Joementum is on the move

July 3, 2006

Sen. [tag]Joe Lieberman[/tag] has been in a tough spot for a while now. He’s committed himself to running in the Democratic primary against [tag]Ned Lamont[/tag], but he’s repeatedly said he’d consider running as an independent if Lamont beats him the Aug. 8 [tag]primary[/tag].

But that’s not as easy as it sounds. Given the deadline for an independent candidate’s petition signatures, [tag]Lieberman[/tag] would have to collect 7,500 signatures literally over night, immediately after a humiliating primary defeat. It’s created an awkward dynamic: Lieberman would have to start collecting signatures before the primary, just in case, but that would further annoy Connecticut Democrats who aren’t thrilled with him anyway.

What to do? Start the process the day before a major national holiday.

Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman is to announce today he will petition for a place on the November ballot as an “independent Democrat,” giving him a chance to stay alive politically should he lose an Aug. 8 primary for the Democratic nomination.

So, Lieberman is committed to being the Democratic nominee, but his commitment to the party will disappear if actual Democrats have the temerity to vote for someone else.

Primary voters tend to be the most loyal, active members of both parties. As a rule, they have made a sincere commitment to the party, and more often than not, like candidates who feel the same way. If many [tag]Connecticut[/tag] [tag]Democrats[/tag] are concerned that Lieberman’s values and priorities have strayed too far from the party’s mainstream, how does Lieberman suppose these people will react to word that he’s already begun taking steps to give up on the party altogether?

He will split the Republican vote. Dem voters want a democratic controlled house and senate. They will not vote for an Independent at this time. Moderate Republicans (there are still a few out there) who are agog at what has happened to their party, will use Joe as a salve for thei conscience.

To be sure he will take some Dems away, but it will, at the very least, be a wash with the Repubs he splits.

Okay … at tleast that’s what I HOPE happens.

  • Ahhh… so that’s how he plans to insure continued support of the DSCC. To remain a democrat, albeit an independent one. And a pledge to caucus with the dems, of course. Clever.

  • I’m beginning to think this guys believes Connecticut exists primarily to give him a seat in the U.S. Senate.

    Boy, I hope he loses and loses big.

  • When I spell ‘Lieberman’, I spell it ‘s-c-h-m-u-c-k’.

    It boggles the mind just how omnipotent he seems to think he is, and how disconnected from reality. Apparently he thinks that his appeal is so strong that just appearing on the ballot, under whatever label, will assure him victory.

    I don’t think so.

  • No, with Lieberman, it’s not “schmuck,” it’s “Putz.” (“A penis that thinks it’s a man” – in other words, A Really Serious Prick)

    I was never aware of this whiny little self-righteous sonofabitch before 2000, and then after hearing him speak once my thought was “What were they thinking????”

    For anyone who wonders where that four letter anti-Semitc slur that begins with “k” came from, here’s Exhibit A.

  • And that his fellow Senator-From-Tel-Aviv, Schumer, is willing to support him regardless shows another DINO in need of extinction next election cycle that he comes up.

  • The only reason Lierberman was on the 2000 Democratic ticket, and has claimed some importance ever since, was because the party leadership thought they needed to emphasize religious values after the stink raised by the Clinton blowjob. See where an overweening interest in religious values gets you?

  • Got a Jewish thing going on there Tom? I’m wondering exactly what about his assholeishness has to do with being Jewish. Maybe you can explain it to us…..

  • I’m also wondering what Lieberman’s faith has to do with his being a dick.

    The rancid “Senator from Tel Aviv” meme, within the progressive community, could have been scripted by Karl Rove. If you’re an anti-Semite, there’s no more place for you here than if you hate blacks, gays, hispanics or any other group defined by faith, ethnicity or lifestyle choice.

    I deplore Lieberman… but the fact that he’s Jewish has nothing to do with it. And if there’s one group in America that has consistently been on the side of the angels, it’s been the one I’m proud to belong to–even if we have to claim the occasional Lieberman or Wolfowitz.

