Ned Lamont beat Joe Lieberman in Connecticut's Democratic primary last night, to secure the nomination to run for the Senate in November.
As others have noted, Joe's non-concession speech, with it's out-of-place halftime metaphor is going to be remembered even less fondly than his New Hampshire concession speech following the 2004 presidential primary.
But here's the part that really showed me how seriously out of touch Joe is.
"For the sake of our state, our country and my party, I cannot and will not let that result stand," Lieberman said.
But that's the whole point, Joe. All those people who came out to vote yesterday, over 40% turnout for an August primary, it's their party. They're the Democratic Party in Connecticut. Not Joe Lieberman.
Not any more.
Of course, Joe's new party is his party. The Lieberman party, a party of one.
Like all events in human culture, the significance of this election will be made known by how subsequent events turn out. But i think there are two main ways of viewing this election, one cautionary, one celebratory.
First, the cautionary. In a "liberal" state, with a clearly defined distinction between the candidate's positions, a nearly perfect campaign run by the challenger, extraordinarily high turnout, Lamont barely eked out a victory, winning by about 10,000 votes out of 280,000. For those of us looking to force our government to start figuring out to end a wasteful and counterproductive war, that's a sign that there's a lot of heavy lifting still to do.
But incumbent Senators are rarely defeated in elections, especially primary elections. Now we know it can be done. And maybe this election is the crack in the dam that will let those of us who know in our hearts that this country can be made right again that we cannot be held back much longer.
There's been a lot to celebrate this week. Corrupt Republicans like Tom DeLay and Bob Ney have had the bright light shined on them, and they're scurrying for the corners like roaches. We've won an election that 90 days ago was unthinkable.
A quick
scan of the
headlines shows how daunting the task is, of wresting power from those who only know how to sow destruction and fear in their bid to retain it. But it can be done. Last night showed that much, at least.
Continue reading It's my party, and I'll cry if I want to
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