As a leader in the House, Tom DeLay was possibly the most partisan of partisans--its how he earned the nickname "The Hammer". Republican primary voters in their districts made a choice that having a seasoned and powerful political insider was better than choosing a new, more ethical representative. They chose hardened partisans over new blood, so the story of this year's election isn't about Democrats choosing partisans and Republicans choosing moderates.
Democratic voters faced similar choices to those of Republican primary voters. Was it better to keep the experienced Lieberman even if he repeatedly sides with policies of a failed President over policies which would benefit his constituents? Was it better to pick a savvy former lobbyist or to pick a former Republican to run for Senate in Virginia? Was it better to keep Cynthia McKinney or go with a less-seasoned Hank Johnson?
The votes are counted and the answers are in. In each instance, the Democratic voters chose a new voice over tired Washington politics. So, what happened Tuesday, and throughout this primary season wasn't a hostile takeover of the Democratic Party by the "far left". The more true and consistent story line is that Democratic voters have rejected politics as usual, while the Republican Party has protected its most vile and corrupt members.
The Republicans have now put themselves in a very vulnerable position. They need to hide this story and quickly. They need to replace reality with an alternate reality, wherein the story is that somehow the Democratic Party has been hijacked by radical leftists. And to do this, they are reportedly trying to pressure vulnerable Democrats to take a stand in the Lieberman-Lamont race.
This strategy is likely to backfire if the DCCC and the DNC are paying any attention to the lay of the land. Because the response of any Democratic candidate should be obvious given that the attempt at a Lieberman-Lamont referendum is once again a projection of the Republicans very own fears. Every Democratic candidate needs to ask their Republican opponent this question: "Where do you stand on the job George Bush is doing for our community?"
Being linked to Ned Lamont is far from toxic, particularly if Democrats rally behind him and enlighten the country on exactly who he is. But at this moment in time, it is clear that being linked to George Bush is toxic. Now its time to force the Republicans to turn their back on this failed President in front of the whole nation.
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