At the Epicenter
I am at Lamont HQ in Meriden Connecticut, there is bounce, there is joy, there are smiles. The Rev. Jesse Jackson was here, arguing that Lamont represents a moral center, against the far right. The numbers roll in, with 252 reporting 59244 for Lamont, 49752 for Lieberman. Atrios, Matt Stoller, Jane Hamsher are here. The MyLeftNutmeg crew - early and avid backers of Lamont - are here. The campaign stalwarts are here, smiling at the first test of their organization and their movement.
Earlier in the day I saw only one Joe Lieberman yard sign - in front of an abandoned gas station with weeds. When an incumbent can't mount visibility - the task of the local party apparatus - it is a sign that there is not only defeat in the air, but disaster. The last song played on the Titanic by the band is, in legend "Nearer my God to Thee." The Lieberman campaign will be hearing it soon.
This is an important room, it is more integreated than progressive campaigns past, and there is no hint of hairshirt morality. This is about something, but not about anger or outrage or denial - but of a brighter future that will come when America puts down false burdens and assumes its proper place in the world.
The media likes being here, even the Fox News intern smiles. The camerap people look for shots, and everywhere they turn there are shirts, signs and smiles. It is victory. 61115-51405 with 266 reporting.
America is a nation of revolutions, we love them so much that we have them at the ballot box. This is one of the those revolutions, over, as all revolutions are, the blood of patriots. Joe has tried to sprinkle himself in the blood of those who have served. Instead the fallen are the tears of a nation, pressed by forces they can feel but they do not understand. Every knows this is a piece of history, and they can feel, not that it is unfolding, but that it has unfolded, and is now coming in like the tide.
Rev Jackson gave his interview in the blogging room - not the press room. He was listend to be everyone, and spoke first with calm reflection, and then with increasing passion. He was ably attended by Shelley Jackson - a serious, but able, young man who was everywhere attending to the details of the Reverend's schedule. He was photographed, but also blogged.
There has not yet been a definining image of the night - 68622 57259 with 296 reporting 678. Songs have come and gone - U2 and the Beatles have passed through the room - in the other room some bloggers are ready to skewer Joe with is 2004 campaign song. The day was spent under pressure to debunk the $15 dollar internet scam - where Lieberman bought a small internet account, and then called it a hack.
The crowd cheers as 71178 58793 is read out. The 55% level has held for 45 minutes. A speech seems near.
But it is clear that a landslide is in progress, and under it will be Bush's dream of a permanent war time Republican anti-liberal state. Lieberman can run - 117678 103339 with 542 reporting - but he will only lose tired.
TV reporting different numbers from campaign - 106996 for Lamont and 99940 for Lieberman with 76% reporting.
23:04:40 Lieberman concedes race, says he is going to run in general.
The Democratic Party has now been split.
Lamont delivers a victory speech: "Stay the course does not work in Iraq." Lieberman talked in vague anti-partisanship, Lamont is giving specifics:
1. Fix the health care system.
2. Fix the budget.
3. Bring Home the troops to a heroes welcome. But bring them home.
4. Fix George Bush's failed foreign policy.
Fix is Ned Lamont's word, and change is his brand.
Stirling, cand I ask you where you're getting those numbers? From the Lamont headquarters itself?
Thanks?
August 8, 2006 6:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Bubbles
Thanks so much for the report. Everyone who is actually at HQ blogging is getting slammed! Thank you, thank you! Excellent. I feel like dancing and I'm in Indiana.
August 8, 2006 6:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
I am at HQ. The 80% reporting is the crusher.
Checkmate Mr. Lieberman.
Stirling Newberry http://www.bopnews.com
August 8, 2006 6:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Bubbles
Someone on Atrios' blog said that Candy Crowley on CNN is reporting that Liebeman is catching up. Is this true? God I hate the MSM.
August 8, 2006 6:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Who is feeding those BS numbers? Is somebody disinforming the Lamont people to embarrass them? Or are they actually giving out falsely inflated vote totals to keep spirits up? This is a smelly event so far...
