Republicans are already set to pounce on Ned Lamont's victory as demonstration that the Dems are weak on security. Ken Mehlman is giving a speech today with just that theme. "You just can't trust these crazy Dems and bloggers with your security, etc."
An eager media is just drooling to amplify this message. They're already at it, as a look at the morning papers will show. Dems face getting their message completely drowned by the shallow, GOP-friendly punditry of the David Broders, the Cokie Robertses, and the Candy Crowleys, and lazy pack journalism coverage by the rest of the gang.
Let's make it clear. Joe Lieberman is not actually strong on security. "Well, I think we should support our Republican president." is not a strong security strategy or a winning message for Democrats. That is why it was so necessary for Lamont to win.
It is time for Dems to follow through and forcefully articulate a clear security strategy and pound Bush, the Republicans, and Lieberman, for failing to protect America. Dems have to beat it into Americans' brains that they are not safe because of Republican failures.
Go after Bush for failing for five years to lock up the loose nukes threat overseas, failing to secure our ports, tying us down in a disaster in Iraq, wasting precious resources on worthless NSA programs designed primarily to expand an intrusive government and reduce the rights of Americans.
Go after Lieberman for the mess and boondoggle at the Department of Homeland Security. He wrote the bill that created it.
The Congressional Dems released a national security strategy earlier this year, but they never talk about it. They offered a resolution to get out of Iraq, but they allowed the Republicans to frame the debate.
It was, "No, this is not cut and run." Not "No permanent bases, no open-ended commitment. Bush doesn't have a plan."
They need to seize the initiative to make security a top Democratic issue and something the Republicans avoid talking about.
Do not shrink from this fight. Embrace it.