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From Atrios:
According to reader b, Limbaugh just said that Lieberman is "seething inside" and has "payback in mind" for the Democrats if he wins.
I'll let others speculate as to how "Pills" Limbaugh has all this special insight into his good friend Joe Lieberman, or who told him to start running his mouth on Lieberman's behalf. All I want to know is this — Democratic leaders like Harry Reid and Chuck Schumer may make pale endorsements of Lamont as the Democratic candidate, but they don't have the stones to say that Joe Lieberman is not running as a Democrat and that his actions are bad for the party and he hurts Democratic chances to take both the House and the Senate in the fall. The CW on this one seems to be they don't want to piss off Joe and drive him into the arms of the Republicans, so they take him at his word that he will caucus with them if they just STFU.
Let's say Limbaugh is right, and once again, Joe punks them like he did Reid and Hillary Clinton when he got their letters of support by promising he wouldn't leave the party and make an indy run (and we all know how well that worked out). Seriously, this strategy to let Joe make the entire party leadership look like a bunch of eunuchs in exchange for some worthless guarantee has no internal logic to it.
If these people haven't really gotten behind Lamont (and they most certainly haven't) and what many of us (and Rush) feel would be Lieberman's petulant retaliation comes to pass — he splits and turns control of the Senate over to the GOP anyway — do they really think people are going to shrug their shoulders and just forget that they stood by and let this happen? That they showed such apallingly bad judgment in the situation? Because I really can't see that happening. I just can't imagine that the price exacted for letting Joe trash the party and the country like that would be anything less than horrific.
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Rootz!
Two zeros in two days for the land down under!Now to read the post.
Where is the spine in the Dem leadership? It really is pathetic. Maybe some of the new ActBlue folks will shake things up before they become like the old guard.
maybe Rush is getting his boner pills under Joe’s name.
Jane, I’m gonna paint Joe’s face on a football so you and Christy can spike the motherf*cker when Ned wins. On camera. Youtube anyone?
For the life of me, I cannot understand why the Dem “leadership” didn’t slap down Lieberman – HARD – as soon as he announced his Me4Me Senate run against the Democratic nominee. If a guy who has to take ED meds just to stand up straight can see it, why can’t they? If Lieberman sent Harry Reid a T-shirt that reads “I wanna be Joe Lieberman’s prison bitch”, he’d probably wear it.
Joe-Bama!
Joe must know what’s buried in some Dem’s closets.
Blackmail and politics go hand in glove… having something which could really hurt someone is worth oodles.
1.306 DAYZ AND THE KILLIN’ GOEZ ON AND ON AND…
Citizen Harden Smith:
The election is just the first round, the second round of the fight is to reconfigure the leadership of the party. While we are occupied tryin’ ta take back territory that should already belong to us, the corporatists and the corporate media are advancin’ Obama for the presidential nomination. and Mrs. Clinton for senate leader.
This is a battle to the death for democracy and it’s gunna take place INSIDE the Democratic P{arty.
KEEP THE FAITH AND PASS THE AMMUNITION!!
Finally figured out why Disney did “the Path to 9/11″-They’ve got 2 friggin weeks of witch shows prior to Halloween and they didn’t want to get pounded by the fundies. Nothin like a little kiddie occult vibe to get ‘em riled up.
I’m still in shock after watching the vblog. I want to slap that smirk off her effin face.
Love the way she uses her kids – or her “loins” – as she so lovingly introduces them
Anyway – does anyone have any doubt that it was Schumer who gave Lieberman some sort of “guarantee” – and was Schumer’s staffers who were the ones quoted in that scummy NY Times article a week or so ago.
When Ned wins it will have been without the help of the DLC, Hillary, Schumer or others – and he won’t owe them a thing.
They just don’t get it – but I think they’ll feel it soon enough.
A little late to the party but this lurker just donated $20 via ActBlue to Lois Murphy, Democratic candidate for PA-6. She just missed in ‘04. May the second time be the charm. Heres to taking the country back.
And giving up the right to filibuster the Military Commissions legislation makes them look like they are vertebrates with gonads?
Give me a fucking break.
They ARE eunuchs.
i agree that the democratic party is taking a huge risk in letting lieberman go free here and not check him..At best, they should ask lieberman to pledge that he would caucus with the dem regardless of seniority or not.
If lieberman comes back and blackmail the party, schumer and reid should get the blame for that because they should know the the GOP are running his campaign and the possibility of joe coming back o byte them in their butts is huge.
“At best, they should ask lieberman to pledge that he would caucus with the dem regardless of seniority or not.”
“Democrats must gain 15 House seats and six Senate seats to win control of Congress. Lieberman has said he would remain a member of the Democratic caucus if he wins on Nov. 7.”
I think what Joe means is that he will caucus with the Dems if they have 51 U.S. Senators without him.
Damn right, gutless. No wonder the Repubs use fear.
windje @
13
Hey Democratic Party Leaders! Have I got a show for you!
Harry and Chuck show… In COLOR!
This got EPUed on the last thread, but I figured I’d give it a go here.
Christy Hardin Smith @ 49
OMG, Christy, you nailed it! I knew there was a cartoon character that Joe reminded me of. It’s Droopy Dog!
Why this picture looks just like Joe rooting for his party of one. :)
You guys on the east coast are really keeping this interesting for the rest of us. Conneticut is the first example of a total upheaval and rejection of politics as usual.
This sword cuts both ways and the Dems are feeling it as well. Please don’t give up. Never surrender. What is happening in Conneticut needs to happen across all of the states.
