Some state(CT) Dems talking up a Lieberman challenge

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=14121431&BRD=985&PAG=461&dept_id=161556&rfi=6

Connecticut Democrats dissatisfied with U.S. Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman want to mount a primary election challenge to the three-term incumbent in 2006 and say they are debating the merits of as many as six alternative candidates.

Tom Swan, executive director of the Connecticut Citizen Action Group and a party insider involved in the insurgency, declined this week to name any of the potential challengers.

"There's a great deal of displeasure with Joe and some of his recent actions," Swan said, referring to the senator's stance on proposed changes to the Social Security system and his support for the confirmations of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice. "But it would be premature at this point to discuss specifics."

Nevertheless, Swan and Nathan Karnes, a member of a Democratic ward committee in New Haven and a leader of a "DumpJoe" message group at Yahoo.com, said those under consideration include current and past state officials and at least two "high-profile" figures from the entertainment industry who live in the state and are politically active.

In article a website is mentioned to pledge money to a Dem who challenges Joe. http://www.timetogojoe.com

[Beetwasher]

1. Sweet! Let's Get A Celeb From CT!!!

Fuck Joe, he's gotta go! That being said, we DO need a viable replacement to take him on in the Primary so we can hold the seat.

[BrklynLiberal]

2. What the Hell has taken them so long??!!

[Blue to the bone]

3. Repig light. n/t

[TheWraith]

17. Gotta be careful.

I don't like Joe, but if you examine his total voting record, he's far better than even the best Republican. If he's going to be challenged, it has to be done right so that we keep the seat.

[WI_DEM]

4. well I hope they can all unite behind one alternative candidate

becuz in a multi-field, Joe would win for sure.

[DODI]

5. Please let it be Toby!!! He was CCAG. I guess my phone calls are

working!

[NewJeffCT]

6. who are the high profile celebs besides Paul Newman?

Newman is 80 years old...and, while he looks great for his age, he's 80.

Who else? Martha Stewart? David Letterman? (I heard he was a Republican, though)

Unless it's a really high profile person, I don't think they have a chance against Lieberman. Toby Moffett is great, but he won't beat Joe, and then would have a tough run against Nancy Johnson, Jodi Rell or Chris Shays.

[Jersey Ginny]

46. Sam Cedar on Air America said Newman was a likely candidate

He said this a few weeks ago and I was very happy. My NJ Senator Lautenberg is 81 and he is going strong and is a great voice for NJ and for everyday Americans. If Newman does not run maybe he'll go on the campaign trail for someone and give that person a real boost.

[JerseygirlCT]

64. The guy's still racing cars... 80 is apparently a state of mind.

[LynneSin]

53. Martha Stewart is a felon

she's out

[NewJeffCT]

54. George Bush had an arrest record when he came into office

so, does being a felon eliminate Martha?

[LynneSin]

61. Only if she's running as a democrat

We'll find an excuse if she wants to run as a republican

[NewJeffCT]

62. youthful indiscretion, of course

If it happened before today, a Republican can write it off as a "youthful indiscretion"

[Toots]

68. Maybe we won't actually have to beat Joe to get him to wake up a bit

He has gone unchallenged too long. He needs to be made aware that not all Democrats are in bed with Bush* and we may want a change. It can be very positive however the Primary turns out. There will be debate...

[woosh]

7. Any speculation on the "high-profile" entertainers?

I have to admit, it's sad we have to resort to this.

[NewJeffCT]

9. It's worked for Republicans...

Reagan is worshipped like a God to them, and Arnold is getting similar reactions from many of them.

Look at how they practically begged a celebrity to run against Obama.

[TheWraith]

19. Evil thoughts.

I've always thought that if by some ludicrous, hundred-million to one shot, they managed to amend the constitution to let Arnold run, we should nominate Martin Sheen to oppose him. I can see the ad campaign already:


Bartlett
Sheen
for
President

Because six years of pretending makes him more qualified than the other guy.

