Lamont preparing to shake up his staff - wants to appeal to moderates

[Poiuyt]

Democratic Connecticut Senate candidate Ned Lamont is preparing to "shake up his staff," according to an article slated for the front page of Wednesday's New York Times, RAW STORY has learned.

snip-

"As the newly proclaimed Democratic nominee, Lamont is moving to adopt a general election strategy that attracts more moderate voters, who are crucial to victory in Connecticut elections," the Times reports. "He is also seeking at least two experienced fundraising aides to tap more donors in Connecticut and nationwide, particularly those who are excited by the antiwar message."

snip-

Some Lamont allies have privately expressed disdain for the idea of bringing on any outside consultants, noting that most big-name Democratic consultants had shown little willingness to help Lamont when he was an obscure businessman running a long-shot campaign.

"I don't want to hire any of those big-fee consultant types from Washington who just want to come in and make money off of Ned," Swan said. "We won the primary on Ned's message; we can win the general in a similar way."

more -

http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/NYT_Ned_Lamont_preparing_to_shake_0815.html

I thought he was doing just fine

[eleny]

1. I sure hope he doesn't hire the usual losing suspects

[MadMaddie]

2. Why oh Why do they do this? They have a strategy that works

and then they go and do this bullshit....he apparantly received some moderate votes otherwise he wouldn't have won...Why change a good thing..improve it maybe but don't shake it up so it is completely different....sigh...

[Pale Blue Dot]

5. I agree. I thought that they were doing fine.

Maybe I'm just flush with victory, but I honestly believe that the liberal/progressive message, well-delivered, is the winning message in Connecticut.

[BlooInBloo]

15. Um, why don't you have a lil faith in the guy who, you know...

... CAME BACK FROM 55 POINTS DOWN????

Sheesh. What a bunch of WATB chicken little's we're becoming.

Ned's a smart guy, and an aggressive, strategic thinker. If he thinks it's best to re-arrange some deck-chairs, I think I'll go along with it, rather than what some whiny ass armchair 1000-mile away hacks say.

Support your candidates - stop being so cravenly fearful.

[Pale Blue Dot]

18. Oh, fer chrissake

Your post is a blatant overreaction to mine. I've phone banked for the guy, and I will continue to work for the campaign. My point is legitimate: He came from 55 points down with his current staff, and his current agenda. He is still only down by 5 points among all Connecticut voters, many of whom haven't even heard his arguments on the issues.

I will support him no matter what. I just think that there is very little evidence to support a contention that this is a necessary move.

[BlooInBloo]

19. I hope to god you don't rise any higher than the phone banks then....

The current staff was a staff for a PRIMARY. He seems to now want a staff for a GENERAL. Duh.

(shrug) You're welcome to your opinion of course. Given the choice between Ned's opinion and yours, well, there's really no choice in that, is there?

[madfloridian]

14. Pay attention to the wording of the NYT article.

Those guys are masters of spin. Please see who is directly quoted. See how many "some say" there are in the story.

[MzNov]

3. Moderates?? What about us looney left wingers?

There are no good Democrat moderates these days. I wonder what this means...

[MadMaddie]

7. It means they haven't learned a thing...they want the Right wing

vote....the ones that have just recently turned on the * cabal...

[MzNov]

13. Yep. If we give this party back to "moderates" we lose

the fantastic message that Lamont delivered and made the voters jump for joy. If he goes right, I think I'm giving up..... not that he's such a radical left winger, but if does does a Hillary thing and tries to make everyone happy, it will be a sad sad day indeed....

[rocktivity]

4. This story could be a hit piece

Lamont already HAS the moderates!

:headbang:
rocknation

[countmyvote4real]

9. "Mr. Smith goes inside beltway before he even gets there."

Good point. I hope that you are right.

[Eric J in MN]

6. They should pay the new consultants a minimal salary...

...with a big bonus IF Lamont wins the general election.

I hate the system of giving a consultant millions win-or-lose.

[madfloridian]

8. Moderates like these? See who he is rallying with in VT.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2781834

I fear this is a hit piece.

[madfloridian]

10. Lamont to be in VT with DFA on Friday...rally

He is not about to let "Swanny" go, and that story from the times is a lot of spin I fear.

http://www.blogforamerica.com/archives/008216.html

"Last week Ned Lamont upset the political establishment by winning the Democratic Party's nomination over incumbent Joe Lieberman in Connecticut. This week Ned is coming to Vermont to celebrate with some of his earliest supporters—and you're invited:

http://www.dfalink.com/lamont

Through Democracy for America, you played a major role in Ned's campaign. DFA was one of Lamont's earliest endorsers. Together we raised nearly $100,000 to fuel his people-powered movement. Jim Dean—Howard Dean's brother and the chair of DFA—appeared on Ned's behalf on Meet the Press and Hardball with Chris Matthews. Scores of DFA volunteers from across the country joined the DFA staff in Connecticut in the final get-out-the-vote push.

Today, Ned Lamont is the Democratic nominee for the United States Senate. And Joe Lieberman is embracing Dick Cheney's rhetoric in a desperate attempt to hold onto power.

You can meet Ned, and help Democracy for America change the debate in Washington, by joining Honorary Chairs Patrick Leahy and Bernie Sanders, Vermont Senator Peter Welch and Scudder Parker at a reception for DFA on Friday:

http://www.dfalink.com/lamont

Here are the details:

Friday, August 18, 2006
Main Street Landing at Union Station
One Main Street, Burlington, Vermont
6:00 PM—7:00 PM
Reception Tickets: $50 to "Democracy for America" at the door.
Democracy for America will host a private dinner with Ned Lamont following the reception. Space is limited and reservations are required. For more information please call Dina or Holly at [phone].

Thank you for all that you do,

Tom Hughes
Executive Director

Posted by DFA Staff at 01:10 PM "

[MrSlayer]

11. What exactly constitutes a moderate these days?

I've always considered myself to be moderate but in today's political climate I'm considered a lefty nut, fringe extremist. Just who is Ned looking to attract?

[napi21]

12. I understand your concern, but don't underestimate Ned.

He's been VERY impressive in every response he's had to EVERY reporter, no matter what question they asked him...even the really obnoxious ones! I think you're wrong to try to second guess him. Sit still for a week and watch what happens.

[madfloridian]

16. Don't let the media spin you.

Pay attention to the Times article. Who do they actually quote?

[Drum]

17. .

:popcorn:

[Rageneau]

20. Are Donna Brazille and Bob Shrum available?

How about Susan Estrich?

I hope like hell that Ned isn't falling for this DLC crap. He didn't get where he is by toeing their "appeasement" line. He won't go anywhere farther if he starts now.