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August 09, 2006
Elections or Ejections?
Do all those who are bemoaning last night's loss by US Senator Joseph Lieberman in the Connecticut Democratic primary also know about the ouster of sitting US Rep. Cynthia McKinney in Georgia's 4th District?
It would seem that the Democratic Party, taken as a whole, acted in two different directions with these elections. Put that in your "wackadoo" pipe and smoke it.
But really, it's not that simple. Many factors played into both outcomes. Joe Lieberman has a solid record on many core Dem values; but he got too close to the Bush administration's neo/theo-con hawkishness. Did anyone watch the 2004 presidential primaries? Joe Lieberman sounded like a Republican most of the time. Can you blame Democrats, even moderate ones, for wanting themselves rid of such a person?
Cynthia McKinney took a swing at a Capitol Police officer, among other transgressions. I used to like Rep. McKinney better: she was a bold black woman with a purpose and a spine, I thought -- unlike so many Democrats. More recently, it seems that she has made some unfortunate choices. Whatever the case, the voters of Georgia's CD-4 have spoken, and rather loudly.
While there are undoubtedly a number of "rationally challenged" folks among those who helped Ned Lamont score his victory, the notion that opposing the invasion and occupation of Iraq is somehow "wacko" is altogether false. Being against a war that was largely unnecessary, was justified by falsehood or at best misinformation, and is contributing to even greater security threats in the region and at home is no fringe psychosis. 'Tis common sense, at least among a growing majority of Americans.
That said, the Democrats also decided that neither did they need "Bush was behind 9/11" talk coming from within their elected ranks, and they acted on that as well.
Maybe with these and a few more strategic purges, the Democratic Party will begin to find a cohesive voice once again. Then again, maybe not.
US House Elections , US Senate Elections | By joe lance | 01:51 PM