Can the Democratic party step up and be the party that cleans house and changes direction or will it play ball as usual with K street.
My suspicion is that all the recent talk about Obama in 08 and his time on Oprah is a subtle marketing scheme to “stay the course” in politics.
Conneticut, You guys are on the edge of new frontier.
GO NED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sorry for all the “You Guys” in the above post but I grew up on the south side of Chicago (Go Sox)and somethings just never go away.
Just saw a new Ned ad on NY-5 (Mets game)
Has quotes of Joe circa 1988, whining, 18 year pledge, etc.
Go Ned.
While we are on baseball I sure wish people wouldn’t post scores on this blog. I crash early and tape games so I can watch em when I get up at 5am. I was reading the TRex bout this morning and someone let the cat out of the bag!
flatford39 @ 20
Jane,
If the Democratic leadership actually wanted Lamont to win, they’d be out bitchslapping Joe instead of the other way around. In fact, why wouldn’t they come out publicly and comment on Lieberman’s extreme support of the Bush Administration on virtually every key vote over the last six years, including Medicare Rx and any and all things Iraq? Why? Because they are a bunch of elitist pussies (that’s the men) and #$%^^& (you fill in the blank for the women) that don’t give a damn about this country or its citizens. The entire group is pathetic and needs to be replaced within the next six years by new, vital, and passionate progressives.
If the Dems do somehow takeover one or both houses of Congress, it will have nothing to do with the leaders within the Democratic Party and everything to do with the Republican Party meltdown. Where will that leave us? It will leave us with the same pathetic leadership who will feel their political strategy won the day…the same strategy and related consultants who have advocated Dems not speak out against the war for fear of appearing weak. Weak! That’s exactly what they are….
Amazing, I’m fairly new here but I never see anyone refute these comments about the Democrats being punks. At least the big dog is trying to show how to fight back.
SteveW @ 23
Great show on CNN before. One hour of Jack Cafferty telling it like it is.
Universal gut reaction to Dems?
Smart, wonky, pussies. Sorry, Ladies.
When it comes to fight, our Jane and Christy could bitch slap 90% of them – at the same time.
Worst part is, they got suckered yet again by Rove, who faked them out w/ his “tough in terror” bluff.
If they had been united and STRONG, against Bush and the Iraq debacle, denouncing Joe for his suck-up-ness, and demanding he abide by the rules, they would be on the right side of all thos eissues right now.
Instead, they’re sorta weakly meandering over to that position, further cementing their well-deserved reputation.
Jane and gang,
I respectfully disagree. Whether Lamont wins or loses won’t depend upon Dems in DC.
In my view, Lamont has run a funny campaign since the primary. He stopped running on his signature issue: Iraq. Instead, all that palaver about misc and how many votes that Lieberman missed. Is that REALLY why Lamont challenged him?
All this palaver about the Dem leadership is skapegoating. Lamont should take responsibility for himself.
Just win, Baby.
Just like they got suckered by McCain, Graham, Warner on the Torture Bill.
Just like they got suckered on the “nuclear” option (which we later found out Frist never even had the votes for)
Had they been strong and progressive, America right now would be flocking to the message. Instead, they’re a “lesser evil”.
Oh, well. It’s so easy to be perfect here on the couch. ;)
Didn’t he start getting “handled” by the same old Dem operatives after the primary?
jwp @ 27
Seems to me what revived Joe Lieberman’s flagging campaign in the primary was his appearence with Bill Clinton. A lot of people made excuses for Clinton and then excitedly report Hillary was helping Lamont with fund raising in the general election. Looks to me like the Big Dog and the Mrs. are carefully weighing things in this race right up to the last minute.
I’m very displeased about Dems like Reid and Hillary who have not done what’s necessary to help Lamont win. I sure as hell am not going to forget it. Regardless of what happens in the up coming elections.
jwp @ 27
Ned got DLC’d.
As Yogi Berra once said, “It ain’t the heat, it’s the humility.” Of course he also said,” I
didn’t really say everything I said.” But as to your point on the absence of internal logic in Reid’s game plan, Yogi said, “You should always go to other people’s funerals, or they won’t come to yours.”
Man, I forgot about that!
CMike @ 30
Jane: I just can’t imagine that the price exacted for letting Joe trash the party and the country like that would be anything less than horrific.
Like maybe a three-way kiss float, with Harry, Chuck and Joe.
The DLC is a reprehensible bunch of high-brow political goons.
I’m not too worried about Ned. He’s going to be running saturation advertising the last three weeks of the campaign and Joe can’t do that. Joe is spent; punched out.
It’s the rope-a-dope.
Is there nothing we can do as a huge netroots network to put some kind of pressure on Bill and Hill to show up for Ned??? Something BIG and coordinated that will make a statement.
Or would that be a bad idea politically? Don’t know.
Watch the world series dp.
Any baseball fans, they are at a commercial break right now, but you definitely want to watch the replay.
I want Ned to win. I just think he has to make his case. No pussyfooting. Run hard on Iraq, and emphasize his importance in a 50-50 Senate.
I am not sure what happened. But the general election hasn’t looked like the primary.
omg. go mets
Woot! Webgem. Anybody wayching the game?
Ha, Hill cares about one thing and you know what that is.
ReneND @ 38
Urban Pirate @ 32
No – Ned is running in CT – not to a national audience. He has to address the experience issue – he is trying to appeal to Unaffiliated and the more moderate Republicans. He can’t just run on Iraq.
Why don’t you go look at his web site and see what issues he has been addressing for the past three months. He has been true to his principles and hasn’t changed his message. But he has expanded it to address issues relevant to CT.
