The Lieberman Question
"The Lieberman Question" or "What do you do when your friend tries to rebel?"
It's no secret that many Senators, including Senator Bayh, are good friends with Senator Lieberman. Because of this friendship it is only right to expect that they would back him during his current primary battle with Ned Lamont. It's a matter of being loyal to your friend during his primary campaign.
But what if Lieberman loses the primary and then goes and tries to run for the seat as an Independent? Where should loyalties lie? Should they stay with the friend who is not rebelling against the system or should they stay with the party who has selected someone else as the standard bearer?
In my opinion the loyalties MUST remain with the party, the general public and the person they've selected to be their candidate. To do otherwise would be to completely undermine the primary system for selecting candidates.
I wish Joe Lieberman the best and I support his candidacy. But like any good Democrat, after the primary votes are counted we must rally around that candidate regardless of our personal loyalties. That is what the primary system is all about. Any true friends Joe has should be taking him aside and telling him as much. "Joe, I love you man, but this run as an Independent is just crazytalk. I'm sorry but I have to respect the wishes of the electorate and support whoever wins the primary." If they not saying it now, it's probably out of respect for Lieberman. But if he tries to play the sore-loser and run as an Independent, don't expect that to carry over.
It's no secret that many Senators, including Senator Bayh, are good friends with Senator Lieberman. Because of this friendship it is only right to expect that they would back him during his current primary battle with Ned Lamont. It's a matter of being loyal to your friend during his primary campaign.
But what if Lieberman loses the primary and then goes and tries to run for the seat as an Independent? Where should loyalties lie? Should they stay with the friend who is not rebelling against the system or should they stay with the party who has selected someone else as the standard bearer?
In my opinion the loyalties MUST remain with the party, the general public and the person they've selected to be their candidate. To do otherwise would be to completely undermine the primary system for selecting candidates.
I wish Joe Lieberman the best and I support his candidacy. But like any good Democrat, after the primary votes are counted we must rally around that candidate regardless of our personal loyalties. That is what the primary system is all about. Any true friends Joe has should be taking him aside and telling him as much. "Joe, I love you man, but this run as an Independent is just crazytalk. I'm sorry but I have to respect the wishes of the electorate and support whoever wins the primary." If they not saying it now, it's probably out of respect for Lieberman. But if he tries to play the sore-loser and run as an Independent, don't expect that to carry over.
posted by Rob @ 7/07/2006 12:30:00 PM
8 Comments:
At July 11, 2006 3:28 PM,
Anonymous said…
I agree Rob, nice post. I posted something similar on my blog.
Keep up the great work. Indiana bloggers unite. ;)
At July 29, 2006 3:36 AM,
Matt Brown said…
I've always admired Lieberman. It's a shame to see so many fellow Democrats - especially the Kossacks - filled with glee at the thought that he may not win another 6 years in the Senate.
At August 03, 2006 1:36 AM,
Anonymous said…
If Sen. Bayh wants my vote:
Simple..Lieberman was wrong on the WAR" He still doesn't get it.
1. Don't Run Republican Lite.
2. I've seen how conservatives run the Country. I want none of, that.
3. If you think tax cuts for the rich make good economic sense...stay in Indiana.
4. If you think the Iraq War was a good and honorable endeavor, and made us safer...you must live on another planet.
5. If you think the Bush Presidency is honest/truthful..Don't run for President as a Democrat.
6. I find it humorous that Bayh wants to talk about fuel alternatives..kinda late?
7. Indiana Democrats sure sound like Republicans, to me. My son has now done 3 tours in Iraq. Do you think he can come home before he gets killed for nothing! Everytime I hear one of you say you support the troops..I just want to puke! Such Bullshit!
At August 03, 2006 3:21 AM,
Rob said…
1. Just because I don't believe all the samethings you do doesn't mean I'm "Republican Lite." I'm a moderate. So is most of the country.
2. We're in agreement here. I don't want Conservatives running the country either. I want someone who will speak for all Americans, not just the left or the right, the liberal or the conservative.
3. I'm not sure you got the idea that I'm in favor of cutting taxes for only the rich, or Sen Bayh for that matter. Sen Bayh opposes the Estate Tax because it unduly punishes people like small business owners and farmers. However, Sen Bayh voted against the Estate Tax repeal because it was fiscally irresponsible.