[DODI]

10. CT has Susan St. James, Meryl Streep, Kevin Bacon and Dustin Hoffman

Carol King may still live here (she was at the Kerry Rally that horrid November day)

[woosh]

12. And Letterman

[98geoduck]

32. republican.

[mistertrickster]

37. No way is Letterman a Republican--no effing way. He's too smart.

nt

[woosh]

38. you think so?

[98geoduck]

44. I was so sure I read or heard this, but now can't find evidence.

hmmmmm...but I thought I overheard him during an interview several years ago admitting he was a "conservative". I'll try and find evidence, as for now, I'll have to retract that remark. My bad.

[saracat]

47. Letterman is an independent and he loathes Bush!

[NewJeffCT]

15. Could Streep, Bacon or Hoffman win?

that's the only thing I care about at this time. Newman could win, but he's also on the old side and may not care for the grind of politics at his age.

[woosh]

27. Bacon knows

a LOT of people.

[jayctravis]

39. Six Degrees from anybody.

[zann725]

49. Dustin Hoffman lives in Santa Monica. Does he have a home there?

n/t

[Candide]

52. First I've heard of it!

[JerseygirlCT]

65. Those Litchfield hills hide lots of celebs who live fairly quietly there

I remain skeptical about the odds of actually lining someone up against Lieberman, though. He's so well-entrenched with the money interests in the state. Dems tolerate him, remembering the civil-rights and environmental guy he used to be, and Reps love him, too.

[NewJeffCT]

8. One more thing

The Manchester Journal Inquirer newspaper article above is extremely RW. They could just be stirring up trouble for state Democrats in general.

[placton]

11. It is sad

this guy is the way he is. He is personable, intelligent, obviously a good politician. Too bad he's not a real Democrat.

[Smarmie Doofus]

16. Time to think outside the box. A third party DEM.-IND

could easily defeat Lieberman and a republican challenger in a general election three-way. Don't get locked into a primary challenge ( L may, in fact, win). Find someone who is committed for the long-haul, for November.

In other words, Moffett, or whomever, should announce, then enter both the DEM and Green ( or whatever they have in CT) primaries. If he loses the DEM primary he's still on the ballot and in a position to win if he pursues it seriously.

[NewJeffCT]

28. I think you're wrong

I'd love to see Lieberman go down, but no way Moffett gets more than 25-30% in a primary against Lieberman. 35% if we get high turnout.

I personally think it is a ploy of the RW Journal Inquirer (the paper quoted above) to get liberals excited & donating money to tilting at windmills in trying to defeat Lieberman in a primary. That way, we don't spend money to defeat the very vulnerable Rob Simmons - who barely beat Jim Sullivan, a near novice politically, last time around, despite Simmons outspending Sullivan like 4 or 5 to 1, Simmons running a negative, racially-tinged campaign, and also having the NRA blitz the airwaves the last few days before the election in Simmons' name...

[Smarmie Doofus]

31. But that's my point: Lieberman may indeed...

win a primary against a strong DEM challenger, but he still might be vulnerable in a 3 way race. What's needed is a high profile, quality individual who will commit to staying in through November.

The risk here is that the DEMS will split the vote and a Rep-Cons replaces Lieberman. Normally I would be sympathetic to the idea that a nominal DEM is better than a REP in the senate because of the current minority status of the party. But Lieberman is just sooooooo far out there that I think it's worth taking the risk.

I'm a non-Nutmegger, but I don't think you need republican skulduggery to get DEMS motivated to replace L. He's awful and ridiculous.

[NewJeffCT]

34. Lieberman is polling at 72% among Democrats

and, even higher among moderates.

[Smarmie Doofus]

36. But he's a sort of sacred cow in CT. No one really challenges...

him openly; at least no PROMINENT people... the kind that get press and air time.

That dynamic ( the 72pct. thing) can change rapidly as soon as people become aware of exactly what he's doing in Wash.

