Why are guys like Bob Perry running ads saying that Ned Lamont is a "tax-hiking liberal" on behalf of Joe Lieberman, who gets an "F" from the National Taxpayers Union, when there's a guy in the race — Alan Schlesinger, a Republican — who truly believes in lower taxes and smaller government?
Because it's all bullshit and in the end, they believe in nothing except being Karl Rove's bitches, that's why.
An obedient media compliantly ignores Schlesinger, who beat Joe Lieberman like a drum today in the YouTube above by CTBlogger. You would think the Lieberman4Lieberman party was really important instead of Line Five, Party of One.
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fitz
Woot !
Jane, Kobe, Ned and dear Fitz too!
Jane, Fitz and NED!
KOBE and the Nobels!!
and Kobe!!!
Joe Lieberman – Your. Time. Is. Up.
There’s another one of these debates coming, right?
Go Schlessinger! (only up to a certain point, of course).
(Alan Schlessinger: Democrats’ secret weapon)
Now if only we can get Bob Shrum to come out of the retirement to manage Joe’s campaign…
neurophius @ 6
I want Schlessinger to totally *own* the Republican vote.
Wasn’t it Joe who insisted on a THREE WAY DEBATE? “Big mistake. Big. Huge!”
LindyH @ 9
But Joe is a three-way kind of guy. Claims to be a Democrat, votes like a Republican, runs as a party of one.
LindyH @ 9
I guess he thought Schlessinger was on board with Lieberman For Lieberman: “Yes, exactly, Joe, that’s an excellent point. What a wise and bipartisan statesman you are.”
Eli @ 5
Two, I think. Lieberman may yet wish he’d never been born. As we all do.
Eli @
5
Wednesday (airs on Thursday supposedly), then another one on Monday.
Joementum pounded by a Republican…. How ungallant. How uncivil. How partisan.
What a LOOOOOOSAAAAAHHH!!!!
JOE LIEBERMAN: YOUR TIME IS UP.
I hate having to rely on Joe losing to Schlessinger for Ned to win. An outright Ned win would be better.
But I’ll take a Ned win anyway it comes. What is the best guess about how Connecticut gets from now to there?
EvilDrPuma @ 12
Mwahahahaha…
And when do we get post-debate poll numbers, I wonder.
OfT: Olbermann ripping Ashcroft on habeus corpus.
Ashcroft said he hasn’t read the Military Commissions Act.
What happened? Hasn’t Schlessinger been returning Karl’s calls?
Um…should the dem power structure pull a Rovian trick and start funding Schlessinger a bit? Let him be the pit bull after Joe’s ass, so Ned doesn’t have to take the low road.
neurophius @ 18
vice-versa
Eli @ 16
As soon as the goons at Rasmussen figure out how to randomly sample Dan Gerstein one thousand times.
Bit NOLA @ 19
Sorta a Dem Repub Green strategy?
OT, playing catch-up, from the Tweety Book Club tonight. When Jimmy [and just how much do you thinks he likes Junior calling him that???] Baker said he agreed to head the Iraq study group only after being asked by the old man, was he saying GHWB had to ask him?
Junior, running the brash bravado upbeat bluff with Rove, has created one more mess for Daddy to clean up. In 2008 he’ll leave a shambles in his wake once again.
Heckuva job, Bushie.
immanentize @ 22
I’ve been thinking that since this afternoon. Should we get some volunteers knocking on CT Republican doors and urging them to vote for Schlessinger, “the *real* Republican”?
Remember, Schlessinger is not new to all of this debate stuff.
Alan Schlessinger has been mayor and a state representative for a number of years.
He is quite accustomed to public speaking and I imagine he has had his fair share of debates.
He knows the game and it shows in his composure and relaxed style.
Just because his experience is at a state/local level does not mean that it is any less helpful as preparation for these debates.
And now Schlessinger has drawn blood in the first debate. Watch for an even better performance in the next two.
My flight attendant younger brother just sent me an email with a pic together with his surprise passenger.
I’m shocked. I’m stunned. It’s Babs.
All of this Republican on Republican infighting: so sad.
Eli @ 24
Only if you knock on Republican doors exclusively.
Eli @ 24
“Sure, he gambles like Homer Simpson, but nobody got killed!”
*xyz @ 28
Well, yeah. That’s the whole idea.
*xyz @ 25
Hugh @ 27
Any time one can use the phrase “Republican on Republican,” sadness is sure to follow.