He has not been DCLd – however his campaign has been impacted negatively by party influence. He didn’t ask to be the focus of national attention. He’s running as a candidate for the Senate against an 18 year incumbent. He’s not running for President.
SharonW @
18
Wait for it… In the last thread Darkblack implied that we may be able to see Droopy Nomentum later on… Me, I’m on tenterhooks!
Okay, Jane, I’m officially pissed off now. You know, for all this time I was giving our leadership the benefit of the doubt knowing that Joe was holding stuff over their heads, but this is the last straw.
This should be all out, full-tilt boogey WAR AGAINST JOE!
Frankly, I think it’s time we rally the troops and start banging on Reid’s email box and making his phones ring off the hook.
It’s clear that except for the mavericks like Kerry (boy, never thought I’d make that association) or those outside of Congress they’re not coming out to support Lamont.
I think it’s time to rattle some chains. At this point, I don’t think they have anything left to lose if Joe’s got payback in mind.
What do you all think? Are there others beside Reid we should target? And what would be our leverage? Or am I nonsensical right now?
GREAT CATCH!!!
I love Willie Randolph, but wow did his left fielder just save his bacon.
flatford39 @
20
Well, as a former New Yawka I’m thinking “youse guys” would be more familiar!
Do you think most of the electorate in the state are looking at his website?
dab from CT @ 44
Andy Chavez
John Casper @ 48
Here’s the rogues gallery for 2008: those senators who are up for re-election. Sadly, Chucky isn’t one of them, but that gives us 3 years to groom and get behind someone to wipe him out if need be.
Lots of R’s that will be ripe for the picking, though.
ReneND @ 38
I’ve heard word, not saying where from, that having Bill show up now for Ned would turn into a disadvantage of sorts as Bill came out for Joe before. Joe would turn it into a sort of flip-flop thing and all.
Don’t know about Hillary, but she is providing backend support.
And NO, Ned is NOT being handled by the DLCers. Tom is IN command.
Gore would be a killer to campaign with. That’s who I’d like to see, plus he’s outside of DC politics these days, more or less. Of course, just saying that might preclude him from to wanting to engage. I’m not sure how he’d feel about sticking it to Joe publicly either. We’ll see.
OT
http://www.rawstory.com/news/2….._1019.html
Holy crap. Is there a Republican left who is ethical?
Twisted Martini @ 5
Wonderful idea for any state or district. I can only hope for the chance to spike Jim “Do I act enough like a party hack” Leach.
Wetterling is beating Bachmann 48 to 40%
http://www.eleventh-avenue-south.com/
Lamont will win in spite of people like Reid and Hillary. And that will make Senator Lamont’s victory just that much sweeter.
dab from CT @ 44
Dab, by DLC’d I mean than he’s been toned down, packaged, triangulated, and made cautious. I know Ned’s addressing the issues, and support him 100%, I just want him to be him.
He’s best when he looks straight ahead, and says what he feels. :)
(and when he keeps his hands in his pockets) :)
raven –
That wasn’t my point. I was referencing his web site to you because you clearly are not from CT and are making all sorts of assumptions that perhaps are not true.
My point was, if you look at his web site you would see all that he’d been doing in CT for the past three months. Going to county fairs, picking up endorsements, making speeches, marching in parades, having rallies, etc.
And – how many times he has been speaking out about Iraq, the Military Commissions Act, etc.
I love how people think that because he isn’t topic number 1 on Hardball – or Time Magazine isn’t following him around – he’s no longer saying or doing anything.
It is my opinion, for what it is worth (.02 cents), that Ned got talked into going with the issues part that Bill and Hill have been talking – bolding stating that people are not going to be voting simply against the war — WRONG.
That and the scandals. Sure I want them to negotiate price for meds; sure I want the dems to fund the VA more; but those things can only come when we are not spending $6 mil a minute (or something equally ridiculous) and losing 10 men a say. Nothing can happen in this country until this big festering sore of an administration is done and over and buried.
Reasons for Ned’s actions after the primary will be explained – just I heard, and tried to believe, every explanation offered to explain what Kerry was doing while they swiftboated him. Ned is a fighter – hope he remembers how he started this race.
IMO only of course. But it does sound like he is ready to ignite his reasons for running again.
Marion in Savannah @ 45
Whoa! Cool! I’d love to see that.
Dab
OK, I’ll yield to your judgment. I’m tyring to read everything I can, watch the debates and stay informed because I want him to win badly. I admit that I am myopic about the war. . something about these people dying just really bothers me.
dab from CT @ 58
RevDeb @ 52
DiFi’s another one although I’m not sure if she’s an R or a D
I know she’s officially a D … but, I really don’t know … just sayin’
Urban Pirate @ 32
I don’t know where this is coming from.
1. Ned has never stopped making his points about Iraq being a mistake that took our eye off the ball (al-Q) and Afghanistan, that make us less able to deal with other, more real threats. In fact, he has sharpened the message, saying that Bush policies have made us less secure, and made Israel less secure, while making us unable to play an honest broker role. I think that’s exactly what he should be saying, both wrt to the Dem dislike of Bush, and wrt to Lieberman’s claim that only he clearly sees the threat to US interests. Ned continues to undermine this conceit.
2. Ned never got “DLC’d” He got help, advice, and funding from others, but never let it control his campaign. The good guys are still running this.
