(Crossposted from
My Left Nutmeg.)
In his "manic concession" speech, using a teeth-grinding metaphor that summoned unpleasant memories of his three-way dead heat for third place, Joe Lieberman said we were only at halftime in this "game."
Halftime, hell! It's only 30 seconds after kickoff.
Now, in Joe's universe, which begins and ends with him, it may well look like halftime. But those of us in the Connecticut progressive Democratic movement should realize that Ned Lamont's candidacy is just the first play of a "game" that will be going on for many years.
There is a culture of corruption in Connecticut that needs rooting out from both parties. There are tired old ideas of how to conduct political business as usual that need to be replaced with a new vision that holds the common good in far greater esteem than private gain.
There are corrupt and reactionary Republicans in both state houses who should be replaced with progressive Democrats. And sad to say, there are corrupt and reactionary Democrats in both state houses who should be replaced with progressive Democrats.
There are old-fashioned political hacks cluttering up Democratic Town Committees across the state who need to be replaced by citizen activists who truly care about the quality of life in their communities and who will stand up and serve on principle rather than for the few crumbs the political bosses will throw their way for doing their dirty work and keeping them in power.
Beyond the borders of our great state lies a great nation that is sliding precariously in the wrong direction. We have already set an example in Ned Lamont's primary victory. We now carry the heavy but exhilarating burden of being role models for real American values across the nation. It is our civic duty to make Connecticut an exemplar of what people-powered politics can accomplish.
In the years to come (and it will take years) we have to commit ourselves to building this movement, household by household, block by block, condo development by condo development, town by town. Make no mistake, that will require the kind of hard work and commitment that politicians seldom ask of their constituents. We cannot look to our political officials to show us the way. We must show them the way.
So you see the "game" has just begun. Long after Joe Lieberman has slunk off to the locker room for a cold and lonely shower, we will still be huddling on the gridiron of Connecticut politics (Somebody stop me!) planning the next end run or up-the-middle quarterback sneak.
And always remember, that in this "game" our team will win because we have no fans cheering from the sidelines.
We're all on the field.