20060809 KDDC Senator Joe Lieberman versus the Lemmings

Senator Joe Lieberman versus the Lemmings

August 9^th, 2006

I stayed up to see the Connecticut primary results of the Senator Joe Lieberman versus the Lemmings, err, the Ned Lamont campaign the other night.

Unfortunately the contest went as I predicted.

For my take on the contest, please read my Tentacle column for this week – Wednesday, August 9^th, 2006: “Joe Lieberman v. The Lemmings.”

And bear in mind that I filed that column quite a number of days before the Tuesday primary.

To read the spin earlier today, the main stream media would have you think that the Connecticut primary was a bellwether test of President Bush’s approach towards the global war on terrorism, and the war in Iraq, in particular.

To be sure, there are certainly some strong arguments for that point of view.

It was also another reminder of the strength of the blogosphere to affect change and make a difference in politics. That dynamic is only sure to grow.

Be sure to graze the Daily Kos web site. At least here, here and here… You get the picture. Whether you agree or disagree with the politics of the Daily Kos, this is one powerful juggernaut. Take note of the number of comments on any given post.

Yes, the site can be a bit course from time to time. That will change with time. Right now, it wants to be heard and relevant. As both goals are achieved, hopefully some of the unpleasantness will be mitigated.

Getting back to Tuesday’s Connecticut primary, not to be overlooked is how this was a test to see exactly what direction the national Democratic Party is going as we draw closer to the fall elections.

The Connecticut primary certainly peels back the layers of the onion on the vituperative dispute among Democrats about the future direction of the party, with the old-line centrist party stalwarts facing enormous challenges from the young-left on issues of national security and the Iraq War.

Be sure to read the August 9th, 2006 Press Briefing by Tony Snow, which began at 1:18 P.M. CDT at CrawfordMiddle School in Crawford Texas.

Press secretary Snow said, in part:

“As for the primary election in Connecticut last night, I know there's a lot of concern and interest about that. Democratic voters in Connecticut have made their choice, and they have chosen Ned Lamont over Senator Lieberman. Just a couple of observations. Key leaders in the national Democratic Party have made it clear -- let me back up. This is a defining moment in some ways for the Democratic Party. I know a lot of people have tried to make this a referendum on the President; I would flip it. I think instead it's a defining moment for the Democratic Party, whose national leaders now have made it clear that if you disagree with the extreme left in their party they're going to come after you. And it is probably worth trying to trace through some of the implications of that position, because it is clearly going to be one of the central issues as we get ready for the election campaign this year, that is, the mid-term elections.”

Read the rest of his remarks here. It is worth the time.

Certainly the Democratic Party’s lurch to the left is precipitously gaining numbers and momentum. Sorta like, well – lemmings to the sea.

In the parlance of political-wonk-speak, I believe that the soft on terrorism left leanings of the Democratic Party will not serve them well this fall as it fails the “Daddy – Mommy test.”

In times where the American public is concerned for their safety, national security and when the electorate feels threatened, the tendency is to vote for a “national daddy.” (Doesn’t have to be a male or female, just someone strong on national defense and public safety.)

In good economic times and eras of peace, the electorate votes for a “national mommy,” to address social, family and economic issues.

And memo to the Democratic Party, the “it’s patriotic to be against the war,” ain’t cutting it.

The news coming out of Connecticut today is that Senator Lieberman is going to run in the general election as an Independent.

And odds are that he will win.

Things are getting curiouser and curiouser. It’s going to be an interesting several months.

Buckle up; it is going to be bumpy ride.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.

E-mail him at: kdayhoff@carr.org

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