3. The party can help Ned by making it harder for Joe to claim he’s a loyal Democrat. Before the debates began, polls suggested that 35 percent of Dems still supported Joe after the primary, so anything that brings these folks home to Ned, the real Democrat in this race, and the legitimate Democratic party nominee, would be helpful. Ned is doing what he needs to do to bring these folks home. The party needs to do more to make sure Connecticut voters realize that Joe has acted in a completely dishonest and disloyal manner, against his party in Connecticut (undercutting the House candidates) against his party’s national chances for victory in November, and undermining public support for the party in general by suggesting they don’t deserve to win the elections (this from a man who lost his own primary as an incumbent!).
The point Jane is making is about getting this betrayal conveyed to the voters of Connecticut, (and getting the Party leadership to help make this point) because (1) if Joe betrayed the Dems, there is no reason for Connecticut Dems to still support him and (2) if Joe betrayed his own party, but lies about it, then there is no reason for Republicans to trust him either (so vote for Schlesinger if you can’t vote for Ned).
So attacking Joe’s credibility, on any issue, is part of this overall strategy. His voting record, and prior statement, are all legitimate targets for questioning an incumbent’s credibility. There are lots of other statements from the Ned campaign that also point out Joe misstatements and lies.
The handwringing is not helpful, and IMO not based on what’s happening on the ground.
I’m getting frustrated so I think I’ll say goodnight.
Ned is running for office and has to make his case to Dems, Unaffiliated (the biggest voting block) and Moderate/Liberal Republicans (a smaller percentage). This is not a primary where he can appeal only to Dems who hate Lieberman and Bush and are who are angry about the war in Iraq.
He’s running against someone who has represented the state for 18 years. About 30% of the Dems are Reagan Dems who live by the gospel of Fox News. Many people in CT are under the delusion that Joe is a nice guy who has done a lot for CT. People are just now beginning to understand that that might not be the case.
Ned is just Ned. No superhero. Not a slick polician. Just a guy who couldn’t take Lieberman representing CT any more.
scarecrow @ 63
Agreed. And what with Schlesinger finally in the race, the whole scenario has changed…for the better. Not to mention Lamont’s ad blitz.
Still, I’m disgusted by the Dem leadership. At this point, they really ought to realize that it’s to their benefit to assure a Lamont win. Lieberman seems to be telegraphing that all bets are off. I guess I just want to see them stick the knife in his back FIRST.
Didn’t mean to bum you out, you’re helping me understand. That’s what this is about isn’t it?
dab from CT @ 64
I don’t want to criticize anyone, but I’ll just note the occupation of Iraq isn’t getting any better.
Bush, Lieberman, Disaster in Iraq. Minimal assembly required.
ifthethunderdontgetya @ 67
I hate to use the word because of its usual, more extreme meaning, but after this election there will have to be a purge of DINO’s in the caucus through the primary system to the point where the progressive wing is at least valued by both the Party and the MSM and our feelings are respected. Now I don’t mind some centrist Dems, after all I am anti gun-control and at least emotionally supportive (if not completely intellectually) of the Death Penalty (some people like Bundy just need to die, but I can’t completely support the penalty because of the rampant abuses which need to be addressed.) I don’t want the Democratic party to be held hostage by its left wing just like the Regressives are controlled by their Reich Wing (hat tip to Mr. TRex), but of course the Left Wing of our party is a skosh more reasonable than their (Regressive) wing is, so I’m not to worried about that.
I agree, it is very distressing that Reid is letting himself get played like this. BTW, I know the polls favor the turncoat by a few points right now (and another poll is coming out that won’t factor in the debates just held), but I was curious does anyone know what the enthusiam level for Joe is (I know some polls figure that in, others don’t). I just can’t believe that there are that many in Ct. that are waiting to vote for Joe, that need to vote for Joe, whose highest priority is to vote him in for another six years. Except for those whose pockets are being filled, who’s really for him? I know Republicans are sheep, but even they have to wonder why the fuck they should vote for him, or they ought to. But then, we get back to that old philosophical saying “Ought implies can” and maybe they can’t.
DUMP JOE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Raoul
the lightning will
EvilDrPuma @ 68
The Lamont-Lieberman contest has been illuminating in a variety of ways:
1) It shows just how terribly bad the campaign infrastructure of the Democratic Party is, and how bad is has been for some time. How can a political neophyte, an unknown, with a good chunk of change, no name recognition, and a ragtag bunch of self-appointed volunteers and cheerleaders with some papier-mache and laptops beat an 18-year, well-funded, seniority-holding senator with a VP and a Presidential bid under his belt? In a primary? When he gets endorsements from other senior Democrats to boot? Simple: the Democratic Party campaign infrastructure, philosophy, and execution SUCKS SHIT, and it has done since at least 1980.
No wonder the GOP keeps handing Democratic candidates their asses on a platter, no matter that they are more intelligent, more personable, better looking, better credentialed, more aware, more experienced and so on a so forth.
2) This campaign also shows the integral weakness of the Democratic leadership, and the lack of commanding vision and organizing principle within the Democratic Party “core” – we expect people who can’t commit to a popularly elected, personable, charismatic primary winner (by a large margin); who, IF they commit to that candidate, do so in ways that always hedge their bets and cover their asses; who, cannot get up the gumption to make a stand WITHIN THEIR OWN PARTY and ON THEIR OWN TURF in one of the Bluest of Blue states, in terms what they will and will not accept from a (former) member of the party leadership, senior member of prominent committees…
We expect these same people to stand firm against concerted, coordinated, disciplined and organized ideological, organizational and political opposition (actually assault) from the GOP?
Whenever I take a few minutes to catch up on the Lieberman/Lamont contest, I shake my head at almost every “revelation” and say…”NO FUCKING WONDER the Democratic Party, the Democratic Caucus, and the Democratic Program is in such bad shape, and has been for so long.”
