Blogosphere Day: Lieberman Refuses To Rule Out Running As a Republican

by Chris Bowers, Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 09:58:18 AM EDT

Just when you thought Joe's party loyalty couldn't get any worse:So today Election Central has just posed a simple question to the Lieberman campaign: Will Lieberman or will he not rule out running on the GOP line if he loses to Lamont in August and it's offered to him? This is fairly straightforward: Yes, or no? Which is it? The question has been posed to Lieberman campaign deputy press secretary Noah Kores, and the campaign is mulling it.I can't wait to see Lieberman's "Democratic" defenders support this move. Then, when he runs as a Republican, I can't wait to see those great defenders of personal responsbility (and no accountability) blame his party switch on someone besides Holy Joe.

So far, the blogosphere has raised $3,970 for Ned Lamont today. Since Ned is matching every dollar donated between now and August 8th, that makes $7,940 overall. Let's shoot to make that an even $10,000 by 3pm.

Update: With 10 minutes to go, we are at $4,534. Almost there. Just another $466 to go. Chip in what you can.

Tags: CT-Sen, Fundraising (all tags)

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Re: Blogosphere Day: Lieberman

didnt support lamont from the start, not because of him or joes positions but because of the resource-time issue. but goddam, lieberman is making himself look bad. who the hell told him that hell be anything other than javitz in 1980 if he loses the primary. therefore, he needs to win the primary, and you dont do that by ditching your party, or even worse joining the opposition.

by yomoma2424 2006-07-19 10:09AM | 0 recs

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Re: Blogosphere Day: Lieberman

well he ruled it out, so so much for that

by yomoma2424 2006-07-19 03:33PM | 0 recs

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somebody should get fired

If you are Deputy Press Secretary (Noah Kores) and somebody asks if you'll run as a Republican, you should be fired if you don't immediately answer, "HELL NO!"

If you are "mulling" it over because the candidate would actually consider running as a Republican after losing the Democratic Primary then the candidate needs to be fired.

by Bob Brigham 2006-07-19 10:12AM | 0 recs

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Re: somebody should get fired

Almost. If you're mulling it over because Judas the candidate needs to be fired, you STILL say HELL NO. If he's skunk enough to switch parties, he's skunk enough not to object to a pragmatic lie.

I mean, most of the polls (prior to this new gaffe, anyhow) indicate that, even after all that crap, the voters may be more likely than not to give Lieberman another chance. He hasn't even lost yet. Why would anyone, no matter how big a turncoat, burn bridges in that way when he hasn't even lost yet, when there's an excellent chance the whole thing will be moot after the primary? He gains nothing and loses a lot.

That's not strategy. It's both moral and strategic incompetence in the biggest way. Has Joe even considered what happens if he beats Lamont? Do his internal polls show something we haven't seen? Enquiring minds want to know!

by admiralnaismith 2006-07-19 11:45AM | 0 recs

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Re: Blogosphere Day: Lieberman Refuses To Rule Out

Wow. That is all I can say. CT Dem primary voters you know what to do.

by Demrock6 2006-07-19 10:22AM | 0 recs

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liebermanlives

Where's 'liebermanlives'? I'd love to hear his apologetic excuse for this one.

by zt155 2006-07-19 10:27AM | 0 recs

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Re: liebermanlives

You know it already. "The evil lefty bloggers forced good kind old Joe out of the Democratic Party. They've proved that the Democrats have no room at the inn for anyone other than their own gorupthink hivemind blahblahblah..."

Or to put it more succinctly: "OMG STFU I'M LEAVING HATE YOUALL!!!"

by admiralnaismith 2006-07-19 11:32AM | 0 recs

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In search of 20 straight gutter balls

Is Lieberman trying to lose the primary? His entire campaign has been a masochistic triumph of remarkable proportion. But everything until now has been a strategic blunder caused by fear, self-absorbtion, and lack of preparation or foresight. This is pure traitor.

by jagakid 2006-07-19 10:31AM | 0 recs

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Re: Get local MSM to follow-up

Shouldn't we all e-mail the local TV news stations and ask them to follow up on this comment from the Lieberman camp?

by justinh 2006-07-19 10:43AM | 0 recs

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Re: Get local MSM to follow-up

It's a good question, that needs to be asked. Hopefully it will.

Tim

by Tim Tagaris 2006-07-19 10:59AM | 0 recs

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Where's the fire?

What do you expect the guy's people to say?

He's not feeling any love in the Dem room, he's finding to be competitive a candidate he would have expected to crush like a bug and is contemplating the real possibility of being shoved off the Dem line in the November ballot.

Of course he's reviewing the situation!

He's clearly planning to win in Nov by any means necessary. What's wrong with that?

If I were Rahmbo and Chucky Boy, I'd find out what brand he drinks and send a case to all my other candidates!

by skeptic06 2006-07-19 10:43AM | 0 recs

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What I expect him to say

NO!

by Chris Bowers 2006-07-19 10:54AM | 0 recs

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Re: What I expect him to say

I rather think the guy lost that sliver of remaining credibility as a yellow-dog when he embraced the notion of running as an independent against the official Dem candidate.

Doesn't that strike you as a pretty definitive burning of the boats, loyalty-wise?

Assuming Lamont wins the primary, what, in reality, will be the difference between Uncle Joe having just one line on the ballot, as petitioning Democrat (or whatever - I'm not up on the technicalities) or having a GOP line as well?

