George Constanza’s life.
“Where is this list?”
I suspect Ned’s campaign has whatever Joe turns into the FEC. Whether they’ve isolated the top 200, or ranked it in any way, I don’t know.
“Is it accessable to us bloggers?”
No, not at this time.
They’re Diebold optical scan machines…..but just try to get an honest recount these days.
That pic reminds me of Joe Bennet Lieberman
Shez @
87
Crap!! Works fine from here, um, let’s see…
http://photos1.blogger.com/blo…..dupass.png
any better? (hope so – it’s funny)
Evil Parallel Universe @ 98
But, wouldn’t that be the day Lieberman was actually a trustworthy Democrat and dropped out of the race?
Oklahoma kiddo @ 96
I’m sure you’re smarter than Hillary but you’re not married to Bill Clinton.
Imm – I believe they are letting Joe hang himself. That way, there is much less chance of martyrdom for him – other than in his own mind – if the chance exists at all.
Evil Dr. Puma – I view opposite day as what is good for George, not what is good for the rest of the world.
Digby nails it:
I recall that, during his last year in the Senate, Zell Miller stopped going to Democratic caucus meetings. Zell said that he and the caucus had reached the point where it was “uncomfortable” for him to be there. (Sadly, unlike Joe Lieberman, Zell was an asset to the Democratic party — for the first 30 years of his career — until he hit menopause in 2001).
Joe appears to be telegraphing to his former Democratic colleagues what it will be like to have him under the same dome but not in the same room. Look how Zell started to service the GOP after he stopped caucusing.
The memo appears to reflect calculated threats from Ned Lamont’s (D-CT) fringe party opponent.
slainte,
cl
I’d like to know how Lieberliar’s old friend Rosa DeLauro feels about this. I got a letter today from her which I find problematic and transcribe as follows:
The problematic part for me is how closely she connects Iran’s possibly civilian nuclear program, to the Lebanon debacle, to goals of “elimination of Israel.” Sorry for the length, but it makes me wonder . .
Evil Parallel Universe @ 104
Even if it wasn’t everyone’s overt plan to let Joe hang himself, it will be the result.
As one of my friends in Texas used to say about hidden racists: “They do reveal themselves.”
ccmask @ 101
hehehe
good ole Garrison comes up with a solution:
http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0831-24.htm
immanentize @ 11:58am (#88)
Here, I’ll say that isn’t necessarily so. Sometimes outside observers see things about people that the ones who know them can’t. I’ve been on both sides of that issue. Many times knowing someone just overwhelms the obvious pattern with lots of seemingly contradictory, but largely irrelevant data.
Well, let’s hope so. We certainly don’t live in the best possible world. If we did, then I wouldn’t have to be interested in this race because there’d already be a progressive President and a progressive majority in Congress that is watched over by conscientious conservatives.
There’s something to keep in mind about timing, though. Once people make up their minds about who they’re going to vote for, they’re less likely to change their minds. The more time Joe spends looking like the misunderstood bi-partisan who still has the support of some in his party, the harder it will be for Lamont to pick up those voters who are in the middle political ground.
If the polls are accurate, Lamont needs to pick up at least another 5 percent of the electorate to win. That’s doable, but given all the publicity the race has gotten, it’s probably harder than it usually is in a Senate race.
It’s for the best if Joe doesn’t shoe up at the caucus meeting. It frees up the caucus meeting to internally debate just what to do about the jerk.
Right now he has a bunch of friends and supporters in the caucus still, but he’s rapidly burning his bridges.
John Casper says:
August 31st, 2006 at 12:04 pm *
I check the FEC pages, and there are no updates to Lieberman’s reports since 8/7 (for donations on 8/5). There isn’t anything at all for or from CfL. Still hoping: they must have money that came in between the 5th and the 9th.
immanentize @ 110
I honestly think this is too subtle. I think they’ve been scrambling for ways to support Joe because they’ve all been in the same club for so long and none of these dinosaurs can spin on a dime.
But Joe is making it awfully difficult for them to continue on this path and so slowly, one by one, they are beginning to understand the situation. I don’t think there’s a concerted effort to help Joe hang himself. Just like I never bought into the line about Clinton coming to campaign with the agreement that Joe would back out if he lost the primary.
I don’t think one hand knows what the other is doing at this point. Just my opinion, of course.
Lieberman is just being hateful. Child who needs a nap or a spanking. He has found his inner Republican “I da baby” and it’s not a very nice child to be around.
OldCoastie @ 66
The wha? Did the “pictures of hands” guy think that one up?