August 8, 2006 7:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
I guess it's not THAT far off. It's just been disconcerting watching Lamont's percentage lead dwindle all evening. here's hoping the raw vote lead makes him uncatchable.
Hartford Courant:
U.S. Senate - - Dem Primary
598 of 748 Precincts Reporting - 79.95%
Name Party Votes Pct
Lamont, Ned Dem 114,165 51.75
Lieberman, Joe (i) Dem 106,428 48.25
August 8, 2006 7:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well Stirling, psifighter has a picture of you up at Daily Kos (which has crashed for the moment, 2,000 hits per minute, yeesh). Nice gray suit ya got on! Wish I was there, and I'm sure I'm not the only one! Lamont's lead is narrowing, and I've got my fingers crossed, which makes it kind of hard to type ...
August 8, 2006 7:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Lieberman would have to take the remaining votes by a score of about 25,700 for him to about 18,300 for Lamont, or 59% to 41% (estimation based on votes remaining as of the 80%-of-precincts-reporting mark). How likely is THAT?
Shalom, Joe!
August 8, 2006 7:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Meriden?!
No wonder the streets seemed so empty there. Everyone is at the Sheraton.
Have fun, and keep those fingers and toes crossed peoples.
There's a beautiful bright full moon outside.
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August 8, 2006 7:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wow.
Peretz is blaming Clinton for Lieberman's loss.
August 8, 2006 9:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wow. I mean, just wow.
Well, Peretz has lost his grip, and can no longer be deemed a member in good standing of the reality-based community.
(Oh, and, well done, Ned!)
August 8, 2006 9:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Lamont is not a politician. As a result he will have little success on Capitol Hill.
Hell, he might as well put these measures on his agenda as well:
1)Eliminate racism
2)Eradicate crime
3)Educate all children
4)Eliminate all debt
5)Have an affair with an intern
August 8, 2006 9:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's actually pretty good. Up here in Canada, we actually do all that, or work towards it.
All except for number 5. Since Canadians reproduce by asexual budding, it would be kind of pointless.
August 8, 2006 9:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hey guys,
I think it's over now. Drudge called it at 10:10pm EST
http://www.LazyJournalist.com
August 8, 2006 9:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
:) You tell 'em, boyo (or, you go girl, depending on your gender).
No, wait. Do you really think you should be giving away such state secrets?
August 8, 2006 10:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
If you think the Bushies are not worried about this off-year election, just look at this story in the WaPo:
War Crimes Act Changes Reduce Threat of Prosecution
It may be that any attempt by BushCo to claim that Democrats are not tough enough on national security will be overshadowed by his administration's effort to cover their rears.
Look for continued attacks on the House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member, John Conyers. The Committee Democrats issued the report "Constitution in Crisis" that is a virtual blueprint for impeachment a few types in this administration. CNN was the only outlet that covered the report.
And if you want proof of Rummy's ability to lie under oath before the Senate, find The Daily Show from last night. It's a sketch. It wasn't up yet on Crooks and Liars.
August 9, 2006 4:03 AM | Reply | Permalink
I also noticed our very own MaryFromRI posting there in the TNR comments (as MaryM) with some of her trademark measured and encouraging comments for Lamont supporters.
August 9, 2006 5:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
He'll vote and they don't weigh votes, they count them.
August 9, 2006 5:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
Well, if Lamont represents a real desire for change from the people, I think you'll see many more "non-politicians" up in Congress in Nov.
And to the extent that Lamont's victory pushes other Dems to feel better/safer about more aggressively opposing Bush and the GOP, as well as pushing for universal health care, we may find he has plenty of success.
Have questions about the Cafe? Try here.
August 9, 2006 7:15 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, I love John Conyers. (he's a homie) I hope to hell he gets to Chair the Judiciary...Repubs will be in deep do-do...this is not a man who can be bought. Hope they don't Wellstone him. These are very threatening times for the GOP.
August 9, 2006 7:16 AM | Reply | Permalink
They say papers are on the way out because of internet blogs.
Now I think maybe even my love affair with NPR might be on the wane.