4. I've never said the Iraq war was a "good and honorable endeavor" not that it made us safer... and neither has Senator Bayh. Sen Bayh has made it clear that it was a mistake to vote in favor of the IWR and personally I was against it from the start.
5. Personally I think President Bush has been one of the most secretive and manipulative presidencies in history. I can't say that he's outright lied, but he certainly hasn't told all of the truth.
6. Sen Bayh has been talking about fuel alternatives since he was Governor of Indiana.
7. Yet again, if you don't think like me, you must be a Republican. How is that different from the Republicans "If you're not for us, you're against us" mentality?
And for the record, I was an officer in the Army and I've had many friends over in Iraq and Afghanistan. I would love for my friends and your son to come home safe. But I am not willing to sacrafice safety for my friends in the short-term for the chaos a full pull-out would cause in the long-term. Like it or not, We as Americans created that mess over there and it is our responsibilty to try to fix it. If we leave now and Iraq falls to chaos and a new regime (or complete anarchy) reigns that allows terrorism to flourish, the whole world won't be safe.
I would love nothing more for their mission to be complete over there and it completely sickens me that this administration is so frackin' incompetent at completing it. We need someone to get the job done and get the hell out. We don't need someone who is in denial that something is wrong and we don't need someone who is just going up and leave Iraq to descend into chaos.
Finally if you're so proud of your opinion, you shouldn't attack someone and then hide behind "Anonymous". It reeks of cowardice.
At August 03, 2006 7:13 PM,
Anonymous said…
There are 3 buttons. I don't print my name because I don't want, too.
You only printed, ROB. You must be a coward, too.
As for the War..You don't think its
a place of chaos, now?
Here's my prediction:
1. We will leave when they figure out how to convince people like you we won. That shouldn't take much.
2. It will continue to be a place of chaos, and will be much worse than it was before we started this mess.
I'm a nam vet...officers mean nothing to me. I never met one that did any actual fighting and lived. They never walked point, and there were always 10 to 15
grunts in front of them when the shit started. Fuck You, Mr. Officer.
PS. Don't say the War is wrong, but we have to stay because we fucked it up so bad.
At August 04, 2006 2:34 PM,
Rob said…
I bow to your superior debating skills... You're obviously MUCH more skilled than I am.
I voluntarily joined the Army and gave years of service to my country. For you to degrade that service shows just how petty of a person you are.
I'm going on vacation with my family. I hope your hate keeps you warm at night.
Tschuss!
At August 05, 2006 2:14 PM,
Anonymous said…
Well good for You, Rob! I think your an example of what's wrong with the Military.
The Brass should be telling the American People the truth...Iraq and the Middle East is a losing cause, and our sons/daughters are dieing so the Republican Party doesn't have to admit that they are incapable of telling the truth, or governing this nation without blowing the neo-right.
My son has done his 4 years, and is forced to stay in due to stop gap.
If we're in such immient danger...why isn't the draft being used to fill these gaps.
As far as hate, Rob? There are a lot of people out there who feel the same way I do, and my background might suprise, you.
Your making more us everyday. You claim the middle ground, but in reality support the people who have put us here by claiming your a moderate. Moderate..means you follow whomever is in power. You do nothing.
At August 14, 2006 4:28 PM,
Anonymous said…
ANONYMOUS,
I have to say with the latest polls of Liberman ahead as a Independent I am very happy.
I consider myself 'Republican lite' or a moderate. Classify you how you will. I don't like Bush, I am a registered Republican and I didn't vote for Bush 2nd time around but I didn't vote Kerry either. This point made feel free to change my 'R-lite' to anything you wish you PRIDEFUL VET!
I've always hated 'support the troops' because either you support their work or you don't and if you do support the troops. well you support the war too!
I'm not sure I agree the war was wrong, conversely I don't believe it was right, but it happened by the powers that be and now we have to make a decision (this is where I get back to the post) Liberman was one of many DEMs who supported the WAR, who voted to give BUSH the ok. Liberman has stood by Bush like a man with character would do. When, at home, war sounded bad and Bush's ratings drop all the Liberals jumped ship. Not Liberman. Liberman knows that a cut and run does nothing.
I agree that if we were to cut and run ANON, you would be right, but you are wrong. Iraq is our modern day Japan, or Germany take your pic. In 25 years this will be a great nation!
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