Disclosure: I worked for the Lamont campaign doing web design and production and some writing for the official blog (from 9/5/06 to 11/07/06).

Monday, July 24, 2006

 

Five Things I Learned

From today's events in Waterbury:

1. Bill Clinton - even a two-hour-late Bill Clinton - is way more popular in Connecticut than a droning-on Joe Lieberman at what David Broder called a "rescue effort disguised as a rally":

Clinton was greeted with cheers louder than Lieberman received from the audience.


2. The popular Bill Clinton thinks Ned Lamont "seems like a perfectly nice man" and that "he's got every right to run and he's waged a vigorous campaign." The beseiged Joe Lieberman, in contrast, has consistantly treated his opponent with disdain, and acted as if Ned has no right to challenge him. Perhaps he could take some pointers in campaigning from the Big Dog.

3. While Joe could use some lessons in campaigning from the ex-president, he seems to have been taking lessons in crowd management from the current one:

Unfortunately, a few Lamont supporters were turned away at the door from the Lieberman event. One, a blogger, reported literally having his ticket ripped out of his hands by a Lieberman staffer. Sad. Earlier in the day, Senator Lieberman held an event a candy store otherwise closed on Mondays. One way to keep the public out, I suppse. Kind of reminds me a President Bush’s highly scripted, invite only events during the 2004 election.


4. The popular Bill Clinton has said he will support the winner of the primary, while the embattled Joe Lieberman says he will bolt the party. And many prominent Connecticut Democrats join Bill in being concerned about the severe damage a Lieberman independent run will do to the Democratic party, as well as privately delighting in what a Lamont win could mean:

Some Democrats, however, said privately Monday that a Lamont primary win could help the other Democrat candidates. They speculated that Lamont could help drive turnout and enthusiasm on Election Day should he defeat Lieberman on Aug. 8.


5. Joe Lieberman had Incumbent Power in Waterbury tonight. But tomorrow he'll be back by himself. Ned Lamont had People Power in Waterbury tonight (YouTube), and that enthusiasm isn't going anywhere. It's only growing.


Comments:
Exactamundo on the last point! Lamont actually craves meeting Connecticut voters and he's doing so with great relish. Lieberman hides from his constituents. Big difference.

Lamont has got it right.
 
Interesting that David Broder uses the word "tenure” in describing Joe's elected position? No wonder Joe is acting the way he is, he must have been shocked to find out his 18 years of service didn’t come with tenure!
 
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