Today in their report on the race, I felt like I knew more about the race than the reporter. They mentioned that black luminaries such as Jesse Jackson were on hand for the campaign, but never mentioned the 'backstory,' which was that Lieberman had accused Lamont of being a negro hater, and black leaders showed up to call Joe's bluff.
I know that a "news brief" is just that - brief. You can't have a story about the Lebanon war that begins, "In 680 A.D. Mohamed founded Islam in Mecca Arabia."
But still - one sentence about the flyers at the black churches couldn't have hurt.
Maybe TPM and other blogs exagerate the importance of the Joe2006 hacking allegation, but NPR didn't even mention it.
So here's a hearty back slap to TPM and it's contributors. It's not hyberbole to say you are the future of 'news.'
August 9, 2006 7:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
John Edwards was also a senator with no practical experience at governing. In his first term he wrote and passed the Patients Bill of Rights, a rather important piece of Legislation that benefitted the Majority.
John Edwards was the first National Democrat to congratulate Lamont last night.
They are both populists, and we need a lot more of them.
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August 9, 2006 7:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
Well, not the entire future. Most bloggers today take news stories and comment on them. They simply do not have the resources or time to what papers do. They have contacts and journalistic protections.
But for live events, like Katrina in the early days, and elections blogs are better because reports of people on the ground get out, and you can get news right away throughout the entire campaign, news that might not be cost-effective for the traditional media to report.
August 9, 2006 9:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
But Stirling was on the scene - Josh has reporters on retainer.
Also, the archives and linking structures allow these short headline type blog entries, so that Josh can just type "Scalia nixes Delay bid" and you're totally caught up. You can click the link and/or look through the past Delay related posts for your back-story. NPR is great, but those tools aren't available to them - same with TV and newspapers.
Besides, newspapers and TV are de-emphasizing reportage in favor of blow-hard fests - it's almost like the blog commentariat has to take up the slack by actually digging through documents and making phone calls to nail down real, actual, no kiddin' around FACTS.
It's for real live reporting and breaking stories (like they did with some of the Cunningham related stories) that Josh and company should be quite proud.
August 9, 2006 10:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
Edwards also is a lawyer with a highly regard practice and numerous legal wins for patient rights. So he had the skills, legal experience and knowledge to contribute in terms of writing legislation.
What is Lamont's bkgrd?
August 9, 2006 11:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
Peretz left the reality based community quite some time ago. But when the guy that cuts the checks has gone insane no one is in a position to shut him up for his and their own good.
August 9, 2006 11:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
Lamont was accused of not being a SUPPORTER. Not of hatred...geez...
Sorry but, the only hatred was the minstrel image of Joe done by a Lamont supporter. Perhaps, that is why the backstory was not covered, so as not to bring up that 'hateful racist image' Hamsher created.
August 9, 2006 11:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
Edwards is also
1. Comfortable in his own skin
2. Not trying to prove his manliness
3. A stellar rhetorician and speaker
4. Even smarter than he appears
August 9, 2006 2:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Lamont's background is in business.
Stirling Newberry http://www.bopnews.com
August 9, 2006 2:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
So being called fringe lefty peacenick cultists who will doom the Democratic Party doesn't count as hate... Riiiiiiiight.
And note how all the black faces vanished from the joeto-ops once he went indy.
Lieberman's problem is that he is disloyal, and loyalty is currency in politics. Given how much Lieberman outraised and outspent Lamont, Joe should have wiped the floor with Lamont's campaign. But the part apparatus in CT didn't come through for him at the end.
Stirling Newberry http://www.bopnews.com
August 9, 2006 2:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
I did see the blackface Hamscher image on BAGnewsnotes. I'd have like to hear about that on NPR or other broadcast outlets too. Maybe it's a tempest in a teapot, and it doesn't relate to the prime anti-Iraq story, but the fact remains that I felt knew more about the race than the reporter - at least in what he chose to include and exclude.
Maybe its also a fine point of distinction on whether Lamont "hates" blacks or just hangs out at country clubs with people who won't let them into their club. In any case Joe was trying to make hay with the black community and it seemed to have backfired since left wing blacks rushed to his defense.