Eli,
Got it. You spelled it clearly out in your comment, I just read too quickly.
Hmm, why didn’t it print my comment?
Muzzy @ 26
Are some of those grateful people from the Superdome there for her footrests?
neurophius @ 34
I think your comment somehow ended up inside the quote.
Hugh, I just EPU’d my note to you. Reposting here for your enjoyment:
Hmm. Isn’t that rather interesting??
kirk murphy @ 35
Did he ask her about her two big boobs?
You are correct, *xyz. Sorry to mangle your comment like that.
EvilDrPuma @ 32
Or… vomiting.
Muzzy @ 26
Your brother handles the Worst Class passengers?
kirk- I’ll let the moment run its course for a little bit then do some reality testing.
Muzzy @ 42
Everyone should try reality at least once.
OT, but Bill O’Reilly just made KO’s WPITW #1 again tonight. Seems he thinks he’s a doctor now….
Thank you for your indulgence. As you were…
Marion in Savannah @ 44
Bill O’Mitty.
Marion in Savannah @ 44
Olbermann lives to do that.
Rayne #37,
Thanks, I have no explanation for Virginia.
Or put another way:
Schlessinger won this debate on sheer novelty points.
Leiberman lost because he was the brunt of everyone’s jokes.
But did Ned help himself in any real way outside of not losing? I didn’t see anything today that would move the polls in his favor.
Bit NOLA @ 19
I think that’s a no-brainer. Every vote for Schlessinger is one less for Joe. I’m sending in $50. I hope he raises enough money to not roll over if Rove comes calling.
p.s. Anybody else wonder if Joe ran upstairs after the debate to call Rove? Like he did after the election?
immanentize @ 48
Agreed. He’s become very very cautious (can you spell DLC). Thankfully he didnt have to win today, just sit back and watch voters run from Loserman.
Joe Scarborough is calling the GOP the Guilty Old Party tonight!
Urban Pirate @ 50
Is there anyone who has his ear enough to tell him to get rid of Stephanie Cutter and all the other losers the Democratic establishment saddled him with?
Also, today I learned that Mrs. Lamont’s middle name is “Huntress”. Awesome.
EvilDrPuma @ 46
Yeah. {snicker} And he does it SO WELL!!!
xyz @ 25 -
I’m glad you brought that up. This is, what, Ned’s second political debate? And he did much better this time than last, he’s a quick study.
Alan has been around for a long time, schmoozing and politicking. This is all new and different for citizen Lamont.
Does anyone know what the format of the next debate is? I think Ned will feel much more comfortable with a more structured question and answer format (although they need a time limit or Lieberliar will take all the time). One thing is sure, next time Lieberman won’t be so off guard with Schlesinger.
In a way I’d rather have it be Lamont against Lieberman – because Lieberman has a lot to answer for and I think Lamont is ready for him.
This is such a bizarre campaign – who the hell knows how to play it? I hope Lamont lets Tom Swan do his thing. He needs a street fighter for the next three weeks.
Eli at 52 — I agree and maybe Bob Adams/CtBob could make such a suggestion — even via blog?
Urban Pirate, Maybe Ned didn’t have to win today, but it was one lost chance and only two left. Also, your DLC comment is just too ironic in a very true way not to make me chuckle….
LOL
Weldon: They’re All Out to Get Me
By Justin Rood – October 16, 2006, 7:13 PM
The FBI investigation into Rep. Curt Weldon (R-PA) is growing — but so is the left-wing conspiracy against him, according to the blustery, theory-prone lawmaker.
In a two-and-a-half minute interview with the Daily Pennsylvanian’s blog, The Spin, Weldon fleshed out earlier charges that the Democrats are behind the federal probe into his dealings. Agents raided six locations today in connection to the investigation, including his daughter’s home.
http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/001813.php
Muzzy @
26
Let’s hope they stocked the air sickness bags.
Cozumel @ 57
Yeah, ‘cuz the Democrats are in total control of the FBI…
Because, you know, the Democrats have so much POWER and all….
Someone with the courage of her convictions. The passion of Rachel Corrie, and her death. I will never forget Rachel Corrie.
“A monologue fashioned from the words of a woman killed in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict creates drama on-stage and off”
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15…../newsweek/
immanentize @ 48
And if you can’t see any movement in the polls, how does that translate into a win in three weeks?
