Is it just me, or has the Lamont-Lieberman general election campaign just transformed itself into the first Democratic primary of the 2008 presidential election? Don't get me wrong, I'm happy that the powers that be are falling all over themselves to support
Ned Lamont, but it seems that a rather curious cast of characters connected by a certain common ambition have really thrust themselves into the forefront of this ongoing melodrama.
Dramatis personae:
Hillary Clinton: Made a splash before the primary by clearly stating that Democrats should support the Democratic nominee (what a concept...) and followed through post-primary with a well-publicized cash donation to Lamont.
Evan Bayh: Got his name in all the early press reports of Lamont's victory with an quick endorsement.
John Edwards: First prominent Democrat to call and congratulate Lamont; campaigned for Ned in Connecticut this past week.
Wesley Clark: Called on Lieberman to drop out on election night, but didn't get much fanfare.
Bill Richardson: First major Democratic elected official to call on Lieberman to step aside.
John Kerry: Among other positive statements, today's fundraising missive.
Russ Feingold: Lots of good stuff.
Am I missing anyone?
In any case, it seems that several of the potential major players in the Democratic field for the 2008 presidential nomination are falling all over themselves to clearly indicate how solidly they support Ned Lamont. Maybe they truly support him, maybe they don't. Some of it is certainly genuine. However, they all recognize that this race presents them a wonderful opportunity for them to curry favor for themselves among the Democratic faithful who inhabit blogs such as this one, the better to advance their 2008 aspirations. All this without much risk to themselves. This is an especially good opportunity for people like Hillary Clinton and Evan Bayh, neither of whom has been a particular favorite among the faithful over here.
Am I just being too cynical? I know Reid, Schumer and Dodd have also made prominent public statements, and they're probably not running in 2008. But they pretty much had to, as Democratic leader, DSCC chair, and as Lieberman's Connecticut co-Senator respectively. It'd be nice if some major Democratic official who was NOT running in 2008 thrust him or herself into this race with as much energy as the above set of individuals.