That's worth mentioning in a broadcast.
August 9, 2006 2:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, indeed we do, workerbee---I want our party to return to the kind of Democrats that I was proud to be affiliated with...the Kennedys, LBJ, Tip O'Neill, FDR, etc., etc--their legacy needs to be championed again.
There are still a few out there. I'd definitely put John Edwards in that catagory. Bill Clinton--despite his all too human "flaws"...was the best President this country has had since JFK. Granted, NAFTA & the Communications Act didn't turn out well, imo...but I'll never doubt his loyalty to duty and to the average American..to people like you & I, workerbee. Al Gore has become a fine Democrat.
We need more like them and less like Lieberman. Lieberman's decision to run on the independent ticket proves that his loyalty is unto himself, first & foremost. It's Democrats like him (although he's no longer a Democrat) that are killing this party.
I just saw on Olberman that Lieberman's been endorsed by 2 republicans--and I guess Karl Rove called him today & said "George & I want to help--whatever we can do, we will"...oh yeah, ol' Joe was a fine Democrat. Sickening.
We need Democrats that are proud to be Democrats, proud to carry on the tradition of last centuries great Democrats. We need Democrats that are not intimidated by the traitorous scumbags that have infested the Executive & Legislative branches of our beloved country.
It's time we took our country back!!!
August 9, 2006 5:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, indeed bambam sir, that's the ticket.
No more status quo.
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August 9, 2006 9:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
I suppose that successful businessmen have never done well in gubmint.
Hoo boy.
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August 9, 2006 9:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, considering that Country Club, although mostly white, ACTUALLY DOES HAVE MINORITY MEMBERS, the point is kinda moot. They are an expensive, elitist club. They are not, however, a racist club. In the very first article Mary from R.I. posted from the Stamford Advocate, they described a recent mixed race marriage that took place there.
That always seems to get lost in the translation. Apparently, it makes no difference to some folks.
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August 9, 2006 9:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not to mention, racist.
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August 9, 2006 9:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Don't forget Social Security. I continue to maintain that few people online did more than Josh Marshall to kill privitazation.
And as we all now know, that particular event began the destruction of the Bush presidency.
August 10, 2006 10:15 AM | Reply | Permalink
Well depends on what you mean by well. Cheney and Rumsfeld have certainly lined their own pockets well. And the DECIDER is a decidely pisspoor example of a 'successful businessman' doing well in gubmint.
August 10, 2006 1:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
I supported to the Kerry/Edwards tkt...I am quite familiar with Edwards
August 10, 2006 1:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Do you EVER read for comprehension, or simply to retort? Do you see the word Negro in that statement you wrote, HUH? Doesn't sound at all like racial denigration..and that is what the post I responsed to asserted, that he was accused of NEGROhatred. Read and learn.
Now that mess you just wrote sounds like typical liberal drug loving no values having 60s type rhetoric. geez...you must have been born in the 70s cause you sure don't get what HATRED is. And to answer your question NO..that does not count as hatred...it is typical slander against liberals. geez
What the heck are you attempting to say here. The only people that acted racist in the campaign were the ones calling themselves Lamont supporters, i.e. Hamsher...what she did is simply indefensible. Lamont supporters should not ever bring this up cause they have no grounds to stand on.
I do not know what your schtick is Newberry, but I tell you what..you act and sound just like the GOP spinners, I HATE. You sound like Hannity, O'Reilly, Coulter, Limbaugh ..all you do is attack, attack, attack. If you are an example of a Lamont supporter I guarantee you he will lose the general election due to your blatant level of disrespect and 'in your face' politics.
It is not helping Lamont ....anymoreso, than that Hamsher photoshopped ministrel image....you are shrill and your behavior is just plain ugly acting..just like that photo.
If I encountered you personally, I would campaign against Lamont based on your rudeness alone.
Workerbee is a very strong supporter but she is not shrill or attacking.
If your behavior is indicative of the underside of Lamont's campaign and the viscious way you approach dissent...there is no way he will win.