It just seems to me that pinning electoral victory on hoping the Republican challenger can bleed off enough support from Joe to push Ned into the win column is kind of disappointing. Yeah, I know a win is a win is a win, and we’ll take it however we can get it, but you can be sure that much is likely to be made of liberals rooting for a Republican to help a Democrat win.
hey firedogs,
one of my favorite hops in 8 years was the Friendship Force – led by it’s field general Lillian Carter – 6 1/2 hours of delight and upon arrival in Munich, she commandeered the hotel kitchen and fixed us all dinner !
Oklahoma kiddo @ 61
bless you, OK
Rachel Corrie -
murdered by Israel’s bulldozers
(subsidized by our tax dollars. We helped buy the Cat used to murder Rachel Corrie.)
I wonder if being a dreadful person makes Lieberman feel unhappy.
Anne @ 62
It just seems to me that pinning electoral victory on hoping the Republican challenger can bleed off enough support from Joe to push Ned into the win column is kind of disappointing. Yeah, I know a win is a win is a win, and we’ll take it however we can get it, but you can be sure that much is likely to be made of liberals rooting for a Republican to help a Democrat win.
I’m totally rooting for Schlessinger to help justice/karma out. Joe lies every which way and gets away with it. He’s a Dem, A Pug, An Ind, a CFL. Etc etc. I love seeing him get called on it.
Google bomb
Senator Joe Lieberman
Rayne @
37
MN – $2.09! ???
I know Ned is the right guy to fight for and I have supported him how I can with cash, but I am afraid of the larger negatives of a Ned loss. One, Joe goddam Lieberman is Senator from Connecticut again, but with a much larger ego. Two, the leftosphere gets pegged as losers once again. Three, the DLC which is on the ropes right now gets another shot of life and Marshall Whitman becomes insufferable once more. Four, Lieberman holds the entire Democratic caucus hostage then votes for Orrin Hatch for Supreme Court justice anyway.
Our help and cheering cannot drag Ned across the line. His campaign has been poor (Stoller and Bower agree on this) since the primary ended and there is little time left!
My grovelling apologies for a dumb question, but I’ve been jammed at work and haven’t been reading here as much as I’d like. When did everyone decide to misspell Schlesinger’s name? And why? Just askin’.
Watching the Talent McCaskill debate on cspan. Claire’s camera has been out of focus for a long while.
Urban Pirate @ 65
I’m totally rooting for Schlessinger to help justice/karma out. Joe lies every which way and gets away with it. He’s a Dem, A Pug, An Ind, a CFL. Etc etc. I love seeing him get called on it.
But is Schlessinger’s reaming of Joe really enough to help move Ned up 15 percentage points by November 7?
Ned can’t just sit back and hope Joe implodes. His advisors need abetter strategy for him than that.
Anne @ 62
Exactly. Lamont needs to add unaffiliateds to his tally, and he seems to have stalled out in that department. I also have no faith that Republicans can’t do the math that Schlesinger can’t win, and they are better off with Joe than Ned.
The Carter family practices what they preach. The Bush family does not. Therein lies the difference.
OK, I am a bit low on Ned after watching today’s event. But it is still possible that
1) Schlessinger will pick up a few points
2) Lieberman’s low boy on the totem poll ballot position will confuse his vaguest supporters and
3) Lamont’s superior ground game backed by labor
will end in November 7 VICTORY!!!!
But that is equivalent to pulling a double inside straight flush at this point.
:~(
Barbara B – It’s with one “s”? Did not know that.
Anne does have a point, though, Urban Pirate at 65. It is kindof pathetic that we have to root for a GOP candidate to do the job of undermining Joe when Ned’s focus on Joe’s record ought to be enough to do that on its own.
A Lamont victory would be so meaningful to all the old sticks of both parties in the Senate who no longer have ears for their constituency, and his loss would confirm them in their arrogance.
OT but I compiled links to some of the travel (at lobbyist expense) records of some of the characters in the Mark Foley saga at http://brownandserve.blogspot……ts-to.html
Drive by.
Jane, you have been doing yeoman duty on the CT campaign. I’m so proud of you.
Urban Pirate @
66
Absolutely. Nobody else is calling him on it. We aren’t “rooting” for Schlessinger per se (good lord) but he’s up there saying what media folks generally have neither the nerve nor the desire to say. If you’re waiting for the NYT to call Joe on his shit, or the GOPers whose territory he is trying to poach to do so, you have a bit of a wait. Nice to see someone with the megaphone (for the moment) calling him on his bs.