-ck- scroll down that leftcoaster to the “tell me a lie” thread and take a look at the neckwear in the pic.
BTW – If you like the Olberman and haven’t seen the “Rocky” speech by the Salt Lake City mayor – it gets big props too.
Elsewhere – guess along with not hearing from Rove & Co before the elections, we won’t be hearing from Abramoff and Scanlon
before the elections either. Sept and Oct dates get put off until later.
And the President is giving us a chance to see if there are any Dems left that will stand up for anything – the Fed Judicial nominees are back on track and they are horrific Wait’ll We Get Our Haynes On [the Fourth] Please tell me Boyle isn’t the ONLY one of the disasters that “might” get a filibuster?
Last bit – Holds can be a good thing. I think Leahy pretty much singlehandedly kept us from “I put the Chain in Chainey” on the court. Still, I had this really bad feeling on the earmarks bill that there were gonna be two and it was gonna be “bipartisan” duo (see the Muckraker updates). Anyone in WV, Byrd needs to know that it’s time to cave on this – if he’s got a hold on as well, he needs to drop it.
Readers who haven’t should go read Kagro at Next Hurrah on Lieberman’s important role in the continuing “Gang of 14″ given that Bush has nominated 5 odious justices that should be fillibustered.
Ned has the goods to win this thing; he already won the primary. He deserves the support of the Dems RIGHT NOW, and if they’re fudging around with all this nuance (which I don’t believe) then they’re just fools.
Lieberman also noted that Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins, who has endorsed him, had also offered to campaign with him. She is chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. Lieberman is the panel’s ranking Democrat.
http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-…..05709.html
immanentize @ 110
Cut to another area, however this time there is a bush in the middle
Voice Over: This is Mr Nesbitt of Harlow New Town. Mr Nesbit would you stand up please. (after a pause – nothing happens) Mr Nesbitt has learnt the value of not being seen. However he has chosen a very obvious piece of cover.
The bush explodes and you hear a muffled scream.
Beel @ 116
I was just going to post this. VERY IMPORTANT. Do go read it because it is NOT off topic at all.
jcb @
27
For some reason I find this nested comment very funny…like an Abott & Costello Routine. LOL.
CALL TO ACTION!!!!
We MUST get Senators who have offered lukewarm support for Ned Lamont, Jon Tester and others who don’t appear to meet with DSCC approval, out there stumping for them.
Here’s what I wrote both my senators and my US Rep: Change the names accordingly…
Senator Boxer,
I’m pleased you’re supporting Jim Webb in Va., but I must ask with the highest priority, when will you offer similar support to Ned Lamont and Jon Tester?
If you’re going to be a good Democrat, you can’t pick and choose who you support. You must support each and EVERY Democratic nominee, and that includes Lamont and Tester.
I cannot express, without using inappropriate language, how disappointed I am in the lukewarm support you’ve offered Mr. Lamont and Mr. Tester so far. I expect you to get out there and stump like hell for both of them.
Joe Lieberman is now a would-be Republican so you must forget him (his disloyalty SHOULD gall you as much as it does me) and do what’s best for the party. I cannot fathom how you could see Mr. Lieberman as anything but a disaster for the Democratic party at this point.
Please get out there and support Mr. Lamont and Mr. Tester in their campaign. Whatever your feelings are for Mr. Lieberman, you MUST set those aside and support the nominee. You must understand your constituents are watching you and your own political future may hinge on your actions between today and the election in 68 days.
Sincerely,
The Guitar Playing Bastard
RevDeb @ 121
I suspect it’s Fartacus’ attempt to keep the Senate (and the news cycle and OUR energies) busy with bullshit… what is this? about the 3rd time he’s recycled these guys? he knows what the result will be…
This thing’s goin about as expected. Joe needs to veer right to pick up votes. No tellin how it all ends up.
Speaking of notsohidden racists, we had Hostettler blow through Evansville earlier this week, doing a “hearing” on Immigration. It was a typical Republican version of a hearing – Hostett&Co talked, no one was allowed to ask questions or make comments. After being told what to think and believe, people were sent home.
Anyway – the “blogged” comments from the local press coverage showed how much hatred has been brewing towards illegal immigrants here in this area, and the believe that it is fine to spew it bc you can do “anything” to someone who is “illegal” — Gosh, it almost makes you feel like HOstettler handed out OLC memos with combatants whited out and immigrants block printed in. I’m used to how nasty the comments can get here, but even I was surprised at what was left up in print – along with a lot of anti-Catholicism as well, since the Owensboro diocese was backing the Senate bill.