Jesus H. Fucking Christ on a White Bicycle – these people are such Lame Ass Losers. My god, it’s a miracle that we’re even CLOSE to taking control of one or both houses of Congress.
The Middle East’s boiling-point potential for plunging the world into conflagration IS the number one issue. If things get much worse in the region and we start blowing each other up, it won’t matter who wins what election.
That’s not to say that I’m not hugely disgusted by the Dem Leadership. Ned will win inspite of Reid et al, and inspite of Schumer doing everything he can to help Lieberman (I’m trying to talk my sister & her husband who live in NY from ever voting for him again – I know my mother won’t.)
Senator Kennedy, John Edwards, Joe Wilson, Wesley Clark, John Dean, Chris Dodd and next week, John Kerry – will have campaigned with Ned. We’ll remember all those who didn’t.
I would love it if Gore would come to campaign with Lamont. I think it would have a much bigger impact than either Clinton.
Good night to all.
you da man
RedDan @ 71
john in sacramento @ 62
Well, at least DiFi didn’t fly into CT and smooch Loserman against all reason and counsel like her little lost junior colleague Babs.
raven, I’ve read in several places that Lamont hired an advisor who suggested he go more moderate after the primary. In that sense I think he’s been DLC’d, and I hope some of you on FDL know him a little and can point out to him what a mistake that was and get him de-DLC’d. I’m sanguine about him. I just saw where he picked up 2 more points and is now only 6 behind Lieberasshole. I think Schlessinger will play spoiler and throw it to Lamont.
keep the faith
dab from CT @ 73
john in Sacramento
DiFi is in this year’s election cycle. The list above is for the next round in 2 years. There was someone running against DiFi in the primary, but there was no where near enough support to be a big threat to her.
raven @ 70
Heh. Indeed. Disturbing, if true.
That’s sort of what I’ve been driving at but I’m glad to see folks closer to Ned bring some passion.
naschkatze @ 76
Ah, nice, where’s “The Wheel?
ifthethunderdontgetya @ 79
Raven – it’s not you.
But this meme got some significant traction with Arianna and I’m really tired of people stating what’s wrong with Ned, without having any idea what’s actually going on in the state or the campaign. All things considered – I’m amazed that he’s done as well as he has.
We can’t lose sight of the bottom line. The Dems in CT kicked Joe out and he refused to go. How often has that happened? And now he’s getting millions of dollars from Republicans and lobbyists (you should see his FEC filing that was released today). And we now have swiftboaters running commercials against him (again, friends of Joe).
This is not your normal campaign.
Please dear Goddess send forth good candidates to replace this list of twits!
I swear I would vote and canvass for Larry the Cable Guy over Pryor. [fully aware I may have to]
I gotta admit her “letter” was what got me going.
dab from CT @ 82
One final post – Russ Feingold sent a staffer to help Ned. That’s who has been working with Tom Swan, Ned’s campaign manager.
Night all
Raven @ 81, here’s Cumberland County Civic Centre, Portland, 3/31/85.
That’s all that’s up on youtube, as far as I can tell. Not primo sound and video, I’m afraid.
dab from CT @ 64
Speaking as someone far from CT, it’s been so nice to have your perspective on this race. To the Corporate Media, Lamont has become last year’s model since the primary. Thanks to CT Bob, Spazeman, you and others, we can get a feel for what’s been going since the primary, and personally, I’ve really liked it. The last several weeks, I was sensing a rather strong effort to have Lamont “press the flesh” with as many people as possible, and this is so important for any politician, let alone a newcomer like Lamont.
Of course, for those that don’t take the time to investigate and just get your news from the networks, you can keep going on and on about how Lamont has screwed the pooch since the primary. Meanwhile, Lamont, Swan, and the volunteers have an election to win, and us out-of-staters have credit cards to run up. It’s showtime baby!
dab from CT @ 73
I would love that too and most of all I would love DiFi dropping in to help Ned as well. What say you fellow Californians – shall we petition both our senators to go help Ned on the ground?
calling out for cbl and imm, or peterr, has it been 3 to 3 1/2 weeks? ’cause it’s one of those nights. What does God want from us. You know, that kind of soul related question. What actions taken now, versus what could be taken if I were stronger. Well I can’t be stronger, so I throw myself on the mercy of the Lord. Hope it’s enough.
Thanks, have you seen the Grateful Dead Movie on DVD? So fine!
ifthethunderdontgetya @ 86
Dab from CT – Do you have a link to the FEC list or is anyone posting info on it?
Eureka Springs, AR @ 91
opensecrets.org
RevDeb @ 78
D’uoh! Thought you meant this year.
__________________
newspaperbrat,
I just hope Boxer’s indescretion, was just that, an indescretion (sp?)
raven @
90
I was AT that show! I was 14 and I went with my Dad.
Running his beak without checking with us first?
Why, you’d think Limbaugh had a death wish, or something.
And as promised…Droopy Joe.
;>)
((((egregious)))) – Thank you dear, I am no saint but hang in there hon you are an inspiration. You are doing everything possible and more.
darkblack @ 95
Ohh… THANK YOU! Droopy Nomentum looks just like what we see in the debates and on the news now. You’ve captured him perfectly!
I think some of the frustration is misplaced.
There are many complaints about party leadership. As if there was a real political party.
We don’t have one.
We need one. We need to form one. But we don’t have one.
Basically, every senator and every congressman is a free agent.
There is no central policy or message making organization.
It’s a problem.
