NYT: After watershed primary victory, Lamont struggles in Connecticut

[DeepModem Mom]

For Lieberman, Political Climate Warms to His Favor
By ANNE E. KORNBLUT and JENNIFER MEDINA
Published: October 12, 2006

WASHINGTON, Oct. 11 — Two months after a tumultuous Senate primary that was hailed as a watershed moment in American politics, Senator Joseph I. Lieberman of Connecticut appears to be comfortably ahead of his challenger Ned Lamont in their general election rematch.

Democrats here are convinced that Mr. Lieberman stands a good chance of returning to the Senate as an independent, and many have reassured him that he would not be stripped of his seniority if he wins, according to people in several Senate offices, who were granted anonymity to speak of the sensitive situation amid an intense political climate.

Meanwhile, Mr. Lamont, the Democratic nominee, failed to pick up significant momentum early on and has not maintained the level of national excitement that his long-shot candidacy first drew when he roared to victory in the August primary. He pumped another $2 million into his campaign on Tuesday, bringing his total personal contribution to $6 million since the primary, and $10 million over all. And a new poll released on Wednesday showed Mr. Lamont behind by eight points.

Viewed by both parties as basically a battle between two Democrats, with a little-known Republican trailing badly in the polls, the race has become little more than a footnote overshadowed by the national struggle over control of Congress in a midterm season punctuated by scandal. Mr. Lamont is by no means out of the running, but he is not dominating the agenda of the campaign season nationally as he seemed poised to do this summer.

Three debates, scheduled for Oct. 16, 19 and 23, will provide the Republican, Alan Schlesinger, his first real chance to speak to voters statewide. If Mr. Schlesinger draws even 15 percent of the vote, strategists said, that could be a critical advantage for Mr. Lamont....

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/12/nyregion/12conn.html

(Maybe Democrats should contribute to Schlesinger's campaign, as Republicans have contributed to Lieberman?)

[1932]

1. Don't let the NYT be the lens through which you see this race

Lamont was and is coming from behind in this race. But he's on pace to win.

[DeepModem Mom]

3. They did endorse Lamont in an eloquent editorial -- and I thought...

this assessment wasn't so bad.

[1932]

8. Their editorial page and their reporting is like night and day

I read a book about a year ago on the New York Times's foreign coverage which made that point, IIRC.

The book's argument was that the Times is neoliberal to the bone and supports every open market initiative around the world, no matter how antithetical they are to democracy or how much they come through force. They chronicled the mistakes the paper made and the lies they've told for almost 100 years all over the world. I think they said that the editorial page sometimes gets it right (however, they did support the fascist coup in Venezuela in 2002). But the reporting almost never gets it right.

There's also a really good book about African new coverage, Hearts of Darkness, which also chronicles the NYT's bad coverage of African news.

[DeepModem Mom]

10. True -- there's definitely separation there. nt

[Kagemusha]

2. Looks like the DU'ers who wanted less attention on this race got their way

I hope it all works out in the end but, hey, careful what you wish for... and hey, some things are worth wishing for. To me, Lieb's defeat is worth that wish.

[stopbush]

4. We Dems are much better off than we were when Ned won the primary.

If Lamont/Lieberman was the only thing we were talking about these days, we'd be headed for defeat, even if Ned won CT.

8 points is hardly insurmountable.

[filer]

5. Am I missing something?

Albeit from a distant location, I can't understand Connecticut Dems supporting the loser in their state's primary. On social issues, Lamont would surely be as progressive as Holy Joe ever was, and on issues concerning this nation's reckless foreign policy, he represents a huge improvement over Lieberman's rubber stamp.

Lamont looks like an attractive progressive Democratic candidate. Why would they abandon our party and vote for an Independent? Is it simply a matter of seniority? If not, then what is it? This Yellow Dog would like to know.

[madfloridian]

6. I was reading one of Tim's posts at Kos today.

Lamont has a strong ground game, and it does not appear Joe has that.

This is not the last time an incumbent will be voted out. I think maybe it is good this happened. Joe is showing he is quite comfortable letting himself be supported by Republicans to show his importance.

It is showing a face of the party that needs to be shown. At least 50 Democrats are still supporting him, still working with him. That's a shame.

So if nothing else we see that to many Democrats and Joe, it is mostly about an agenda, about them. It is best to see that now, as there may be some decisions made after the elections.

[Alacrat]

7. I will be surprised if the repug candidate gets a single vote

I'm sure there will be some straight party voters, but IMO the repugs see Lieberman as one of their own, and most will vote for him, either because he is basically a repug, or out of spite. JMO

[AtomicKitten]

9. they needs boots on the ground to get out the vote

eom