Then I go home and on the news – a biracial couple has their home vandalized with KKK in red paint among other things. And then I get to skim through the crime stats for Indy and across the country.
Viva la “Uniter”
Jenny – They may be getting it right for the wrong reasons. I for one believe that Dem’s can sit on the sidelines and let the repugs destroy themselves. Others here vehemently disagree with that.
I don’t doubt they are all members of the same insidious club – at least most of them, but at the end of the day, assuming that they can’t do the right thing for the right reason, they’ll do it for the selfish reason of simple self preservation.
Of course, they could fuck all that up by doing the wrong thing for the wrong reasons. I just don’t think they would take the risk. Sitting on their asses works, and politicians don’t mind biding their time.
If the taxis aren’t safe, there’s always a gurney.
So, what happens if the woman takes a “short ride” with a terrorist cabbie?
Is this like when Newsweek told us that a single woman over 30 had a greater chance of being chauffered by a terrorist than of marrying Joe Lieberman? I’m so confused…
I wonder how many congresscritters are buying into this Churchillian “Gathering Storm” Threat toward Israel coming from either Iran or Syria, when others like Larry Johnson points out that Iran’s been a threat for 26 years already and many years away from making nukes as weapons.
Personified…
smarm‧y /ˈsmɑrmi/ Pronunciation Key – Show Spelled Pronunciation[smahr-mee] Pronunciation Key – Show IPA Pronunciation
–adjective, smarm‧i‧er, smarm‧i‧est.
excessively or unctuously flattering, ingratiating, servile, etc.: the emcee with the smarmy welcome.
[Origin: 1905–10; smarm, var. of dial. smalm to smear, make slick (
Wrt to these five new
disastersnominations to the Federal Bench. Is there any hope that NARAL and PP have learned theirfuckinglesson?They
fuckingendorsed Joe before the primary. Now, let them call him out to fight Clusterfuck’s nominations.EPU:
OK, I can buy into that theory. :)
OldCoastie @ 123
The Bushies are nothing if not hardheaded and persistent. They have an added incentive to try getting them through now–it may be their last chance. (For that same reason, they snuck in some SS privatization routines into the 2007 general appropriations bill.)
Any Dem who cooperates with them now, in their hour of desperation, ought to be horsewhipped.
I remember that survey!
Mary @ 115
Yes, he certainly does. I had a bad feeling the other day when I saw he was the only Dem unaccounted for.
rwcole @ 125
I don’t know if it’s so much a matter of “veering right” as finding the intersection where moderate Dems and moderate Pubs have some common ground, and there are lots of those areas. To use a word that’s got bad vibes these days, he could use some adroit triangulation of issues dear to Nutmeggers. If that amounts to “veering right,” then we’re talking about the same thing. But Ned’s message has never been hard left to my knowledge. I am sure he is doing just that.
1,257 DAYZ AND THE KILLIN GOEZ ON AND ON AND ON…
Jenny from the Blog:
Your take on this stuff with the Democratic leadership and that lyin’ sack of camel manure from Connecticut is, in my opinion, 100% correct. Let’s take a step back and look at the larger picture: House Minority Leader-anti-choice weak leader, Senate Minority Leader- anti-choice, bluedog, DCCC leader (controlling money for house races) – Rahm Emmanuel, DSCC leader (holdin the money for senate races and cultivatin’ his own money farm) – Chuck Schumer.
Good God folks…we’ve been had. They aren’t plannin’ a grand post-legislative strategy to support Lamont…they’re ready ta leave ‘im out in the street!! Wake up folks!
KEEP THE FAITH, THERE ARE MORE OF US THAN THERE ARE OF THEM!!!
FWIW, here’s the message at the top of my screen when I reentered the site thru the main portal:
Connecticut Bob @ 61
The Benny Hill music is Boots Randolph’s Yakety Sax, in case you need to know where to look, Bob.
BC
Per Beel above
Notes on the Nuclear Option — Part XXI
by Kagro X
Norske -
We’re on the same page, for sure.
Have a good day, folks. :)
RevDeb & Beel – it is important.
Let’s see what kind of things the Fourth Circuit (Boyles and Haynes) has been/will be handling, OK? Padilla (thank you Ashcroft and Comey – who knew the we could get rid of the Bill of Rights so easily); Custer Battles “Coalition Contract” case(s); AIPAC Lobbyist case setting new Espionage Act rules/interpretations that open the Act up to being applied to people like Risen and Priest; one of the ATT cases; etc. etc.