Keep it up and you'll see, folks like you do not even get why that photo Hamsher did is repulsive and turned folks off...and is probably one of the primary reasons the URBAN turnout was so VERY LOW!!!
You giving that post a zero rating is indicative of just how clueless you are and it does nothing but reaffirmed how Lamont is out of touch with folks who do not go to country clubs as you are a rabid supporter of his.
August 10, 2006 1:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
The reason it gets lost in translation is because of the racist actions of Hamsher. Folks got the elitist message...but Hamsher took it to blatant racism with that ministrel image. And that is the message that stuck!
A picture is worth a thousand words.
August 10, 2006 1:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Precisely. Not hanging out with folks connotes that the individual is not a supporter or elitist (if wealthy) and socially discriminatory (if middle class)...you have to engage in verbal abuse or ACTS of racism to be construed as 'hating'. But the Lamont supporters like Hamsher and Newberry do not get that. That distinction is why folks were turned off. The racist ACTS are associated with Hamsher who was the Lamont supporter. But you can't get across fine points to folks who beleive that attacking issues is the way to win. It's not.
August 10, 2006 1:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
How much is Lamont held responsible for his supporters?
Nonsense. Twaddle.
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August 10, 2006 6:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
WRB, I'm going to agree to disagree with you on this, as we seem to agree on most other things.
I don't think Mr. Newberry meant to be disrespectful.
I don't think Lamont is racist, nor, it appears do folks that have studied him and his campaign in URBAN areas.
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August 10, 2006 6:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
I was thinking, Truman.
But whatever.
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August 10, 2006 7:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
If a person and their views are well known with a strong track record for or against an issue then I would agree it could be chucked up to twaddle.
Lamont, however is an unknown...so it is not nonsense or twaddle to many voters...they are probably wondering..."hmmmm, so what is up with this guy, where does he stand on the issue, why would someone like Hamsher be such a rabid supporter if those are not his views. "
Doesn't make it true. All I am saying is that it raises doubt. As opposed to being merely dismissed as twaddle.
August 11, 2006 6:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
The key question is why do you think the turnout was so low?
I do not think he is racist either. What I think and what I believe many people in urban areas think is that he is not a supporter of blacks and/or unknown.. There is a big difference between someone not being a supporter of blacks and being racist. This is a key point.
Take for instance women issues, there is a difference between a male being a chauvinist pig and simply not supporting women issues. If someone says that he has supported womens issues and voted for them as opposed to the other guy who belongs to the Augusta Golf Club...that does not say the guy 'hates' women. It does paint him as a being part of the 'good ol boy network', though.
Hamsher and individuals who support Lamont who do not understand why her image was so offensive fail to see this distinction. They do not get how painting Lieberman in black face was racist and how the Lieberman flyer pointing out his support of Civil Rights vs. the country club membership was NOT racist.
People who are not supporters or have not demonstrated their support on an issue are basically unknowns. Their views have to be uncovered and shared with voters. For instance, I believe I saw where Lamont was active with the Urban League..that would have been the appropriate counterpoint to the Lieberman flyer...not a minstrel image of Joe.
August 11, 2006 7:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
OK, I see your point, I didn't see it before.
Still, the rsponse WAS to stress Lamont's work with the Urban league, and his work in the Bridgeport school system as a volunteer. I was a "reading buddy" in the Meriden School system, and it makes a big difference to the kids you are involved with, I plan on doing it again when I have more free time.
That goodness got lost in the hullabaloo over Hamsher. FWIW, I did not see the image, nor did I try to look for it. I am not a reader of Hamsher, and that stunt will ensue that I never will be.
Thanks for spelling it out. I really didn't see your point earlier. Not that I agree, but it's a valid point. I think the best way to dispell it is, as you say, to stress the things Lamont has done, not the things an out of state blogger has.
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August 11, 2006 8:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think this response is a bit OTT, but I have to concur that Mr Newberry should not have zero-rated the preceding post. That was bad form.
August 11, 2006 9:21 AM | Reply | Permalink