I've read them ... all of them. Countless post-mortems about a campaign alive, kicking, and gaining ground daily.
Yes, we relied on some folks post-primary that said they'd talk Joe Lieberman off the ledge. Our bad. Yes, Joe's relentlessly negative campaign controlled message in the traditional press for a few weeks. That time has come and gone. The broad electorate is getting the message: Joe Lieberman is part of the problem and a vote for Ned Lamont is a vote to change the course at home, and abroad.
But unless you are in CT, and specifically in our campaign HQ, here's a few things you haven't seen...
Update [2006-10-11 0:6:38 by ttagaris]: New Hartford Courant / UConn poll shows the gap closing to eight points, and as little as seven among likely voters.
Events on the ground still have that carnival-like feel to them -- and getting larger. Here's a trio of photos from gatherings in the last week alone. And guess what... the kiss float is set to ride again!
Wes Clark Rally Last Friday
Sunday in East Haven
Last Night in New Haven
Polls
We aren't down twenty. I am not going to get into specifics. You can try, but I won't. However, our internals and local Dem. candidate internals show a much closer race. Down still, yes. But a lot closer than some of the bad news floating around the Internets. Joe's numbers show it as well, that's why they keep saying they expect the gap to close.
And yes, the numbers are moving in our direction lately. That's the best sign of them all. For two months, Joe blanketed the airwaves with constant attack ad after attack ad -- running a relentlessly mean-spirited campaign. That's fine. If you're going to give a little, he better expect to get a little in return (more on that soon). The good news here is that we are now approaching parity in terms of points on TV and radio.
The Promise
I'd be remiss if I didn't include our latest television ad in this entry as well. It's basically Joe Lieberman making the case against his own re-election campaign. Here's an email Ned sent out this afternoon.
It's a major reason for the erosion of public trust in government and part of the problem in Washington, D.C.:
Politicians who will say anything in the pursuit of power, regardless of promises, pledges and the facts about their own public record.
When Joe Lieberman first ran for Senate, he won by running a relentlessly negative campaign and attacking his opponents absenteeism. In fact Joe pledged not to "miss three hundred votes," and not to have "one of the worst voting records in the Senate."
He's done both.
Watch our new TV ad and forward it to your friends.
http://www.nedlamont.com/missedvotes
It's not just campaign pledges either. He repeatedly distorts his own record, regardless of how public it might be.
In the past week alone, he has distorted him own statements on protecting Dennis Hastert in the child predator scandal, his involvement in selling the Iraq/nuclear weapons claim, and the consideration he gave to privatizing Social Security.
All of that in just one week's worth of focus-group tested soundbytes.
Imagine what will happen when he gets a full hour on a national stage. With the debates coming up, expect Joe Lieberman to say anything in order to hold onto his seat, facts not withstanding.
Watch the ad and let your friends know what they can expect.
http://www.nedlamont.com/missedvotes
You deserve a Senator who will say what he means and mean what he says.
I won't run from campaign promises and pledges if I am honored enough to seek re-election in six years. I'll proudly stand up and defend my record of putting the people of Connecticut first. And if I make mistakes in judgement along the way, I'll take responsibility for my errors and change the course.
There's no shame in getting it right.
It's called consistency and integrity. And the American people deserve nothing else from those who create laws.
That's the kind of Senator I'll be -- one you can be proud of.
Rock the boat,
Ned
So that's where we're at. Less than one month to go. You also have to keep a few other pieces in mind: 1.) Joe ballot position is TERRIBLE. Many Republicans are going to walk into the booth and see the (R) next to someone's name for the first time and think, "oh, I had no idea there was a Republican running." 2.) We have a field campaign. Joe has none. We have targeting. Joe has none. Joe couldn't fill a room with more than 50 people unless they were looking to buy influence. We send out a quick local email call for volunteers and pack phone banks. That's going to be worth some points on election day as well.
So, believe it or not, today I feel like we have momentum. Sure, it's a roller coaster. Sure, you can believe I am spinning you. But I'm not. That's honestly how the folks feel at campaign headquarters.