*sigh*
And I’ll go share this link with KagroX bc I didn’t see it in his piece. It is about the way Gonzales & Cheney are shafting JAG, but it has some nice little snippets on the Cheney/Addington/Haynes relationships too.
Gonzales & Cheney to Judge Advocates General – Sit Down and SHut Up
Anyone notice the talk of charges against lawyer who worked with GITMO defendant – bc he may have done the most horrible of horrible things – after years let someone know the names of some of the people we are holding.
He could get years and years – if he’d just killed them instead of leaking their names, it would have been a 60 day ankle bracelt OR possibly a medal. All depends.
great line from the Salt Lake Tribune reporting on a protest against President Bush:
“comparing the invasion of Iraq after Sept. 11, 2001, to invading Mexico after Pearl Harbor”
orangejumpsuit @
122
I dunno…
…third base!
Leggo My Ego
perfect caption for a syrupy waffler who’s out to brunch
punaise @
145
Mwaah (kisses fingers in your general direction) perfection, punaise.
He really is a syrupy waffler! Darkblack?
Mary — is it true that GOP Rep. Hostetler is calling for Governor Mitch to post sharp-shooters on the Ohio River to get wetbacks swimming across?
Now it’s the WaPo’s turn for a Kyra moment:
http://wonkette.com/politics/k…..197976.php
Or maybe they got it right?
Mommybrain, :~)
how dem adopted cats? (I missed that you had just gotten them that day…)
Mary at 12:49 pm
Yes, it all figures into the mix. This is a war on the constitution and if they can’t do it through the congress they will stack the courts.
I don’t know what the odds are that these appointments will come up for a hearing. Specter can save everyone a lot of grief and not schedule hearings, but since he is on a short leash these days, well, I don’t know.
This will be a very short session before the election and the pugs will probably adjourn early to get back home and campaign. Then there will likely be a lame duck session after Nov. 7 so the thugs can cram through whatever they can get away with.
Knowing W. he will not be shy and will put these guys up through recess appoints if he can’t find another way.
So what is the strategy that the dems are going to use?
Haven’t had much time today to get into things, but I am struggling to find reasons why the leaked memo does anything but further alienate Lieberman from the Dems, and give them more reason not to trust him.
Is it a pathetic attempt to elicit cries of “No! Joe – please, pretty pleeease caucus with us – we loooove you, really we do!” much like someone who is rail-thin or drop-dead beautiful will say things like, “I’m so fat” or “I’m so ugly” just to hear people declaim over (usually) her beauty?
All I can say is that if the Lieberman campaign is paying for this kind of stuff, they should ask for their money back.
new thread
cleter @
57
*ilson – probably he meant to – it’s just that someone no one in Evansville and Indy can manage to synchronize clocks ;) The problem in E’ville is that despite what Indianians think ;) – both sides of the Ohio belong to KY here.
The bigger problem – Ellsworth’s position on immigration is basically the same as Hostettler’s. *s*
But Ellsworth actually does get pissed over KKK nonsense, whereas Hostettler is probably trying to figure out why people are so upset over donuts.
OT: Howard Dean’s interview with Keith Olberman is now up at Crooks and Liars:
http://www.crooksandliars.com/…..own-debut/
It’s in both Windows Media and Quicktime formats.
Pun, dem kitties be hidin’, mostly. Legolas (ginger) and Gimli (gray with an drunken hitler moustache) are under the bed again after a visit from our curious rottenlab, a gentle soul who loved a game of flip-you-with-my-nose with our dearly departed pet rat. They don’t know what fun he is, yet. Yesterday Legolas found a hole in a screen and sneaked outside where I was gardening. Just as he got near me rottenlab came running up; Legolas took off up a tree then turned and flew down onto the dog. Not a great start, but I have high hopes everyone will adjust eventually.
Love them already. They lost their human in April and have been mostly alone, with daily visits for food, since then. They’re starved for affection – they must have been well loved before. No pics yet.
RevDeb @ 150 – “I don’t know what the odds are that these appointments will come up for a hearing. “
Haynes has been up for hearings. We got a long list of military and JAG folk who were pretty pissed and wrote and said so (including Wilkerson).
But he also got a hearts and flowers tribute from DOJ, ex-Dep AGs and ex-OLC’s; Thompson, Philbin, Comey, Goldsmith. They said he was wonderful – Thompson may have mentioned wanting to buy him a Coke – got his paperwork done, and heck, probably wouldn’t have tortured people nearly as much as Rumsfeld would have and might have even asked about evidence or stuff, except for being a weak willed shill of CHeney, determined to sell out the highest and best of JAG if that’s what it takes to seize power to the Executive.