[NewJeffCT]

55. I think you'd be surprised

Connecticut is a solidly blue state, but many of our Democrats (and Republicans) are pretty moderate compared to many. Heck, our Republican governor is pushing stem cell research and said she'd sign the civil unions bill into law.

[Tuttle]

56. According to a link here, Lieberdude rates even higher

among repigs in CT

http://www.dumpjoe.com

Tut-tut

[Ian David]

18. 231 pledges totaling $26,090 since 02/28/06

Your Pledges Count
Pledges: 231
Pledged: $26,090.00
Please, tell others!
http://www.timetogojoe.com/


That includes my $250 pledge.


# Boxer Rebellion (Electorial Ballot Count). Joe voted WITH the Republican Majority

# Confirmation Condoleeza Rice (she who lied about 9/11), of California, to be Secretary of State. Joe voted WITH the Republican Majority

# Confirmation Alberto R. Gonzales (he who approved torture and thinks the Geneva Convention is quaint and antiquated) to be Attorney General. Joe voted WITH the Republican Majority

# Senate Bill 5 - Class Actions. Joe voted WITH the Republican Majority

# Confirmation Michael Chertoff, of New Jersey, To Be Secretary of Homeland Security. Joe voted WITH the Republican Majority

# Cloture Motion on Senate Bill 256 - Bankruptcy Bill. Joe voted WITH the Republican Majority

# Senate Bill 256 - Bankruptcy Bill. Not voted on yet.

MAKE THE PLEDGE
http://www.timetogojoe.com/pledge.php

[RamboLiberal]

22. I put in a $25 pledge - I have to save to give to PA Dem

who opposes Santorum! But I'd gladly send $25 to a good Dem challenging Holy Joe.

[Ian David]

23. I meant to pledge $25, but screwed-up. So I'll stick to it and give $250

[saskatoon]

25. The amount of money

The people in charge of raising the money to defeat Leiberman are making a mistake because when you pulldown the amount it is much more than a lot of people can afford, I sure can't afford the least amount that is on there. Get real, a lot of people are out of work or working for peanuts to survive. Make a suggestion yes BUT end up with give what you can. I got damned pissed off the the arbitrary way they it up.

[DODI]

13. Seems the guy who started the site is a newbie DUer

He has a posting in the CT forum. Alas, I am too stupid to link to it.

[DFLforever]

14. There have been rumors for awhile

I hope a challenger actually does step forward to take on Joe and if nothing else expose his positions on crucial issues like SS.

[Lori Price CLG]

20. Goodbye, LieberBush!!

Here is the CLG version of the summary.

Goodbye, LieberBush!! Some state Dems talking up a Lieberman challenge --Connecticut Democrats dissatisfied with U.S. Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman want to mount a primary election challenge to the three-term incumbent in 2006 and say they are debating the merits of as many as six alternative candidates. (*SpongeBob SquarePants* would be a better candidate... At least those who vote for the G.O.P. in Connecticut *know* they are voting for a Republican.) Tom Swan, executive director of the Connecticut Citizen Action Group and a party insider involved in the insurgency, declined this week to name any of the potential challengers.

Lori R. Price
http://www.legitgov.org/

[ronnykmarshall]

21. Here's the yahoo group.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DumpJoe/

[applegrove]

24. Great - you just made the tent smaller!

[BadGimp]

26. I Pledge $500 to the best challenger

EOM

[Anakin Skywalker]

29. Emperor Palpatine Must Go!

[ihelpu2see]

30. Heck Lowell Weiker would be better. I voted for him for Gov.

it was my first election in CT. But in retrospect it was a pretty good choice.

I'm a doctor and like politics. I was thinking of running for state house up here near the Airport but why not I'll consider taking on Joe the repub.

Dr. M

[Smarmie Doofus]

33. I liked Weicker too, though purists here will probably....

gag.

If he's still alive ( he is, isn't he?), I'll back him as an independent against Lieberman and a Republican. Hell, I'll back him if he's dead!