Imm – I don’t think his name order on the ballot means anything. My congressman is often in the middle of three names, or right at the bottom of three. I can’t think of one race since 1998 where he’s lost with less than 79% of the vote. (He is in one of the safest districts.)
shoephone @ 76
Yup. I checked it over at the official Lamont blog. http://www.nedlamont.com/blog There’s a new Spazeboy video up too.
Oilfieldguy @ 79
OFG, you’re a GOTV hero and our hope in the Red States. I feel the same about you.
OT but a priceless comment from Froomkin today.
“The White House issued a solemn statement Thursday commemorating the sixth anniversary of the al Qaeda attack on the USS Cole.
The White House has been citing the Cole a lot lately, as part of its narrative that President Clinton, who was in charge back then, was asleep at the switch when it came to terrorism.
I went back to see what the White House statement was like on the fifth anniversary of the attack on the Cole. But there wasn’t one!
And there wasn’t one on the fourth, the third, the second or the first, either.”
cbl @ 63
one of my favorite hops in 8 years was the Friendship Force – led by it’s field general Lillian Carter – 6 1/2 hours of delight and upon arrival in Munich, she commandeered the hotel kitchen and fixed us all dinner !
wow – I would so like to hear (read?) about that at length. Sounds wonderful.
I haven’t been following this campaign as closely as some (too busy working on the one in my own back yard), but how hard is Ned taking it to Lieberman that Lieberman is planning the caucus switcheroo to “R” if elected? I think Ned should make that his main thrust and really put JoMo on the defensive about it and really sell that possibility to every non-R.
Barbara B – I don’t mind spelling corrections at all.
It really rankles me when someone spells my name “shoefone”.
immanentize @ 75
Ned rode a wave of momentum to victory in the primary, but it just feels flat to me from that point forward. It just seems like a campaign that has the excellent ground game that we keep hearing about should not be down 8-15 points. A good ground game means that more people should know who Ned is, that more people should feel positive about him, etc., and that’s not what the numbers suggest.
Am not saying Ned can’t win, either, but is the problem with Connecticut that the people can’t see what a great guy Ned is, or is the problem with the campaign, that they have not been able to break through the base support for Joe in a more significant way? I have to say that I always felt that if Ned had come busting out after the primary, and those first numbers had been more impressive, it might have forced Joe out. If, as has been speculated, the party power structure asked Ned to lay low for a few days to give them time to persuade Joe to drop out, that may prove to be one of the costliest mistakes of the campaign.
Condi tells us today:
“Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice declared that U.N. sanctions prove the world is united in opposing Pyongyang’s nuclear ambitions.”
I find Rice a particularly distasteful member of the Bush administration.
op99 @ 73
Fifteen? I think thats an outlier. Consensus seems to be 8, and that’s with Schleshinger at 4-5%. By my math, if Schleshinger hits 15-20%, which should be a walk in the park if he gets just a little name recognition, this thing is eminantly winnable.
That doesnt mean Ned is a shoe-in or that he couldn’t/shouldn’t stop being so cautious, but I think it was winnable before and is even more winnable today.
BTW, I grew up in CT, and ALL my family is in CT, and not one person I know likes Bush. Not one. Joe represents “stay the course”, and that will drag him down like an anchor. The only thing Joe professes to “own” right now is the double yellow line. And all his “bipartisionship” has gotten us is 6 years of hell. Most people know that.
IMO, this isnt about Ned proving he is as much as it is about Joe NOT being who he says he is.
Jane says:
Absolutely. Nobody else is calling him on it.
I totally agree with this — Schlesinger (one “s” sorry BB) is able to bust through the Lieberman BS in a new way — maybe novelty.
But why isn’t Ned doing this effectively? Is he trying too hard to look “Senatorial” in the general, or is it just outside Ned’s character and/or abilities to take Joe down? Even Deval Patrick in Mass — one of the nicest and mildest guys on the planet — has mustered and expressed some real outrage at his vicious and vacuous opponent.
Old Sow @ 77
Agreed. But Ned is only one man up against all of that. I’ll gratefully accept any help, no matter where it comes from. (except lobbyists. cant stand lobbyists. :) )
Shit, sorry for the triple quote there.
