TIME: Lieberman Lost the Old-Fashioned Way

[IronLionZion]

This better be a lesson to all the usual suspects. And it better be the beginning of the end of the era of pro-Iraq war idiocy.

He was out of touch with voters. And he's not alone. His defeat foreshadows an upheaval to come in November

So who brought Joe Lieberman down? Was it the liberal blogs? Was Lieberman the first political casualty of the Iraq War?

Both. But neither.

Yes, Iraq was the issue that crushed Lieberman in the Democratic party. And the blogs were the vehicle that helped that latent but pervasive disgruntlement among Connecticut Democrats become aware of itself. But Joe Lieberman succumbed to a political ailment (common to long-serving senators) that would have been as recognizable to Daniel Webster and Henry Clay as it was to so many 21st century bloggers: He got his head lost in the clouds of national politics and lost touch with his constituents.

The Lieberman camp says Joe stuck to his guns on Iraq notwithstanding the political perils or the unpopularity of the position in his party. But that doesn't quite cut it. True, he had to know he wasn't winning any points with the broad mass of Democrats around the country. And his embitterment against his party for his ignominious defeat in the 2004 presidential primaries probably made him more willing to court that displeasure. But I don't think Lieberman really understood the peril he was courting back home. Because if he had, he would have been more prepared for it. And he wasn't.

Most politicians keep close tabs on what's happening back home and work assiduously to keep lines of communications open with the political players in their states or districts. They may get into trouble for any number of reasons. But if they're good at what they do, they don't get caught off guard. And no one was more caught unawares by what happened in the last two months than Joe Lieberman.

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1224552,00.html?cnn=yes

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1224552,00.html?cnn=yes">link to TIME article

[villager]

1. the old fashioned way? By honestly counted votes?

I wonder how many more "exceptions" like that one we'll be "allowed...?"

[eleny]

2. Yeah - He earned it!

An homage to John Houseman. :)

[yurbud]

3. Joe forgot he represents voters, not just corporate donors.