It's a bit huffy and combative, but it has some very interesting insight into the various power players of the Democratic Party.
Link:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/11/14/122820/27It gives MAJOR props to JK.
Highlights:
John Kerry
One of two rock stars for the campaign. He refused to endorse Joe Lieberman in the primary. He basically made a mockery of Joe by saying he doesn't get involved in contested primaries despite campaigning for Jim Webb against Harris Miller a few days earlier. After we won, he sent out a pair of mildly successful fundraising emails on our behalf. He appeared in the state.
Most importantly, John Kerry was the Senator who spoke most forcefully and publicly about Joe's support of "stay the course" and his Nixonian deception when Joe all of a sudden became a peace candidate in the closing weeks.
Senator Kerry was by far and away the most helpful senator to the campaign.
Senator Edwards
Basically, John Edwards called us up and said he was coming to Connecticut in the days after the primary. There wasn't really even an invitation (to the best of my knowledge). In his speech, he never mentioned Joe Lieberman. When pressed by bloggers about coming back to Connecticut, he said he would. When we asked him directly, he declined.
Hillary had a fundraiser for Ned. She met with Ned personally and that generated a good amount of press. They eventually (after significant prodding) sent out an email to their CT list asking for volunteers down-the-stretch (but Hillary would not have it sent in her name). Pretty good. There was quite a bit of debate inside campaign HQ about what their motivations were.
After asking no less than 5 times, the DSCC eventually sent out an in-state solicitation to volunteers. Again, after tremendous pressure coming from within online communities and leading bloggers. Mike Liddell at the DSCC told me it wasn't being sent because of that pressure, but because it was "the right thing to do." I know Mike. I like Mike. I respect Mike. I'll take him at his word. However, it was unfortunate that he insisted the email go out from the Executive Director of the DSCC and not Chuck Schumer.
This diary, in my opinion, says a great deal about inner-party politics and probable back-room dealing.
Kerry's joke was one instance in which people showed their true colors. Their acts and motivations in the Lamont/Lieberman mess are another. I know Lamont was a long-shot candidate, and I wasn't expecting him to win after he consistently failed to budge in the polls. However, this was all about honor, courage, and doing the right thing. I sincerely hope that the incoming Senators-elect and Congressmen-elect have more honor and courage than these longtime party insiders.