QUOTE
Calm Down, Senator, It's Politics
Helen Ubiņas
March 30, 2006
It started the first day. The day Ned Lamont announced his run for the Democratic Senate nomination, Sen. Joseph Lieberman's campaign put out a blistering press release.
"Attacking Senator Lieberman's character and integrity was a predictable but dishonorable way to begin this campaign," it started. "Mr. Lamont is clearly going to run a very negative and angry campaign where the truth doesn't get in the way."
Can't you imagine the sparks flying as they typed that bad boy? What could Lamont have done to poor Joe?
He called him "Republican Lite."
He said he was "George Bush's favorite Democrat."
Vicious stuff, huh?
I might have put it down as a little hard-charging, let Lamont know he's in for a fight. But then there was this appeal for money that Lieberman's campaign put out Tuesday:
"This campaign is sure to be a tough one; my opponent has not been shy about misrepresenting my record, and has made it clear that to try and build himself up he has no problem trying to tear me down."
Poor Lieberman - finishes last year with $4 million in campaign funds and now he has to solicit to defend himself against meanie Ned Lamont.
Curious about these misrepresentations, I called Lieberman's campaign manager and asked for specifics.
How much time do you have? Sean Smith asked.
All the time he needed, which turned out not to be much.
After two conversations and a night to think about it, Smith sent me a seven-page document titled "What Ned Said."
"A" for effort, but it was pretty unconvincing. I'll spare you the details; here's the digest: Ned Lamont is doing what every challenger going after an incumbent does. He's highlighting the votes, quotes, news items and other tidbits that support his contention that the guy's gotta go. It's called politics.
Anyway, how could anyone expect Lamont to resist tying Lieberman to Bush? Maybe W's "favorite Democrat" is really some good ol' boy back in Midland, but he did plant a big wet one on Lieberman's cheek, and he mentioned Lieberman at least twice in speeches defending the war in Iraq.
Lamont's campaign manager, Tom Swan, said he was surprised at only one thing: that it started so early.
But, he said, a big grin on his face, it shows that they're getting to him, that Lieberman's scared. "And that we're going to win," he said.
There aren't many guarantees in an election, but there are a few: Your opponent will paint you in a less than positive light. They will use anything you've said or done to sway voters. They mean to win, by any means necessary and that includes reminding folks that you've been smooched by the leader of the free world.
Smith says Lieberman's campaign has been put in a corner: If they ignore Lamont's digs, Lieberman gets accused of being out of touch. If they engage, Smith said, he's accused of overreacting.
But the Lieberman campaign isn't engaging, it's whining. And there's another way to counter Lamont.
What strikes me about Lieberman's thin skin is how unnecessary it all is. He's a decent guy with a good record in many areas - someone who can hold his own in any debate about Democratic goals and values.
But unless his campaign strategy is to position himself as a coddled incumbent with an overgrown sense of entitlement, he ought to do just that.
Helen Ubiņas
March 30, 2006
It started the first day. The day Ned Lamont announced his run for the Democratic Senate nomination, Sen. Joseph Lieberman's campaign put out a blistering press release.
"Attacking Senator Lieberman's character and integrity was a predictable but dishonorable way to begin this campaign," it started. "Mr. Lamont is clearly going to run a very negative and angry campaign where the truth doesn't get in the way."
Can't you imagine the sparks flying as they typed that bad boy? What could Lamont have done to poor Joe?
He called him "Republican Lite."
He said he was "George Bush's favorite Democrat."
Vicious stuff, huh?
I might have put it down as a little hard-charging, let Lamont know he's in for a fight. But then there was this appeal for money that Lieberman's campaign put out Tuesday:
"This campaign is sure to be a tough one; my opponent has not been shy about misrepresenting my record, and has made it clear that to try and build himself up he has no problem trying to tear me down."
Poor Lieberman - finishes last year with $4 million in campaign funds and now he has to solicit to defend himself against meanie Ned Lamont.
Curious about these misrepresentations, I called Lieberman's campaign manager and asked for specifics.
How much time do you have? Sean Smith asked.
All the time he needed, which turned out not to be much.
After two conversations and a night to think about it, Smith sent me a seven-page document titled "What Ned Said."
"A" for effort, but it was pretty unconvincing. I'll spare you the details; here's the digest: Ned Lamont is doing what every challenger going after an incumbent does. He's highlighting the votes, quotes, news items and other tidbits that support his contention that the guy's gotta go. It's called politics.
Anyway, how could anyone expect Lamont to resist tying Lieberman to Bush? Maybe W's "favorite Democrat" is really some good ol' boy back in Midland, but he did plant a big wet one on Lieberman's cheek, and he mentioned Lieberman at least twice in speeches defending the war in Iraq.
Lamont's campaign manager, Tom Swan, said he was surprised at only one thing: that it started so early.
But, he said, a big grin on his face, it shows that they're getting to him, that Lieberman's scared. "And that we're going to win," he said.
There aren't many guarantees in an election, but there are a few: Your opponent will paint you in a less than positive light. They will use anything you've said or done to sway voters. They mean to win, by any means necessary and that includes reminding folks that you've been smooched by the leader of the free world.
Smith says Lieberman's campaign has been put in a corner: If they ignore Lamont's digs, Lieberman gets accused of being out of touch. If they engage, Smith said, he's accused of overreacting.
But the Lieberman campaign isn't engaging, it's whining. And there's another way to counter Lamont.
What strikes me about Lieberman's thin skin is how unnecessary it all is. He's a decent guy with a good record in many areas - someone who can hold his own in any debate about Democratic goals and values.
But unless his campaign strategy is to position himself as a coddled incumbent with an overgrown sense of entitlement, he ought to do just that.