Is Lieberman defeat the first step in taking back our Party?

[kentuck]

How would it be interpreted? What effect would it have on other Democrats with an "identity" problem? Would they think twice before they go along with the fascists now in power? Or is it always about their "constituency"? Do they always vote with what their supporters want or only at times that they agree with their conservative supporters?

Is anybody in the Democratic Party noticing what is happening? How could it happen to one of the most secure Senators in the Senate? Unfortunately, he was only secure in the general election, when he could play both sides of the fence. He could go on Imus and brag about how "bi-partisan" he was and how he supported the President when he "thought he was right" and get patted on the back by right-wingers for being their "favorite" Democrat and smile like a rat that just ate a large slab of Velveeta.

But, he forgot that there is such a thing as a primary and no one is exempt from the process. His Republican friends cannot save him. He will either stop acting like a Republican or he will find himself working as a lobbyist for his Israeli friends or the Republican Party. Is anyone taking notes?

[Secret Agent]

1. If (big word) Lieberman is defeated, I don't think it will mean much at

all. Because, if the Democratic Party is to be the majority party it will be a "big tent."

Look no further to Virginia, where Democrats are excited at the prospects of James Webb, a former Republican. So, if by "taking back," you are suggesting that the Liebermans and the Webbs are not welcome, then you are not in favor of Dems being the majority party.

[kentuck]

2. Webb is coming to the Democrat side...

...not moving to the Republican side. They are going in opposite directions. I don't buy your analogy.

[Secret Agent]

4. Well, if you are suggesting that Lieberman is moving to the

Republican side, I don't know what else to say.

[BillZBubb]

8. Say something about his kissing Bush!

Or say something about Lieberman's telling people not to criticize the Iraq debacle. Or say something about Lieberman siding with the Repugs on Schiavo. Or say something about Alito and the other RW judges? Etc, etc.

Maybe Lieberman isn't moving to the Repug side, maybe he's always been there.

[applegrove]

9. I agree. There is a difference between a Lieberman voting as a hawk

in the middle east and a Kerry. Kerry has backed down. Lieberman doesn't have that in his person. Dems are either a big tent.. or not. Though individual elections are between the voters and the candidate... trying to clean the Dems of anyone who crosses the line on a few issues..is a recipe for disaster.

Neocons want very much for there to be three parties in the USA.

Cause the moderate party would then win 80% of the time. And things like "health care" and "fair taxes" would never make it to the top of the moderate party's platform.

[Toots]

11. Lieberman and Webb are certainly welcome......by Republicans.

I for one would like them gone just as I am extremely glad Zell Miller is no longer in congress.

[skipos]

3. "Taking back" our party only to remain a minority party isn't enough

We need serious gains in the house and senate.

[kentuck]

5. We shouldn't forget that we had the "minority" Party when we were in...

the Majority the last time? Even when we had 56 Senators on the Democratic side, we seemed to always have 6 or 7 that would always side with the Republicans. Some, like Richard Shelby and Ben Nighthorse Campbell, had the courage to simply switch Parties, while others still clung to their Democratic Party label because it was easier for them to get elected as Democrats in their Districts. There is room in our Party for all different voices but there is no room for traitors.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

6. hear hear to that skipos n/t

[riona]

7. I believe it would

send a message - perhaps to encourage more Progressive candidates in the future. Also, it would enforce the importance of the Internet. However, (speaking as a New England transplant), I get the distinct impression that many people outside of the Northeast would consider his defeat pretty typical of the "Liberal Northeast".

[donsu]

10. no - unrigging the elections is the first step - until then, we lose

nt