They may not have put it exactly like that – but you could tell what a great “Padillaphile” candidate he was.
I hope people trot out the Haynes and Boyle nominations and get Lieberman to take a position and answer tough questions. Even Myers for that matter (although the “Gang of 14″ that has apparently decided they are the Congressional answer to the Unitary President – the DecaQuad Senate – exempted Myers from the no filibuster rule)
Mary @ 156
The Bolton hearing didn’t stop the chimperor from appointing him to the UN.
. . . fingers trembling. . .
Guitar Playing Bastard @
123
Bastard! How are you?
My mother and I have just received a solicitation from Senator Kennedy for the Committee for a Democratic Majority with a list of Democratic candidates that does NOT include the name of Ned Lamont. I have been happy to donate to Kennedy in the past but this time have replied: “Sorry. Our money is going to Ned Lamont! Why isn’t his name on your list? Don’t send any more soliciations until you slam crybaby Lieberman for what he is: A de facto Republican!”
Mommybrain @
156
thanks for the update – seems they’ve landed in a good home.
Mommybrain @
156
Hey, no sympathy for folks who can’t handle multiple threads, and always a sucker for kitties. Our “new guy” came out from under the bathtub, which was where he had been hiding since we got him (his dearest person died in Feb ‘06), about two weeks ago. Due to catnip and canned (cat) tuna. Progress has been rapid, we can no longer use the bathroom without petting the Resident Cat, Peter. He was once kidnapped by a falcon, but that is another story. Cats rule. But they got to have time.
Wrote to both my MD Senators who should be on the correct side of this. Got blown off by Mikulski (never again will I post a yard sign for her); nothing from “I’m retiring so I’ve got nothing to lose” Sarbanes.” What chickenshits.
On another matter: who choses the head of the DSCC and DCCC? Certainly seems like time for some new (and qualified) leadership.
LindyH @
160
I be good, playin geetar and too busy at the day job.
Just curious – do you know me? (or do I know you?)
WITH JOE—-YOU NEVAH KNOW
Hello…Hello…is this GOP ELECTIONS INC.?
HEY JOE!…hows it going? you gonna be in
town?…great…heh…give me a call when
you get back…yeah…I know…well…you
always will find the door open …You bet
JOE…those bums?…they couldnt decide
on which way a one way lane arrow points!
take care JOE…you bet buddy…CLICK…
With L-Man dancing with the GOPsters his
dance card may be something some DEMS at
this point wont punch.AND SOME OTHERS REALLY
SHOULD BE VERY WARY OF DOING AS WELL.
Again…L-Man reveals his character and
sense of misplaced or simply discarded
loyalty to the DEM PARTY.
Hopefully the DC DEM LEADERSHIP will soon
indeed join the “FIND YOU SPINE CLUB” and
start the rehab and find enough confidence
to make the hard yet very correct decisions
on the ONE MAN PARTY FROM CT.
This is a tough fight. SMACK AND ATTACK!!
Congrats, Jane, for lifting the corner of the curtain hiding the elephant in the room.
Since no one else (but NorskeFlamethrower good on him) is saying, I will (and if moderation thinks its out of bounds, that’s ok).
It ain’t just about the money, though the money certainly talks and twists arms. Schumer is AIPAC’s spear carrier in the Senate and beholden to a group whose priorities and loyalties are: first to Israel and Israel’s interests; second to the US; and third to the Democratic Party. JoeyLoserman is their most reliable trusty, which Lamont can never be. Not losing their main man is far more important than winning the Senate or House, which is what Joey’s independent race is all about. Schumer’s not going to move; he’s at the center of the problem. Why Harry’s on board this train, however, is a mystery to me.
I’ve no solution, but that’s what’s going down.
Regards to all.
Just when I think I could not despise him more, Joe never fails me. I hope all Dems who have come out for Lamont do anything but ‘avert their eyes’ when they see Joe. What. An. Asshole. I know all politicians have egos, but this guy takes the cake.
OT- Just read on Kos that Byrd dropped the hold.
Patty K @ 161
Kennedy wrote a scathing editorial about Lieberman in the Sunday Hartford Courant 2 weeks ago. He is fully behind Lamont.
Isn’t it time to call Joe the “fifth-party” candidate from Connecticut? Third-party seems toooooo high.