RevDeb @
52
And a few D’s who need to go. Landrieu (LA), Johnson (SD), Lautenberg (NJ), Pryor (AR),Rockefeller (WV.
RedDan @ 94
Awesome, I saw my first show in the New Haven Coliseum back in 1979 or such.
Sorry but the worst offender BY FAR is Don Imus. This morning his show was from the Mohegan Sun casino in CT, surrounded by an aging audience who seemed almost literally catatonic, they sat so silent and still. Don railed against Lamont, deriding the television spot about “The Kiss,” asking rhetorically “what was Lieberman supposed to do, punch the guy?” and called Joe “a great senator” without bothering to enumerate how he came to that assessment. The blue hairs in attendance risked their osteopathic health to clap lethargically in support of Don’s bogus high dudgeon.
But think of it. Imus, in Connecticut, interviewing Russert, acting as cheerleader to Holy Joe. How is this not an in-kind contribution?
egregious @ 89
Egregious my friend, I am here. We, each of us, are really quite strong. Your particular curse is to both be stronger than almost everyone but in that moment see all the troubled weakness of being human. In my life, I have not met 10 people capable of what you are capable of. Look around! Bloviating ain’t doing.
And you, girl, are a doer.
Joe’s FEC report is online today.
You can find it here http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/fecimg/?C00235515
(There is a pdf on the Lamont web site http://nedlamont.com/blog/1857/ahhh-no-wonder
It is 1,800 pages of slime.
Here’s a link to an itemized list of Joe’s millions from Political Action Committees (link)
http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-b….._S8CT00022
The campaign would love any analysis – there’s a lot of info to go through
Some previews:
COMPASS
Sam Beard
Relationship: Chairman of the advisory board
Most Recent Year Confirmed in this Role: 2002 Group’s Stated Purpose: Supports privatization of Social Security.
Sam Beard was on the President’s Commission to Privatize Strengthen Social Security and on the board of astroturf groups For Our Grandchildren and Generations Together. CoMPASS produced a video-news release that advocated privatization
BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB COMPANY EMPLOYEE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 06/29/2006 2500.00
NUCLEAR ENERGY INSTITUTE FEDERAL POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 04/06/2006 1000.00
OCCIDENTAL PETROLEUM CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 09/02/2005 1000.00
PHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH & MANUFACTURERS OF AMERICA BETTER GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE 09/22/2006 1000.00
PURDUE PHARMA INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (PURDUE PAC) 07/31/2006 5000.00
Bechtel PAC – Who is Bechtel?
“Bechtel has prime construction contracts in Iraq worth more than $2 billion. Fines Exceeding $86 Million – Bechtel hired three subcontractors in Iraq that have been fined more than $86 million in the past four years, though none had been banned from getting new contracts.”
. . .
Back in 2003, Congress allocated $50 million for the construction of a 94-bed state-of-the-art children’s cancer treatment hospital in southern Iraq. Despite repeated calls from humanitarian organizations and experts at the United States Agency for International Development to instead work with the Iraqis to rebuild their primary health system, the Bush Administration promoted this high-profile, glitzy project championed by the White House.
Nearly three years later, due to gross mismanagement, the hospital is only 35 percent complete, out of money and teetering on the verge of collapse. The cost overruns are so significant that the project will cost between $120 and $160 million to complete and is not expected to be finished until December 2007, over a year later than planned. Meanwhile, Iraqis continue to suffer from low quality and poor access to basic health services….Bechtel, the lead government contractor for the Basra Hospital project and the same contractor for the flawed Boston Big Dig tunnel project, has once again been dismissed from a large-scale project due to incompetence. Sadly, this is not the first nor is it likely to be the last instance of waste, fraud and abuse in the reconstruction of Iraq under the negligent leadership of the Bush Administration.” – Press Releases, 3/2/06 & 7/31/06, Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT)
HCA PAC – Who is HCA?
” WASHINGTON, D.C. – HCA-The Healthcare Company (formerly known as Columbia-HCA), the largest for-profit hospital chain in the United States, has agreed to plead guilty to criminal conduct and pay more than $840 million in criminal fines, civil penalties and damages for alleged unlawful billing practices, Attorney General Janet Reno announced today. Today’s agreement is the largest government fraud settlement ever reached by the Justice Department.” – US Department of Justice, 12/14/00
UnitedHealth PAC – Who is UnitedHealth?
“WASHINGTON—The leaders of the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday asked UnitedHealth Group Inc., the health insurer enmeshed in a scandal over the timing of stock option awards, for information regarding benefits that departing Chairman and CEO William McGuire will receive….Sens. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, the finance panel’s chairman, and Max Baucus of Montana, its senior Democrat, are questioning the severance package for McGuire, who left the UnitedHealth board this week and will leave the company by Dec. 1….McGuire’s pension benefits include a $6.5 million lump sum, according to a watchdog group. He had exercisable stock options that were worth $1.6 billion as of the end of last year. Their current value is not known, but Standard & Poor’s estimated that a repricing because of the company’s investigation cut their value by $158.6 million….”The news reports make it sound like the CEO had the board of directors over a barrel and helped himself to whatever he could get,” Grassley said. “Congress has a duty to the taxpayers to find out what happened at UnitedHealth and figure out what to do to stop this flood of backdating scandals.” Hartford Courant 10/19/06
Eureka Springs, AR @ 91
Try here as well…
http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-b….._S8CT00022
Just shocking. Absolutely shocking how much of a tool this little man is.
Raoul Duke @ 69
Honestly, here in CT the only enthusiasm I’ve seen generated for Joe comes from the old people and the mouth-breathers.
