Next Tuesday is my 26th birthday, which happens to be the same day of the surprising primary contest between Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman and his opponent, Ned Lamont. I don't ask much for my birthday, but nothing would please me more than the end of Joseph Lieberman's tenure as Senator. And, a victory by Lamont could be a great birthday gift for me.
Listen, I live in Chicago, so I don't know first hand the pain most Connecticut residents are feeling from the tenure of Bush's favorite Democrat, but I do know this, Senator Lieberman is the definition of what has been troubling the Democrats for the last decade or so.
Lieberman and Bush are alike in some instances, both were born in Connecticut and both seduce voters with a faux folksy attitude.
In the case of President Bush, it's talking with a very bad Texas accent. And, in the case of Senator Lieberman, it's being a stooge for business interests while at the same time being the Public's unofficial guardian for moral decency.
The infamous kiss between President Bush and Senator Lieberman sent chills down my spine. Is there something more to their relationship that we're led to believe, or is Senator Lieberman's head so far up Mr. Bush's ass that his willing to both expunge what he had for breakfast earlier in the day and give him a kiss and tell the Commander-in-Chief that it's okay?
Expunge is a harsh word, but it got me thinking about Mr. Lieberman's role as the public's unofficial guardian for moral decency.
You see, Mr. Lieberman uses his power to curtail sex and violence in video games. Forget about the fact that American soldiers' heads are being blown off in Iraq, what about the violence in Mortal Kombat?
Senator Lieberman is one of many things that has gone wrong for the Democrats. For starters, he was the chairman of the DLC, or New Democrat movement. A organization of Democrats which describes itself as "moderate and pro-growth". In the real world, the best way to describe this Democrats is, "Republican Lite."
According to an article in the latest edition of Rolling Stone magazine, Senator Lieberman sponsored bill that limited auto insurance suits by permitting the offering of lower rates to consumers who forfeited their right to sue. The article went on to say that he has fought for similar anti-lawsuit laws for tobacco, HMO's, and pharmaceutical companies.
That's our Joe, helping poor, suffering coporations, one at a time.
But what it gets even damaging for Sen. Lieberman.
He once supported a bill denying funding to public schools that counseled suicidal teens that it is OK to be gay. According to that same Rolling Stone article, this coming from the man who once said in response to the Enron scandal, "that Government will never be able to legislate or regulate morals."
Seems like the theme around here. Legislating and regulating morality.
To go back to the traditional, Progressive values of the Democratic party, this modern version of the Democrats must rid itself of the pompous and stale politicians of the New Democrat Movement. Voting Lieberman out of office would be a huge coup, because it would send a message that the New Democrat Movement's stranglehold on the Democratic party is starting to loosen.
Then, you might ask who will be line to take Lieberman's place as Bush's favorite Democrat?
I nominate one of the Nelsons, particularly, Senator Ben Nelson of Nebraska.
The Lieberman camp and his Conservative acolytes are trying to marginalize Ned Lamont as some Commie pinko who is siding with the Liberal jihadists from the blogosophere.
No, it's the fact that Lieberman has sided with an administration, who's policies have put this country at the point of no return. Seemingly, the same theme of the New Democrat movement.
During the debate, Ned Lamont seemed focused, sharp and crisp, while, Sen. Lieberman seemed to be reliant on the Republican Talking points memo.
Not surprising, considering Lieberman has expressed interest in running as an Independent if he loses to Lamont. Oblivious to whatever loyalties he had to the Democrats.
Nothing could save Lieberman now, not even his faux folksy attitude or kind demeanor. His allegiance to "the decider" will eventually do him in. And, will be the beginning of the end of the New Democrat Movement.