Urban Pirate @ 90
Somehow I don’t think that’s going to be an issue…
1,305 DAYZ AND THE KILLIN’ GOEZ ON AND ON AND…
op99:
Ned doezn’t need to swing the unaffiliated jest yet (they usually go late anywayz)…he absolutely needs 85% of registered DEMOCRATS. If he get 85% of the Dems, ol’ Joe AND his new nemesis, Al Schlesinger, are history no matter where the unaffiliated go…and the fact that the House races are goin’ all Democratic will push gooo-gobs of Dems in Ned’s direction.
KEEP THE FAITH AND THEY’LL KILL EACH OTHER OFF BEFORE NOVEMBER!!!
Urban Pirate @ 88
That’s encouraging. Do you think the polls are made up, however? I don’t see where self delusion gets us. I think there are arrows left in Ned’s quiver that he needs to loose NOW. Seems like his campaign is running the clock out, when he needs to return to being the bold upstart challenger.
My sense is that Senator Lamont will make a fine statesman. And this is not the last election he will win.
Urban at 91, that’s sortof what I think about Andrew Sullivan saying that his point of view has changed and addressing his comments to people on the conservative side of things in the hopes that they’ll reconsider their opinions too.
Here is the dynamic as I see it.
Joe is on line 5 or 6 depending on municipality. All alone, next to no one, and not the first name.
Alan’s internal polling is showing 20% of likely voters plan to vote straight party R — and that feels right to everyone here — he is NOT in single digits. No way.
Similarly, look at the national polls — “Who would do a better job managing Congress” today pver 50% for Dems. Thus, the boost from the Dem party line for Ned.
Joe has nobody canvassing — no ground game at all except for the paid volunteers, which will pour in in the next couple of weeks, but their heart isn’t in it. As Christy said this AM when phonebanking there in WV, people are ready to listen and are ready for change.
Who gets polled? People who always answer their phones. Older, more conservative. I think the CT polls will be essentially worthless.
Wait till the Lamont campaign gets hold of Joe’s full disclosure statement — I believe things will fly then.
Two more debates. More conventional film Wed, broadcast locally TH pm — but with all 5 candidates, so everyone will get diluted.
Last one, a week from tonight with Stephanopulous — candidates sitting on stools for a “more casual” approach, and don’t know about the format yet.
The more people who credibly beat up Joe, the better.
I think that sums up the comments for now.
Oklahoma kiddo @ 96
From your sensors to the voting fingers of the Nutmeggers in November!
I don’t read him, but has Andrew Sullivan endorsed a candidate for CT senate?
op99 @ 101
Troublemaker.
kirby @ 98
You make an interesting point about polling and people who answer their phones. Makes me wonder about any polls.
Jane,
I agree Joe Loserman has a huge problem with Schlesinger. And as I wrote before, republicans should vote for Schlesinger. Not simply because we want Lamont to win (we know we do), but also because Schlesinger is a better candidate than Loserman. At least he is more rational on Iraq. Anyway, I feel much better after this debate that Ned Lamont will be the next senator.
I’ll probably sound like a broken record but I wish Lamont would say (perhaps in his closing statement) “Joe Lieberman has proudly worked with Republicans to get us where we are today”. To me, that says enough.
lina @ 103
Was there ever an official finalist last Friday to help Joe with his ballot problem?
Re: polls – I think the methodology is such that they are going to talk to X number of Republicans, Y number of Democrats and Z number of independent/unaffiliated – it isn’t just going to be about who is or isn’t home when the phone rings. What should we infer about Democrats who are home to answer their phones?
Thank you Kirby at 97. That’s how I like my encouragement – with some sound analysis based on facts on the ground, not just wishful thinking.
You said:
Wha? You mean like campaign contributors matched up with votes or something? That’d be sweet.
Kirby:
That is really hopeful news — has he released this publically? If he did, I bet he could add another five because it would then look respectable to back him (no one likes to vote for a loser and the regular polls as reported in supressing the Schlesinger % might work to increase the swing to Lieberman?)
kirby – You’re on the ground there. (And BTW, you are the one who gave me NBC.30 to write to back in August about the Joe campaign putting the flyers on cars at churches that Sunday. I ended up making email contacts with someone from the NBC.30 website for about 1 – 1/2 hours that day and got her looking into it.)
WHen you say you think the CT polls will be essentially worthless – what polls can we count on to be more accurate? D.C. polls? Because people are quoting varying numbers.