I drive 12 miles to work every day from Hamden into New Haven. The yards are plastered with Lamont signs. I’ve seen only three Lieberman signs and I’ve seen one Lieberman sign switch to a Schlesinger sign (before the debates).
So in my area of CT, I’d have to say Lamont is clearly the enthusiasm generator.
Now when I went up to Storrs to drop my son off at college I saw both a few Lamont signs and a few Lieberman signs. That area of CT is very rural. I do think there is a bit of an education gap in Lamont/Lieberman supporters. I suspect these aren’t people who look hard at the issues, but go with who they know.
The black communities are another thing. I think they are what helped Lamont win the primary and I think their strength is gaining. Bose Kimber, Al Sharpton, Maxine Waters and Jackson played a big role in this area which is probably why Joe is so pissed at them that he keeps making those hideous remarks about them. Joe has really taken all of this personally and is showing his true colors.
On another minority note, I saw a Lamont commercial on the Spanish channel tonight as I was surfing (en Espanol). I was very impressed. I think he ought to be well-represented there due to his working as a teacher in the Bridgeport schools. He doesn’t just talk the talk, he walks the walk and teaches those looking for a real education in a difficult urban school setting.
Last, but not least are the educated Republicans who knew that Schlesinger didn’t have a chance until now and probably won’t throw their votes his way regardless so Lieberman is the lesser of two evils, but hardly anything you’d call enthusiasm.
There are, however, amongst this group, Republicans who have HAD IT with the war, the neocons and Bush and are actually going for Lamont.
Schlesinger’s new-found notoriety will most definitely reclaim a good portion of the common man type of Republican. As he said tonight on TV (he gets free face time now) and paraphrasing, “I’m not taking anything away from Joe. I’m just getting back the votes HE stole from me.”
My view from the ground, FWIW.
darkblack @ 95
Eek! The
JawsJowls of Death!jwp @ 98
Right! I’m not sure when it really started, but the “PC movement” sure didn’t help. It splintered the Dems into “boutique interest groups,” some of which started to claw at each other. It’s time we woke up, smelled the carrion all around us, and got our shit TOGETHER.
dab from CT @ 82
YEAH, BABY! I’m with you Dab, 100%.
Psst, little birdie told me Dodd’s on board. I mean ON BOARD.
Working for political change, supporting good candidates, encouraging people who need encouragement, irony duly noted.
To whom much is given, much is expected. That’s kinda the issue here. I’ve been handed boatloads of assets and good things. Have tried to use them to raise 3 children who honor God and revere life and in general to relieve suffering wherever possible. Trying to make it be enough without sinking into the ooze/booze myself. The new concept is to reach out to other people in order to receive healing reaffirmations, so that I can get up again tomorrow and wield that sword against Evil. Some days the sword is too heavy. YES I am seeing a doctor and YES I am on meds and please God there will be new and better meds in my lifetime. Most likely I will be ok. Ask me again in dark December.
immanentize @ 101
Thank you tears of joy
ifthethunderdontgetya @
67
Time for Gates of Delirium
egregious @ 109
be well, egregious – hope your bright fires are carefully nurtured so you and your gifts can shine for a long, long time.
you are amazing, and you and your work are a blessing
darkblack @ 95
WOOHOO! Super duper Droopy!
Egregious can you pause right now? Step away from the computer and watch a little Cary Grant (Bringing up Baby?) and just sleep (as Jane would say) dreaming of rain?
FWIW — I do not know of a reason, with regard to what national dems have or haven’t done for Ned Lamont, not to take Tim Tagaris at his word. I have every reason to believe it will all come out in the wash.
Lord – this is an addiction and I really need to sign off because I’m sick and need to get better so I can canvass on Saturday.
But wanted to say – I so admire you egregious. My oldest daughter was diagnosed with bipolar and I have seen her pain. Fortunately, she is taking Lamictal and it’s made a big difference.
I respect you for all you have done and are doing – particularly because sometimes it’s a struggle
RedDan @
94
I was at the two Frost Amphitheater (Stanford) shows a month later. Killer shows. ‘85 was probably my favorite year for the Dead.
Balrog @
117
I also saw the dead in Augusta, ME either the year before, or two years before that…and in 1988 at the Raceway in Western ME…both of those times with my Dad as well…
Being raised by Hippies had its advantages.
egregious @ 8:05 pm (#109)
Chin up and take care of yourself. We need more of you than we have now.
So was I (Frost) Balrog. I can’t begin to narrow down a best show or even a best year. How do you do it?
egregious – you got me all hillbilly misty eyed in the good way.) Hope my sword doesn’t rust.
{{{{{{{egregious}}}}}}}}}
God bless and keep you. Surround yourself with thoughts of all the good things you have done and all the blessings you’ve increased. Some people are the forest and the trees. You’re one of those.
immanentize @ 114
ok but i just learned that it is raining and despite sitting on the screen porch i didnt know it was raining i couldnt hear it because i am going deaf which as a musician is true hell–arms too short to box with God
Any Lamont Staffers out there?
You’re probably tired of people telling you how to your jobs, but the FEC report is a GOLDMINE!
Very simple messaging here that cuts across age, gender, class, and Party lines.