  • Tom, Andy is right–don’t let your anger lead you to the gutter. Just kick the shit out of Holy Joe without referring to his religious/cultural identity. Nevertheless, a schmuck is a schmuck.

    Holy Joe is wrong on a whole host of issues. Lamont just needs to show how far Lieberman is off the Democratic reservation (DINO–a.k.a. Bush lapdog).

  • being opposed to Zionism or expansionist policy makes one no more an anti-Semite than, say, being opposed to the racist invective of the Nation of Islam or the Five Percenters makes one anti-black or white supremacist. unfortunately, the two are often conflated within the media and political dialogue.

  • Lieberman has shown his true colors with such a stunt. With a Catholic father and a Jewish mother, I see things a little differently. I know that religious fanatics shouldn’t be in politics, but I also know fanatics come in all denominations. I think that the holier than thou attitude is hard to take in a social situation, but when you give these people power, watch out. Leiberman is just like GWB –a self serving nutcase with a strong delusion of entitlement.

  • being opposed to Zionism or expansionist policy makes one no more an anti-Semite than, say, being opposed to the racist invective of the Nation of Islam or the Five Percenters makes one anti-black or white supremacist.

    Except neither comment made reference to Lieberman’s or Schumer’s support for Israel, Zionism or expansionist policy. Just that they were Jewish. Unfortunately, you’re conflating being a Jew with being a Zionist.

  • prm: when has Lieberman ever taken a stance that was in opposition to zionist expansionism? i’m not conflating being a jew with being a zionist, i am suggesting that this particular jew is a zionist, as well as that the kneejerk cries of anti-semitism should be discarded in favor of, say, asking Tom what he actually meant.

  • I’ve never understood the appeal of Lieberman. Granted I HAD to vote for him in 2000, but he’s always been a suspicious figure for me–remember how the Reagan White House supported him against the Republican incumbent Weicker. I’ve always assumed he was a Republican mole.

    The question now is, if he is elected as an independent, which party will he caucus with?

    It could become an important question in a close election.

  • prm: when has Lieberman ever taken a stance that was in opposition to zionist expansionism? i’m not conflating being a jew with being a zionist, i am suggesting that this particular jew is a zionist, as well as that the kneejerk cries of anti-semitism should be discarded in favor of, say, asking Tom what he actually meant

    the story and the thread had nothing to do with Lieberman’s zionism or any of his other policies and was solely about his decision announced today to not support his fellow Democrat Lamont and run as an independent should he lose in the primary. The only one bringing in zionism is you. No one has called anybody an anti-semite (knee-jerkly or otherwise) and, in fact, Tom actually *was* asked to explain to us what he meant by bringing Lieberman’s religion into the discussion..

    Do you have reading comprehension issues or just plain issues?

  • oh, my mistake. i forgot that no discussion can ever be allowed to stray from the precise topic of the article engendering that discussion.

    the whole reason he has to do this in the primary is BECAUSE of the policies he has historically supported. how is that topic not germane to the discussion of his run?

  • If Lamont is smart, he’ll mention Alan Schlesinger (the Republican) in every ad. Even show his picture.

    “Joe Lieberman is gaming the system. Unable to win an election in his own party, he is acting like a spoiled child and refusing to concede. After his constant support of President Bush, he clearly feels that Republicans will vote for him instead of picture of Schlesinger Alan Schlesinger the Republican candidate.”

    Will the Republicans get in there and help Joe get elected?

  • I want to be your Democratic Senator, unless you don’t want me. In that case, do f*&k yourselves.

    Aside to Joementum: There is no such thing as an Independent Democrat. You’re either one of us, or you are not. For the last 5 years, it has seemed as if you are not one of us. Today, you make it official. Good luck in what 4 time Super Bowl winner, Chuck Knoll would call ‘Your life’s work’. It’s certainly not in the US Senate.

  • It is no sin to support Israel’s right to exist. It is a sin to believe that Israel can do no wrong. Holy Joe’s sin is that he supports Israel no matter what.

  • Joe-boy’s gone and sold himself to the GOP. If he can’t stay in the Senate as a “Faux Democrat,” then he’ll do his bit for King and Crown—and help deliver the seat to a fellow Republikanner….

