So Joe Lieberman lost the Connecticut Democrat senatorial primary by a few percentage points – despite the best efforts of Fox News. There is a question over which of Lieberman and victor Ned Lamont is the more liberal as we would define the term over here – this was perhaps more akin to a Blairite being deselected in favour of an Old Labour type, although it’s not as simple as that. What is interesting – and, yes, pleasing – is the sight of voters turning out en masse to make their voices heard and giving the White House’s favourite Democrat a slapping.
Regardless of the finer points of social security reform, Lieberman’s support for Bush – and his comments along the line that criticising the President at a time of war is bad for the country – makes his loss gratifying. It shows what can happen to politicians who continually disregard the peope who worked to get them elected, and who put their own political careers first. If there was any doubt on the latter point, it was disspelled when Lieberman announced that for the “good of the country” he would run as an independent. He is asking what Connecticut can do for him rather than what he can do for Connecticut.
Alex has written a typically thoughtful piece that’s worth a read, and there’s continuing coverage at Daily Kos.
Meanwhile, someone apparently taking a leaf out of Liberman’s book on being “strong on security” is Dr John Reid, who, in true New Labour Newspeak, tells us that:
“We may have to modify some of our freedoms in the short-term in order to prevent their misuse and abuse by those who oppose our fundamental values and would destroy our freedoms and values in the long-term”.
“Modify” our freedoms? What sort of euphemism is that? And how many freedoms that the government have recently curtailed in the “short-term” have we since had restored by them? Any? And does “short-term” mean “for the duration of the open-ended War on Terror”? Do they not get that making the UK less of a free state is giving into terrorism?
Dear Joe –
We all know what happened. Ned won. You lost. There’s not much else to the story. It’s how democratic elections work. We all know that you’re going to run as an “Independent Democrat” this fall, too. Speaking on behalf of Democrats and Americans everywhere, I ask you not to run in November. The citizens of Connecticut – and, to be honest, America – don’t want you. I can’t say it’s nothing personal, but you shouldn’t take it too hard; it’s politics, the game you have been playing for decades. For the greater good, I implore you to be a man and step down. Admit defeat. Do what you can in the Senate this term, and then, when the votes are counted in the big election, hand over power with dignity. This is American democracy, and it’s bigger than any individual pride/ambition/vanity issues you may have personally. You are a public servant, and you’re supposed to put on a good face for America and for the world. Instead, you are making us look like children. Be an adult, and an American citizen – not a selfish, power-hungry politician, looking only for personal power and ignoring the greater good. You must also aware of the tensions splitting the Democratic party right now; the Republicans are drooling over the fact that we can’t get along and how that’s going to give them Congress again this year. By running, you’re not helping the Democrats – you’re showing the Republicans and the world that Democratic politicians are petty and small. You’re showing the Americans that we have sore losers in our party, people unwilling to play by the rules, and that’s exactly what we don’t need right now. You’re what we don’t need right now.
In the 2000 election, you and Al lost, too. What did you do? You made friends with the winner. Why not make friends with Lamont, too? You’ve made a big deal of his amateur qualities. If he wins, help him get adjusted to Washington. Show him around. Get him a copy of Robert’s Rules, or loan him yours. Tell him where to find good coffee. Give him tips on which politicians are only out for themselves and who don’t care about America, and point out the few public servants who really do care for this country’s welfare so he can work with them. We all know you’ve been in the Senate for 18 years; you know Washington, so help him out a little.
But be a man, Joe – not a child. Admit defeat with dignity and courage, and look to the next phase of your private life. It’s what is best for us all.
Sincerely,
AS
An American Citizen
Why not run? There doesn’t seem any danger of the Republicans sneaking in the back door so at least the voters in the general election will have more choice than usual (though hopefully will kick out Lieberman properly)
I think they’re both awful… The rich leftist, backed by DailyKOS (an obnoxious bunch of self righteous socialists), or the backer of Bush…
On social security reform however, I think Bush is right…
I hope this isn’t a resurgence of socialism in the US, its bad enough with the protectionist nationalist right without adding their equivalent on the left to the mix…
US Social Security – anyone read Niall Ferguson’s ‘Colossus’?