As you can see here, Lieberman has just lost his democratic primary. I’m not sure what to think about that. I think I’m a Lieberman fan, just to be perfectly honest with you before we start. I see this loss more as a matter of a group of annoyed people being able to oust a 3rd-term senator.
As I discussed with some co-workers today, Lieberman should represent his constituents, thats certainly his job. I am not from Connecticut, but I would call Lieberman a good senator, perhaps one of the better senators. In my mind, a great representative is one not subject to a single party or a single agenda. A good representative is one who operates from his feelings or real beliefs on a given issue, not upon some set guidlines as to what is and is not acceptable for a party. But, this comes from a guy who tends to think party-lines are largely arbitrary. Who says you have to be a religious zealot, abortion hater, etc, etc to be a Republican? Who says you have to be pro-labor, pro-civil rights to be a Democrat?
We all are complicated people with complicated views. It’s the job of the politicians to find what is important to us, not our job to believe all that they think is right actually is.
So, some unknown won the democratic primary in Connecticut. If he represents his constituents, so be it. If, on the other hand, it is as it feels to me, some angry people backlashing against their fairly competent and legitimate representative, then this is a sad, sad day. So, you got a guy who theoretically feels as you feel about the Iraq war? What did you lose to gain that? What legitimacy in a modern compromise-necessary government did you foster?
Assuming he wins, he probably will, he’ll represent the far left of the democrats and be largely irrelevant in his coming term. On the other hand, if Lieberman were elected, he’d ride the middle of the road, being a swing vote in virtually every issue, making your state and his vote relevant. You do know how states “get” things right? Oh, I dunno, like that submarine base that wasn’t closed in Connecticut last year?
It’s your choice. I’m glad you did as you pleased and I hope he represents Connecticut’s voters more effectively. I think, unfortunately, you’ve made a mistake for your state and managed to marginalize yourselves in the larger political process.