D-Day for Lieberman

Today is the day Lieberman finds out if he's out of a job. The Washington Post has an article on page A1 with some pretty good analysis of the situation.

Lieberman's plight, according to Democrats here and in Washington, is two stories in one. The first is a metaphor for politics in the era of President Bush and how an unpopular war in Iraq has divided the electorate, inflamed the public debate and intensified an already partisan political climate.

[...]

The other part of the story here is a familiar tale in politics, that of an incumbent who, as he gained national prominence, gradually lost touch with the voters and politicians who first sent him to Washington. Long before Iraq, there were signs of erosion in Lieberman's standing in Connecticut. "There was a personal sense among Connecticut Democrats that his national agenda is what matters to him and not Connecticut," said George Jepsen, a former state party chairman and supporter of antiwar challenger Ned Lamont.

Of course today's election is going to come down to turnout. Will Lieberman supports show up at the polls? Then there's the really big question: The Political Wire reports that "Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-CT) told Fox News that he's likely to go forward with his independent bid if he loses Tuesday's Democratic primary."

For me, this is the height of arrogance.

If, up until that announcement, I had been a Lieberman Supporter, I would have changed my allegiance. How can someone vote for a candidate that has publicly declared, 'if the people, through a democratic election, reject me, I will not heed. I will run again anyway'

Joe has the same problem that the Republicans have - a sense of entitlement to power. He thinks that he's entitled to represent the people of Connecticut even though he no longer represents their position on many important matters.

Joe thinks he's entitled to be a candidate in the November election, even if he loses his party's primary. After all the money and support, he's going to tell Democrats 'thanks, but shove it.' Classy.

Joe truly believes that he's more important than the rest of the Democratic movement, the progressive movement, the people of Connecticut, and that's why people don't want to vote for him.

Some Democrats still resent his 1998 Senate floor speech criticizing President Bill Clinton over the Monica Lewinsky scandal. Others dislike his support for legislation allowing federal courts to intervene in the Terri Schiavo case. Others were offended when Lieberman, who is a strong supporter of women's rights and has the endorsement of NARAL Pro-Choice America, said Catholic hospitals should not be required to offer emergency contraception to rape victims because they can easily go to another hospital.

Joe Lieberman spit on his base to many times and now can't understand why they don't want to give him what he feels he's entitled to.

Joe Lieberman Ned Lamont Connecticut Primary