Can you say wow!
once again JOE LIEBERMAN PUTS HIMSELF IN FRONT OF THE DEM PARTY by
refusing to rule out an Independent run!
Basically, if Lamont gets close in the polls, Joe will drop out of the Dem primary and run as an Independent in November, regardless of the great harm that would befall downticket races.
Anyway, today Joe held his first public campaign forum. Several of us where there today in the great American town of Windsor, CT, with questions in hand.
My polite question for Joe was on a placard I had made at Kinko's.
It read, "Please rule out an Independent run."
But frustratingly, as an original member of DumpJoe, I knew I wouldn't be able to ask my question. Not with Lieberman toadie Ken Dagliere in the room. (He had previously prevented me from asking questions at a previous DTC event.)
Luckily, a 17-yr old blogger by the name of Joe Lolly, (pretty sure on the name), drove half an hour from Simsbury, CT to help out. On his own, he stepped up to ask the question I couldn't, and boy, did he hit a towering home run. (more after the break)
Before I get to the question and response, I have to tell you about Joe's speech before the Q & A. He rambled on and on, but part of his spiel was about what a proud Democrat he was, how he was loyal to the Party's interest, and how it was wrong for people to attack him on being a "bad Democrat".
Here is the Q & A:
Our 17 year Kossack-- "Ned Lamont has already stated he would support you if you won the Democratic nomination. And Zell Miller once stated that he would always be a member of the Democratic Party. Can you make similar promises?"
Lieberman-- "...I hope that there is not a primary. I'm confident that if there is one, I'll win it, but I'm not going to rule out any other options... I want to give all the voters a chance to make that decision on election day in November..."
CTBlogger has audio of the clip, here.
Joe, let me use the words of Harry Reid to tell you where you are: "Joe knows he's out there alone. I mean, literally alone. Joe is a fine man, he has strong feelings, but he's just alone. Even Republicans don't agree with Joe."
My fervent hope is that Democrats across the country turn their backs on Joe, unless he changes course. We shouldn't let him use us. If he wants to be a Democrat, vow to stay a Democrat, and endorse the Dem nominee. Loyalty cuts both ways!
I promise more tomorrow about the implications of all this.
Basically Joe is threatening, "Kiss my ring and fall in line, or else I'll ruin everyone's chances in November!"
P.S. The Lamont delegation is shaping up to be the deciding swing vote at the State Convention for the Malloy/DeStefano gubernatorial endorsement. Both these guys have shown token support of Lieberman. It will be interesting to see which side really wants the anti-war delegation!