  • I am not an anti-Semite, but there is some very great truth in the recent articles about the power of the Israel Lobby, and one can take a look there about Senators Shumer and Lieberman. Shumer certainly is putting something above party loyalty in this situation, and the Israel Lobby stuff is one thing where they march in lockstep.

    Of course, the main tactic of the Israel Lobby in America is to describe anyone who questions them as “anti-Semitic,” so go right ahead and follow the script.

  • Sov is this disupute and Lamont’s challenge about Lieberman’s support of Israel or Lieberman being a DINO? Lieberman has been staunch in his supoort of Israel since he entered politics – there’s nothing new there and he was re-elected to the Senate from Connecticut twice, his support of Israel notwithstanding. And now you guys are going to inject religion into this and pretend that this is all about Lieberman and Israel?? Please…

  • >i>Of course, the main tactic of the Israel Lobby in America is to describe anyone who questions them as “anti-Semitic,” so go right ahead and follow the script.

    what script is that Tom? – you come in here and brag about your family’s fine lineage (as if we care or as if that matters to ^any* discussion or as if that makes you better than everyone else, but obviously it matters to you because I’m sure you think that your shat don’t stank) and then you start injecting snide derogatory comments about ethinicity and religion where they don’t belong with a wink-wink-nudge-nudge as if you’re at the country club with your fellow snooty blue bloods looking down your nose at everyone else – and you don’t even have the grace to accept responsibility when you’re called on it?

    Get over yourself dude – you’re totally offensive..

  • Listen to me, schmuck. I was the person here who called out “ZogUSA” for his white supremacist anti-semitism and got CB to boot the guy permanently.

    Take your bullshit and stick your head back up your ass.

    The “script” is exactly as you’re playing it, you little pissant.

  • The guy acts as if it’s totally fine in political discourse, where it has absolutely nothing to add substantively to the issue at hand, to say things like “For anyone who wonders where that four letter anti-Semitc slur that begins with “k” came from, here’s Exhibit A” and “And that his fellow Senator-From-Tel-Aviv” and if anyone has a problem with it it’s all part of the pro-Israeli lobby “script” so therefore it’s ok and it’s that person’s problem and that person is accordingly deserving of further crude abuse.

    What’s next – a funny about about Barak Obama incorporating a rhyme that sounds like Roy Rogers’ horse – or is the “humor” only acceptable when it’s directed toward Jews? (Funny I’m not even Jewish, but I can tell offense when I see it)

    I’m not going to stick around a place where such language and sentiment are tolerated. Nice blog CB – I’;ve enjoyed being part of your community, but in good conscience I can’t stay here any longer. Too bad your “friends” stink so bad.

  • Tom, Andy, “can’t we just all get along.”

    I can’t stand Holy Joe. I used to refer to him as a “six-day-a-week Democrat.” I now call Lieberman and politicians of his ilk “Israel-first-er” (which is a play on Pat Buchanan’s “America first” attitude).

    That said–and my previous posts in this thread–let’s all kick the shit out of Holy Joe without using ethic slurs, please.

  • I am ethnically Jewish. I lived in Israel in 1967 through 1968. That said, I think that the Israeli lobby is hugely destructive to the USA national interest. They have become experts at gaming the system and most national elected officials are terrified of crossing them. Anyone who denies this is a bit of an idiot. It is my opinion that the Israeli lobby and their NeoCon wing was a major factor in the Boy King’s and Darth Vader’s decision to invade Iraq. The primary reason that The Putz is in trouble with Conn Democrats is his fanatic support of the war, which is dictated by his fanatic support of Zionist Expansionism. Otherwise, his voting record, while far from ideal, is not egregious to a progressive. So when commenters here write that this topic is not germane, they must be borrowing their blinders from horses in Central Park not to mention their posterior anatomy.

  • # 12
    Gay is not a life style choice or preference
    tell me who you know who CHOSE would be ostracized
    or prefer to lose jobs,family, friends?

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