Lieberman and Case
Is Ed Case a Lieberman Democrat, and if so, what are the implications of Lieberman’s defeat for Case’s candidacy? Both appear to support Bush’s War in Iraq with only mild protests. Both have supported business-friendly legislation, such as the Bankruptcy Bill seemingly written for the benefit of credit card companies, that Case not only voted for, but co-sponsored. Both appear to be proud of their ability to collaborate with Republicans when it suits them.
However, there may be a difference. Progressives were sufficiently excited by Ned Lamont to drop what they were doing, go to Connecticut, and spend hundreds of hours on conventional political operations in support of Lamont: phone banking, attending rallies, developing “the Kiss” float and taking it around, GOTV, and all the rest. Will progressives get equally excited about Sen. Akaka?
Another difference is that Ned Lamont could campaign on a platform of change, and incumbency was not the benefit for Lieberman that it has usually been. Are we seeing here the first hints of a tidal wave that will be a problem for incumbents in both parties? Of course, in Hawaii, its Akaka who is the incumbent. Some may consider him “guilty by association” with the present congress. From this perspective, Akaka had better get busy painting himself as the outsider protesting against the policy-makers in Washington, and painting Ed Case as a collaborator with the Washington Power structure. In this sense, Akaka’s votes against bad bills may be as important as his votes for good bills. This is not an impossible, and Case is vulnerable to the charge of collaborating with the Washington Power Structure, but Akaka will have to make the case(!) with more vigor than he has demonstrated so far.
Bob Schacht
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i completely agree!! i think we are beginning to see the potential for big, huge change in the make-up of congress. lieberman’s loss is a good example. his reaction, i think is also a good example of those in power wanting to stay in power, no matter that the majority of their consitents think. in essence, lieberman is saying, “i know better than you, more than you, and i don’t have to listen.” he’s saying this to the people who voted for him in previous elections, but he’s also saything this to the democratic party.
its time for us, if we think akaka is the right man for the job (the line at headquarters is “the right man for the job is the man ON the job”) to take what we know out to the streets. we should take every opportunity to press ed case on his positions. if we want to ensure that senator akaka wins the primary, we should do everything can to get the message out.
Comment by frosty — August 10, 2006 @ 10:48 pm