Oklahoma kiddo @
89
agree…
wonder if that’s because she was the first to be exposed as shill and liar during the run up to the war and then in front of the 9/11 commission… and then…
Blue Wind @ 102
Repubs are nothing if not self-interested. They know voting for Schlesinger is not in their self interest, voting for Lieberman is.
When did the DLC slip its people (Stephanie Cutter) into Neds campaign and why did Ned accept bad help with no financial support?
OP99,
I actually do not trust the polls. I dont think there is any way in heck that the Republican candidate gets 4% of the vote in ANY election. Any.
I also believe that the GOTV should lean Ned’s way and that if Joe is counting on Pugs being motivated to go vote when the Governor is up 30, hes swimming upstream.
So I think this is not a “long shot” at all.
Now, I do think that if this becomes a referendum on Ned, he’s losing the general debate. The election is a referendum on Joe, Bush, and Iraq. Three things that are indelibly connected in CT voters minds, and although there may be a little love left for Joe, there’s none for Bush or Iraq.
I don’t want to be uncritical, but I do want to redirect the conversation back where Joe doesnt want it.
Joe. Iraq. Bush. Do we give these bozos 2,4,6 years more to make a mess. Who’s Ned? A reliable no vote on anything Bush proposes, next question. :)
My step-dad (die hard military independent) and father (middle class white collar republican lite) are voting AGAINST Bush.
I have more insight into this race regarding the jewish vote based on my personal relationships and campaign calling, but this comment is getting long and will probably be epu’d or moderated. :)
Kirby – great analysis – you should post it over at your website!
G’night all — gotta sleep! See you at sunrise….
My sense is that Al is so ticked off at his party for abandoning him and backing Joe that, even though he knows he can’t win, he is going to do everything he can to make sure Joe doesn’t win either.
And his calling Joe on his crap is just reinforcing what Ned has been saying all along.
It really helps Ned because it backs him up and shows he has been truthful, unlike Lierman.
At least that’s what I’m hoping.
Brownandserve – I don’t think you sound like a broken record. Repeating short and sweet (or short and nasty) talking points is what the GOPers do so well. It’s part of why they win. It’s “framing”, and I agree with you – Ned needs to keep hitting that frame hard, tying Joe to Repubs every day.
And I still think that name position on the ballot is meaningless.
shoephone @ 118
Thanks Shoephone. To me I think “Joe Lieberman has proudly worked with Republicans to get us where we are today” should be the last sentence in Ned’s closing statement in the next debate. Maybe I watch too many lawyer shows LOL.
Eureka Springs, AR @ 113
I dislike the DLC. Intensely.
Democrats
Losing
Consistantly
Oklahoma kiddo @
74
Kiddo..The Bush Clan practices EXACTLY what they preach. They just don’t preach publically unless you read PNAC manifestos…
Urban Pirate @ 112
From your lips to Ned’s ear. Do it, Ned! And do it with panache.
Oklahoma kiddo @ 118
Ditto. They’re Republican moles and/or saboteurs, the lot of them.
I have to say I don’t understand why Lamont is doing so poorly. Joe shots himself in the foot every other day yet Ned does not rise in the Polls.
Connecticut is 80% Blue State, the inverse Utah, Yet Ned doesn’t rise in the polls. What the story? Is it the media? Ned’s ‘quiet time’? What?
Wait for it…Was it the the fdl blackface thingy?
What I meant about the polling is that everybody my age 35-50s checks caller ID before we would even lift the receiver. I got a Joe poll last week by accident. Now I am answering every GD marketing call to see if I can get polled again. The Joe poll wanted to know what I thought was positive about Ned (so they can slam him, I’m sure).
So, think of the younger people who don’t have a land-line and the rest of us who are too busy to answer every time the phone rings without some type of screening, and that gives you a very skewed pool for the polling. I think the trending that Tim links to on the Lamont offical blog is probably the most instructive, but the population that answers the phone every time is more likely to be the Lieberman supporters who like Bush.
I thought the tone of local TV coverage changed dramatically today — three person race, and nobody making excuses for Joe the way they have been in recent weeks. AM papers, of course, will say a lot, and three debates in one week can kill or elevate one candidate.