I'm not suggesting that Lieberman hasn't forfeited any expectation of loyalty from the Dems - I'd say, right now, he's clearly done so.

But, given that fact, it seems only reasonable that he should be exploring all avenues.

(It is, of course, quite likely that, if he's re-elected, Lieberman will be the pivotal senator for deciding which party controls the Senate. I'm sure Uncle Harry, for one, won't be wanting to burn bridges quite this early in the game.)

I don't expect lefty bloggers to be pleased that he hasn't, like Rahmbo with his coffin vid, withdrawn at the first sign of pressure.

But surely his reaction is eminently understandable?

by skeptic06 2006-07-19 11:09AM | 0 recs

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Re: Where's the fire?

If I were Rahmbo and Chucky Boy, I'd find out what brand he drinks and send a case to all my other candidates!

Uh, no. The Lieberman campaign staff is the Democratic version of Catherine Harris. I don't know if Lieberman has the worst staff of any Democrat running in 2006, but he is coming damn close. Garry South had an unlimited campaign fund in California, but ran a campaign so awful that Westly lost anyway. In Montana, Tylynn Gordon started out with twice as much money and name recognition but Morrison was stomped by 26 pts. Both of these were open primaries, yet Sean Smith's campaign that can't shoot straight in Connecticut is losing with an incumbent who started the year with a huge campaign warchest and high approval ratings.

If I were Rahmbo or Chucky, I'd send a picture of Lieberman kissing Bush to every Democratic incumbent in the DLC or Blue Dogs and tell them to pull their heads out of their asses and play with the team printed on their uniforms.

by Bob Brigham 2006-07-19 11:08AM | 0 recs

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Re: Where's the fire?

The Lincoln allusion was only about Lieberman's dogged determination to stick to his task, in the face of ever greater odds.

At least he hasn't got the slows - that he's heading quickly towards a bottomless pit, I don't in the least rule out!

by skeptic06 2006-07-19 11:14AM | 0 recs

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Re: Where's the fire?

But his actions aren't based on strategy or detimination, but based on fear and over-reaction.

If Joe Lieberman had been determined to get re-elected (since he started the year with high approval ratings and a huge war chest) he would probably be on track to win the primary and get re-elected in the fall. Instead, he is throwing hail mary passes.

This isn't determination, but desperation.

by Bob Brigham 2006-07-19 11:19AM | 0 recs

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Re: Where's the fire?

I don't dispute that his current parlous situation isn't mostly of his own making (I've not been following the campaign sufficiently to make any sort of judgement on that).

But, however much that situation is his fault, he is, at least, apparently examining all options for extricating himself- thinking, as they say, outside the box. And carrying on fighting, however ineffectually.

That's about as far as my admiration for Joe extends.

by skeptic06 2006-07-19 11:31AM | 0 recs

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Yeah.

Of course, if he'd stayed in the box, he'd still be a relatively admired Senator with zero chance of losing.

And if he had fought this hard against the Republicans six years ago, he'd be Vice President!

by admiralnaismith 2006-07-19 11:50AM | 0 recs

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A Simple Question...

This is a Democratic primary... Those who identify themselves with the Democratc Party and are committed enough to get out and vote..... So, if I were advising Lamont, I'd repeat this question every time I got the chance:

Will Joe respect the verdict of the Democratic voters?

Otherwise, what's the point in participating in a party's internal affairs?

The same question/message should be addressed to those Dems who support Joe L. And we should pressure them (and the party) that the choice of our base should be respected! Period!

by Andros 2006-07-19 11:49AM | 0 recs

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Re: Blogosphere

Predictable.

The whole anti Lieberman project exposes us to losing a seat in the Senate. And for what enormous boon?

I despise Lieberman, but don't we have more significant priorities?

by NorCalJim 2006-07-19 12:29PM | 0 recs

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Re: Blogosphere

I generally would agree with you, but take a look at just how ridiculous a situation LIEBERMAN HAS CAUSED! I mean seriously, this is ALL his fault. Sure, some people would have called for a primary challenge against the guy purely because he's wrong on Iraq. But this whole situation has only reached critical mass b/c he bashes the hell out of his own party every chance he gets and repeats GOP attack lines with a smug smile on his face. And now, he's "mulling over" whether to run as either an Independent or a REPUBLICAN!

Given all of that, doesn't it seem like taking this guy out really is worth the cost? Personally, I think it is.

by HSTruman 2006-07-19 01:32PM | 0 recs

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It's a Dead Man's Party

Again, I think this is pretty hysterical and not very meaningful. Lamont's opposition to Lieberman is really about making Vichy Democrats responsible for the Iraq War pay. However...personally Lieberman doesn't fit the VD mold.

But Lieberman is a fool. The three way race is a guaranteed way to ensure that something unpredictable happens. Schlessinger has no chance if the Dems unite around a nominated Lamont. But if Lieberman continues to rile the Democrat base by running as an independent....God help us.

I can already hear the spin now...about how the Republican's ascension will be a testament to why you don't cut and run...etc...etc....and if Joe wins the primary...it will be about moral values and "staying the course". And if Lamont becomes the next senator?!? The Democrat insiders will just get that much more defensive and afraid that in '08 the "liberal fringe" is going to take out the trash.

The liberal blogosphere and the radical right-wing have the same problem: both their parties are run by corporate whores who are far more interested in making deals and getting paid that about establishing some sort of...uh...agenda.

by risenmessiah 2006-07-19 01:55PM | 0 recs