Lamont v. Lieberman
For Democratic activists around the country, Connecticut’s U.S. Senate primary is not just a local contest between a veteran political figure and an aggressive newcomer; it’s a crucial test of whether the left or the center has more influence in the national party.
Very well then. Let’s proceed in this article, skipping past the quotes from the leader of the Democratic Leadership Committee and Al Gore’s campaign manager, to get a good focus on the “rift”.
But those triumphs didn’t heal the rift. Long term, the debate is largely over social programs: The left says centrists are willing to compromise social spending to win; moderates say the progressives are impractical and too wedded to liberal shibboleths such as welfare or strict affirmative action.
Okay. And what of the present moment?
More recently, the conflict has centered on Iraq. Liberals want troops out of Iraq quickly and according to a clear timetable; moderates say they also want an end to the war, but with a careful and gradual troop withdrawal.
To review. There are three categories being set up here, one of which has skippted past the writer of the Hartford Courant article.
(#1) Liberals want troops out of Iraq quickly and according to a clear timetable.
(#2) Moderates say they also want an end to the war, but with a careful and gradual troop withdrawal.
(#3) Lieberman believes neither.
Interesting dichotemy, that. But then again Lieberman is no moderate. He is a “Centrist”.
Ned Lamont, meanwhile, is a Republican in Democrat’s clothing being supported by left wing loonies, and we already have too many Republicans in Washington* and Lamont represents the death of bi-partisanship. Oh so goes the amalgrem of the Lieberman campaign.
*”already have too many Republicans in Washington” near direct quote from one of Lieberman’s campaign manager. But then again, as is “Left wing loonies” and “death of bi-partisanship”.
By the way, how’s the Chaffee — Laffey race going?
From the Providence Journal June 17:
More than 14,500 Rhode Island Democrats have switched their voter affiliations within the past six months to participate in the Sept. 12 Republican primary, a figure that experts say will probably help incumbent Sen. Lincoln D. Chafee in his campaign against Cranston Mayor Stephen P. Laffey.
Hm.