Kirby – It’s so good to read your input. I hope you put a sign in your yard. By now your brother will get over it. :~)
Underdog Scraps With Rivals, Hoping to Bolster Long-Shot Senate Bid
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10……html?_r=1
By ANNE E. KORNBLUT
Published: October 17, 2006
STAMFORD, Conn., Oct. 16 — The spotlight on the United States Senate race here has never fallen on Alan Schlesinger.
At the debate on Monday, he stole it.
Mr. Schlesinger, unbeknownst to many, is the Republican nominee for the Senate seat being fiercely fought over by the incumbent, Joseph I. Lieberman, and the man who upset him in the Democratic primary, Ned Lamont.
Mr. Schlesinger has virtually no money, barely any campaign apparatus, and, in an unusual feat of unpopularity for a major-party nominee in this state, has barely broken out of the single digits in the polls. But, unbowed by reports of his long-shot candidacy and oblivious to ridicule from Republicans at the national level, Mr. Schlesinger came ablaze during the first debate with feisty attacks on his opponents.
“Joe, you had more moral outrage about Mr. Clinton’s indiscretions than about North Korea’s nuclear proliferation,” he said at one point to Mr. Lieberman.
On the calculations that go into the federal budget, he said to Mr. Lieberman, “You’d never get away with this at Enron, even.”
I am still concerned that Rove will offer Schlesinger some plum for his dropping out of the race. Schlesinger knows that he won’t win this race, so he might as well take what is offered to him. This all would backfire if Ned would pick up some fire and close the gap between him and Joe on his own strength.
HopeSpringsATurtle @ 125
OH PLEASE! "IT" if there is an "IT" is the mainstream media corporate whore houses – print & broadcast. Lazy, corrupt and indifferent. Ned Lamont will win the election just as he won the primary. We need to all relax and enjoy the drama and help Ned get out the vote. Simple as that.
I want Ned to win. I love his energy, his ads, I buy the whole enchilada. I realize my comment was provocative, but the “it” i really speak of is what appears to be a stranglehold that the party machinery, the media talking points and the sheer ignoring of Ned and a number of other candidates by so many ALREADY in power. I just read (where?) a linky talking about Boxer’s bullshit and her support for LIeberman then subsequent absence from Ned’s WINNING campaign. I do not understand WHY Ned is losing. Something is very gummed up in the works and I don’t think that is being addressed.
Jane, I have to disagree.
Schlesinger simply asserted a non-sequitur. “This (North Korea working on a bomb) has been going on for 18 years. The same period of time you’ve been in the Senate, Mr. Lieberman.”
Now, I’m sorry but that’s simply stupid, and if you see it othewise you’re simply being blinded by your passionate opposition to Lieberman – who, I agree, should be gone. However, if he doesn’t go now, we can work against him after we take back Congress.
That said, I hope that Schlesinger scored some votes against Lieberman, and that he turns the election to Lamont. Good luck!
HopeSpringsATurtle @ 131
A lot of people here want to stick their fingers in their ears and sing “lalalalala,” but that doesn’t erase the dynamic you mention. That’s why I think Ned’s gotta grab the bull by the horns. He can’t be waiting for Bubba or Hil or Babs or anybody to come storming over the horizon. He’s gotta do it in spite of them. I have to think, to account for the results we’re seeing, that not only are the DLCers staying conspicuously away, they must also be actively sabotaging Ned. What are they hiding that they need JoMo to help cover up?
Brava! What Op said. Op is the smart one.
HopeSAT, if a tree falls on a dead thread, does it make a sound?
Depends on who’s in the forest.
Hey! is this trick question?
HopeSpringsATurtle @ 131
HSAT dear, Ned Lamont will win the election. Boxer will offer her sentatorial hand and welcome him into the club soon thereafter. Joe will become a lobbyist and Nancy Pelosi the new speaker of the house.
Things are looking up! ;~)
I got a call from the DSCC tonitght and I told the fundraiser that I would not give money to them because they were ignoring Lamont. I said that it should be obvious at this point that Lieberman will knife the Dems in the back whether he wins or loses this race. I said that I contribute to Sebate candidates through their websites because I feel more confident of MY political judgemnet than that of the national Dems at this point. The fundraiser sais she understood: I think she’s been hearing lots of replies like mine. GO NED, GO SHERROD, GO CLAIRE, HAROLD, JIM,and BOB!
Schlesinger was good news for Lamont and bad news for Lieberman. The race will come down to a race between a democrat and a republican. Lieberman will automatically become an “also ran”.
Vote Lamont.