You'll be my second choice.

[ihelpu2see]

42. Thanks, and yes Lowell is alive and makes to much sense. They never have

him on TIC 1080 anymore, because he makes all the current politicians (Rell and Joe) look bad.... I know it was Joe who took Lowell's senate seat from him but Joe is to far gone..... He is a soft repub. and he cant distance himself from that!!!

[kskiska]

45. Wasn't Weicker responsible for the state income tax?

Isn't that why he was voted out? I'm a displaced Nutmegger, having lived most of my life there. I had the impression that Weicker isn't liked much up there.

[DODI]

51. The income tax was necessary. He did the right thing at political cost.

Rowland was voted in on the basis that he would eliminate the income tax -- I'm still paying it, and gladly I might add and Rowland is gone. It is a pretty fair system. People still like Lowell, but I don't think he will run. I would love to see Larson run or Bill Curry.

[NewJeffCT]

57. Larson is good, but he won't challenge Lieberamn

Larson has come up through the hierarchy of Democrats in the state, so he won't rock the boat by challenging Lieberman.

It would have to be somebody other than DeLauro, Larson, Blumenthal or Bysiewicz.

[ihelpu2see]

58. Bysiewicz is running for Gov., Blumenthal has not yet announced for

Gov to my knowledge.... My gut says Blumenthal runs for Senate when Dodd announces his run for Gov.... I think Dodd may be sick of the DC beltway scene.

[NewJeffCT]

59. Dodd

I'd almost prefer to have Lieberman run for governor & Dodd stay in the Senate.

But, Dodd's wife just gave birth to his 2nd child, and his other daughter is pretty young, too. Dodd just won re-election, so he would get to appoint his successor, and I'd imagine it would be Blumenthal.

[JerseygirlCT]

66. He had to. And handed Rowland years of balanced budgets

not to mention surpluses, that he then used to buy himself a solid base of support. And got greedy, causing his own downfall.

Weicker keeps saying he's through with public office. I liked the guy lots, myself. Probably not the one if you're looking for warm fuzzies, but he's smart and outspoken and has integrity.

[Arugula Latte]

35. Maybe if Joe realizes we're after his ass

he'll straighten up and fly right. The bankruptcy vote was good -- I hope it's not a fluke. Probably is though.

I despise that guy. (I know it's not his fault he looks like a frog, but I always picture him darting his tongue out to zap a fly.)

[autorank]

50. Keep despizing...he voted Yes for cloture...stopping the filibuster.

Then it was easy to vote against the bill. His "management" knows that cloture was the key vote and he's just being cosmetic with the No vote on the bill...meaningless. It's an old DC trick. I was fooled until Bluebear burst my bubble. Flies should stay away from ole "zapper" Joe.

[VegasWolf]

40. Good!!! For god's sake, let's get a Democrat this time! n/t

[w4rma]

41. Lieberman's days of stabbing Dems in the back are numbered! (nt)

[VegasWolf]

43. LIEBERMAN is a Democrat!? Really! Shit! n/t

[zann725]

48. If they want a celeb from CT, draft Martha Stewart! She has a home there.

She's a Dem, and she'll kick butt.

And since criminal charges don't seem to be stopping Ken Lay, why should Martha's past come into question?

[PassingFair]

60. I'm holding my funds until a viable candidate emerges.

Then you BET I'll donate to unseat Joe LieberMan-O-War! Then he can take his faith based initiates and run for King of Israel or something. Good luck to him.

[NNN0LHI]

63. I am ABJ. Anyone But Joe! And I will send money to help defeat this...

...war monger too.

Don

[Nothing Without Hope]

67. "Timetogojoe.com"! I love it! Yes, he has GOT to go.

He's Zell Miller with better hair and less screaming insanity. He's aleady smooching the blivet**, he votes straight Repub on the things that really matter. He's got to go.

[zara]

69. Will Joltin Joe Switch Parties?

: )