We've been following this campaign all over the country. A few have their fingers on the pulse in Connecticut, most of us don't. In fact, I'm betting most of us only know what we read here. Many of us, myself included, are emotionally involved in a candidate we know little of, because he represents something bigger--a party united, another check on the executive, a second chance to defeat Bush. Whatever the reason, don't forget to hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.
Lucky for us, worst case scenario is a Lieberman victory and cruise to re-election as a Dem from CT. He will continue to infuriate us and frustrate the Democratic Party by providing cover for Bush on a number of issues, not just Iraq...but maybe, just maybe, he will learn something from eeking out a close victory. Not only that, but even if he wins tomorrow and the entire community is in mourning...remember that there are worse senators than Joseph Lieberman. For instance, there's Jim Talent, Rick Santorum, Conrad Burns, etc...all of whom are currently trailing their Democratic challenger. We have a real shot at taking the senate, and failing that at least gaining 3-5 seats, making it much harder for the GOP to put together 60 cloture votes (even counting the traitorous Lieberman).
So, why am I rambling on about a potential Lamont loss? Two reasons, hand in hand. One, as our dear friend Joe is fond of pointing out in defense of his indy bid, primary turnout is low. We don't know who is voting, but Joe has been a senator for 18 years now, and there's no way he's getting blown out. This election will be close, and close elections can break either way. Two, I remember how it felt after the '04 elections...having such high expectations for America to have a glorious revelation and tectonic act of democracy, only to see the status quo supported and reinforced, made me depressed for weeks. I don't want that to happen again. Luckily, this time, the stakes are lower. A loss in this battle doesn't mean we've lost the war, and if anything we've ALREADY shown a growing influence that goes beyond small dollar donation fundraising...beyond anything that happened during the spectacle of the '04 presidential campaign.
It is only a matter of time before we reshape the Democratic party, and through it, America and the world. Is today a day of progress? Connecticut, we are watching.