Lieberman (D) Leads Solidly in Connecticut

[Q]

The general election obviously is not going to be interesting, nor part of any larger theme in American politics (other than that Gov and Lt Gov are the only statewide offices the people of Conn are comfortable electing Republicans to now and for the forseeable future).

It's the primary that has potential to tell us something about the role of ideology of the Democratic Party and anything else you want to make of it.


And to those people who say that Lieberman is important to the party, I would ask why the people of Conn should be burdened with him.  Politics is local.  Some swing state, maybe, would be well served to house Joe, but for the same reason Oklahoma shouldn't feel bad about not electing "moderate" Republicans over extremists -- it is a task better left to some place like N.H., or R.I, or Maine.  Pennsylvania, a moderate state on the balance, will likewise get a "centrist" Dem as its Senator.  But since a Senator represents the state to the nation, rather than acting as an agent of the nation working in the state, Conn should expect someone in line with the state's values, not the nation's.

[Q]

I think the Democratic party needs to be a big tent that houses moderate and conservative Democrats.

Yes, but Connecticut shouldn't have to house these "conservatives".  Conservative Democrats like Ben Nelson are great - because they're the best Dems can hope for in places like Nebraska.  But Connecticut deserves a senator more in line with the state's voters.

I think too many people are focusing on the party, and not on the state.  If Lieberman were from some place like Nebraska, I'd support him.  But he's just not appropriate for Connecticut.  For the nation, he is probably a very good thing, however.  But that doesn't mean he deserves re-election in his home state.

[Q]

The people of the state of... any state... deserve whoever they are smart or stupid enough to elect.  Did it ever occure to you that people acctually chose to elect Lieberman?  I think that you exibit a pretty elitist attitude by suggesting anything different.

Give me a break.  Suggesting that an elected official is out of touch with his constituents is hardly "elitist."  And Lieberman has had a shift especially since 2000, when the people of Conn re-elected Al Gore's running mate, not Bush's "favorite Democrat."

[Q]

Didn't you used be to coloured Red, i.e. Democratic? 

Yes, I've long been using D-RI, D-OK, or D-HI avatars, but I decided to be a RAT for a little while.

Is Lamont that telegenic?

I was skeptical at first of his candidacy; it was only after I saw him speak in person that I was convinced.  In that small group setting, he was quite charismatic.  I don't really watch TV, so I'm not sure if he comes across that way on his ads or not, but I'd bet that most people who see him in person will be impressed.