Liebermean is the ultimate bought and paid for politician and here’s the proof. A series of ads stating the FACT that J. Low takes THOUSANDS from Mel Sembler the child abuser. From Bechtel-one of the worst war profiteers in history and the exact kind that Eisenhowser warned against in his farewell speech to the country…
http://coursesa.matrix.msu.edu…..ndust.html
And from other assorted nasty people…
You could put this “Lamont is buying the election” noise to rest right quick by simply stating that Ned was sick and tired of this shit, so he and his wife are willing to back up their talk, and god damn do something about it. He cares so much about the people of CT, that they’ll spend millions to chase the war profiteers out. And then once he’s a Senator (man, that sounds good), he’ll do everything he can to make public financing of campaign a reality, so you don’t have to be a multi-millionaire, or a corporate whore to get elected. Turn this issue of Ned using his own money into a positive for the campaign. Oh! and how many thousands of blue-collar people have contributed to Lamont? Man, I really hope y’all are putting this front and center here on out.
This is a great story that appeals to much of the population, even conservatives.
egregious @
89
{{{{{{{{Dear Egregious}}}}}}}},
Thanks for trusting that we’ll give you a hand when you need one. We will, its what community means.
And a wise lady once told me, “The Lord never gives us more than we can handle.” The abyss is real, but it is not all there is.
And for three, here’s a a bit of sunshine you can keep for when you need it.
Jane Hamsher @ 115
Jane, it strikes me that the perception that may be emerging is that it is Lamont, not Lieberman, who is both “independent” in the sense of not being beholden to anyone, and still true to Democratic principles. That’s a good place to be in a year like this. Joe, on the other hand, is just the opposite; he’s abandoning his party and its principles, but is very much tied to those monied interests who are keeping his campaign alive.
And is there another way to think about the leadership’s dilemma, perhaps? It seems possible that Joe has deliberately tried to provoke the national (nominal) Dem leaders into a public fight, on the theory that it would not hurt his campaign to be seen fighting as an independent against the national party. After all, these leaders are not particularly popular — along with the rest of Congress. Would we want them to criticize Joe publically? If I were Harry Reid, I wouldn’t give Joe the satisfaction of letting him run against out-of-state unpopular leaders; I’d call a couple of the most popular Dems, like the Senator from Illinois, and ask him to do an appearance or two with Ned. And maybe make a few calls to contributors to help out Ned. Just a thought.
{{{{{egregious}}}}}
bonkers — all good suggestions.
egregious @
89
Happy UnBirthday, eggy…You’re one in a million and the million have your back.
:)
bonkers @ 123
Oh, I’m quite certain they’ll be ALL OVER this. ;) The subject of lobbyist money has already been broached publicly so there’s nothing like some concrete facts to back it up.
About to step away myself. I got a letter from Sen. Pryor today (my first). I have snail mailed over a dozen letters and at least two dozen emails to him over the Summer. That alone is enough reason to send this young first term Lieberlovin’ pro torture Senator packing. I haven’t opened it because, well, a hike up round mountain was much much better.
Nice to see folks here who also have him on the those who must be progressively challenged list.
{{{{egregious}}}}
A while ago you said:
You are who you need to be – an extraordinary person doing extraordinary work, but at an extraordinary price. Lean on your friends when you need to.
egregious — peacful fave song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f837T8×0rUo
scarecrow @
125
You’re right, that would probably be the best way for Reid to help. To the best of my knowledge he has not done so.
((((((egy)))))))
FWIW, my favorite SCTV skit, ever:
Dr. Tongue’s 3D House of Pancakes
(((((((((pach))))) one for you as well.
Oh, my. Facing Fed Probe, House GOP Spending Chief Axes Investigative Staff
Mary @ 121
And that’s two of those.
{{{{{{FireDogLake Community}}}}}}
SharonW:
I certainly hope they’ll be all over it, and that they keep the message really clear. The ads I’ve seen so far online have had concise, easy to understand stories, so I have faith they’ll be able to do that with this storyline. I really think this issue could seal the election for Lamont. Seems all Liebermean has anymore is, “Ned spends his own money!” Take that away from and actually make that a positive, then J. Low’s got nuthin’ anymore. What a sad, sad man.
LindyH @
136
Good idea, Jerry…Axing the gravediggers who know where all the bodies are right before the State come to inspect the mortuary. You don’t suppose they might be… cooperative with the Feds in a rather pointed way- since they don’t have jobs to lose anymore and all?
I don’t think that chartered Bush jet to Paraguay warming up on the tarmac is big enough to hold all you malfeasants.
Cue Nelson Muntz here
;>)
Eureka @130 – a late to the game {{{}}}} for you too – I’ll trade you a Bunning for a Pryor, but if you don’t really expect anything from them the disappointment doesn’t run as deep.
Thanks Mary, Thought a little reading by the first fire in the fireplace would be nice this evening. I think its time to add a novel-lite to the mix in my stack of political books.
Lets just do what we can to help each other rid our our country of these folks.) Lawd knows we don’t want trade lemons among ourselves.
About the letter, it’s no surprise really, for his reputation among constituents of not responding to correspondence is well established.
I had to take a minute and wonder why he or his office would bother to send a response at all so long after original attempts at correspondence (and way past votes) on all issues I tried to chime in on (except pending warrantless surveillance). The letter arriving at all was just a little insult to injury.
I plan to hound him in person with questions during his next campaign so his days of Arkansas softball are just about over.
Sure hope you are doing alright. Trying to send positive thoughts your way the past couple of weeks especially. Everytime I do, I see you brushing horses. *s*
I know he is a classier guy than this, but don’t you just wish that Donovan McNabb would step forward and say:
“Wow, Rush, you really made things clear for me. You are such a genius, please teach me the way oh wise one….you know, after you stop taking the pills, get back from the underaged Latin American prostitutes and viagra and all that….I will surrender my mind to you, oh, and you can teach me how to read defenses, too.”
Don’t you just wish he had pulled that one on him?
deleted by littledog.