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Challenging Lieberman? (3.00 / 1)

I can't understand the strategy of challenging Lieberman. What is the point of alienating the breadth of the party's appeal coming up to elections in 06 and 08? Can you imagine the stick Republicans could use to beat us, "The Democrats are so left wing they kicked out Joe Lieberman."

We need to start recognizing that to influence policies we have to win first. From a principled perspective if you're against the war I can understand it, but the Democratic Party is not just the anti-war party, and just because a candidate feels differently he shouldn't be forced out or attacked. We need to be inclusive, and the nation desperately needs an atmosphere of inclusivity at a time when this Administration have governed so repugnantly and divisively.

by GrahamChristopher on Tue Dec 06, 2005 at 05:48:40 AM EST

Re: Challenging Lieberman? (none / 0)

i don't think we can worry too much about which stick the republicans are going to beat us with...because they will find their own or use one of ours.  the idea that Lieberman will work for the admin is a bigger stick to hit us with than the twig created from us being critical of the senator.  
by chamben on Tue Dec 06, 2005 at 09:01:37 AM EST
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Re: Challenging Lieberman? (none / 0)

I'm all for inclusivity, but you can't reasonably include people who directly oppose your key principles. We wouldn't accept and include Bush as one of us (a progressive), because he has shown that he opposes our most important priorities.

Lieberman does not oppose as much as Bush, so I'm all for including him where he will work for us.  But he is directly opposed to the essential realities and necessities of dealing with the Iraq Debacle. As such, I'm interested in an opportunity to replace him with someone who has demonstrated that they will better represent our priorities, whether they are "included" under the same party label or not.

Such opportunities are called "elections."

Tim Wolfe

John McCain is not pro-choice!

by bruorton on Tue Dec 06, 2005 at 10:29:34 AM EST
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Re: Challenging Lieberman? (none / 0)

Two things:  first if Lieberman was only bad on the war, I would be more inclined to agree with your post.  At the very least I would want to know alot of specifics on where Weicker is on a vast number of domestic-economic issues.  But Lieberman is bad on every issue but choice and the environment.  Plus, as long as he is in the Senate and the Republicans are in the majority, he will constantly sell out our party by cutting a deal with them.  Second, I have no fear of what the Republicans might say about this.  I think Democrats worry way too much about what the Republicans might say in general, and in this matter in particular, since Lieberman has no national following at all, what ever the Republicans say wont hurt a bit.
Andy Katz
by Andy Katz on Tue Dec 06, 2005 at 11:40:42 AM EST
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"Only bad on the war" would be enough (none / 0)

It's not the same as, say, "only bad on tort reform."

I agree with the rest of your post.

It would be better for Weicker to run as a Dem, however, because him running as an indy could ruin what little chance we have of retaking the Senate if it allows the Repug to sneak through.

"We are building a political movement - not one that wields the power of lobbyists and corporate interests, but the power of millions... who seek change." -Dean
by Jim in Chicago on Tue Dec 06, 2005 at 02:44:28 PM EST
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Re: "Only bad on the war" . . . (none / 0)

My understanding (guess?) is that Weicker wont run as a Republican for two reasons.  First, he is unlikely to win the primary if he has an opponent and second, it is hard for me to imagine him getting along with the current conservatives who dominate that party in the Senate.  I think he will run as an independant.  I think he'd havea fair chance to win against two hardline pro-war opponents.  If so, it will be important for him to declare that he would vote for the Dems in organizing the Senate.
Andy Katz
by Andy Katz on Tue Dec 06, 2005 at 04:07:17 PM EST
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Re: Challenging Lieberman? (none / 0)

     Lieberman has a reasonable record on a number of issues, but he himself never raises those issues when on television or radio. He constantly hectors the party on the war and issues of national security. He also provided cover for the administration on Abu Gharib, raising 9/11 when there were absolutely no comparisons between the two.
     And can anyone really forgive his holier-than-thou pronouncments on any number of issues from Clinton's transgressions to sexual content on television. Lieberman has relished taking a contrary position to the party and/or the "liberal culture" that it represents. He's made his entire reputation as a media whore based on his willingness to bash us every chance he's given. He's no friend to the Democratic Party and if Weicker is willing to caucus with us, then I'm willing to say, "Sic 'em, Lowell!"
by Lokileague on Tue Dec 06, 2005 at 11:56:26 AM EST
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Not the Democrats (none / 0)

If Weicker runs, it will be as an indie.  So it will be the voters who kicked out Lieberman.  Weicker will surely caucus with us, a la Jeffords, though.
by Geotpf on Tue Dec 06, 2005 at 07:18:44 PM EST
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