I spent a lifetime in Democratic politics, and I spent that lifetime in Democratic politics playing by the rules. . . . And I said in this primary campaign that I would support the winner, that I would endorse the winner, and that I would vote for the winner. . . . I accept that result just as fully as I accepted 29 good results...in the past.No, no. Not Joe Lieberman. Not tonight. But rather Senator Alan Dixon (Democrat-IL) upon losing re-nomination in 1992 to Carol Moseley-Braun. Gracious in defeat; a true Democrat.
But not Joe. Upon losing re-nomination this evening to Ned Lamont, Lieberman said:
I cannot and will not let that result stand.He then announced his intention to run for re-election as an Independent.
Where the hell was this fighting spirit back in 2000, when his party's presidential ticket - of which he was the vice-presidential candidate - was fighting for it's life in Florida?
I remained quiet on the Connecticut Senate primary because I was on the fence. Lamont was smarter than most expected, and a very attractive alternative to progressives who were disappointed in Lieberman. BUT, the incumbent stuck to his guns on issues he felt strongly about. I admired that - even when I disagreed with him.
Tonight though, 52% of Connecticut's Democratic voters have decided that Lieberman's stance on important issues did not warrant re-nomination. His refusal to "let the result stand" reeks of Republicanism cira 2000 and 2003.
The Senator should respect the voters of his state and stand down.
Update, 5:27am, 9 August:
Quote of the Morning:
I suppose it may already be too late for this, but when the punditocracy starts chattering about how Ned Lamont's victory in Connecticut is a sign that the Democratic Party is diving headlong over some kind of wild-eyed lefty peacenik cliff, I hope they keep in mind that Hank Johnson also won a landslide victory over Cynthia McKinney down in Georgia.-Kevin Drum, reminding us that Lieberman's defeat isn't necessarily a bad thing for the Democrats.
As a result, the Democratic voters in Connecticut, who believe that the war in Iraq is hurting the broader war against radical jihadism, now have a Senate candidate who agrees with them. Likewise, the Democratic voters of DeKalb County, who want a representative who spends more time on district business than on investigating weird conspiracy theories, now have a congressional candidate who promises to do just that.
Seems to me the party acquitted itself pretty well tonight.
