I'm surprised that with the focus on the soon-to-be successful challenge to the Repub...er Green Party Petitions in Pennsylvania there has not been a lot more focus on challenging Joe Lieberman's alleged 18,000 or so signatures (more on the flip)
Before I continue, I will note the only related diary I found on this subject was from politicat which died too quick a death IMO. I've not seen the idea broached anywhere else to my shock and dismay:
http://www.dailykos.com/...
I would have to think that the clock has just begun on challenging his signatures since they were just filed (I'm assuming opposing candidates have this right in Connecticut). If in their haste, the Lieberman operation was sloppy like Pennsylvania, it's not inconceivable that 70% of their signautres are bad as well (which would leave him with 5,400 out of his claimed 18,000). The 18,000 number itself might be inflated by Joementum precisely to discourage the challenging of these petitions.
If signatures are shown to be forgeries, or xeroxes(don't laugh - I've heard cases of this happening), or improperly collected, large numbers can be thrown out with proper analysis and legal work. If he used a pay service (likely) the chance for error multiplies as often mercenaries will take the money and not exactly supply the goods (as Mayor Williams in DC can attest to a few years ago)
Perhaps the reason this hasn't been broached because some are uncomfortable with the notion of getting Joe kicked off through such a challenge. Perhaps you think that it feels dirty. Perhaps you are a proponent of ballot access laws and feel like a hypocrite. I would suggest that there are compelling reasons why this is right and totally fair to challenge him.
Rules are rules. It's totally unfair for Sore Loserman to get a 2nd bite at the apple, but since Connecticut law allows it, he's gonna dive right into that loophole. It is equally fair for us to fight him on it every step of the way. We aren't doing anything nefarious - we are just making sure he complies with the law. Do you think for a second if Ned had to get on the primary ballots through signatures that Lieberman wouldn't do everything in his power to stop him?!?
When Democrats join the fight and battle to the last, we win a helluva lot of the time (if the Washington State Dems rolled over instead of fighting tooth and nail, Christine Gregoire would not be governor today). Republicans do this out of habit and they beat our brains out and get away with murder.
As I admit above, I am not well versed in Connecticut election law. If someone can enlighten me on the rules and deadlines of challenging 3rd-party signatures in CT I would appreciate it. If there is in fact a coordinated effort by the Lamont campaign to hold Joementum accountable here, I would also like to know more about any way I can be of service to them (I could conceivably make my way to CT on a weekend to analyze signatures first hand - I've actually had occasion to do this in the past and consider myself pretty good at it).
I urge Ned Lamont to hold Joe accountable! Lord knows he hasn't been accountable to anyone for 18-years.
-Mutt