by TChris

Ralph Reed, darling of the Christian extremists, was unable to overcome the stink of his cozy relationship with Jack Abramoff in his first bid for public office. Reed conceded defeat in yesterday's Republican primary, ending his quest to become Georgia's lieutenant governor. More on Reed's failed candidacy here, here, and here.

You'll notice today a new ad on TalkLeft, one that's been here before. It will be up for the next month, through the August 7 Colorado primary. Colorado has three great Democrats running for the open seat in the 7th Congressional District, being vacated by Bob Beauprez who is going to challenge Democrat Bill Ritter (a real favorite of mine) for Governor. The race will be one of the most closely watched races in the country. There have been no dirty spats in this race, the three Dems have conducted themselves with integrity and positive campaigning.

But click on Peggy's video, hear her message and watch her. I've spent a few hours with her here and there over the last year and I believe she means what she says and she's very strong. She's doing well in the polls, has high name recognition and knows how to talk to people.

Get to know her, and see what you think. You can read my short interview with her here.

Bump and Update: Congrats to Colorado's Bill Winter who was announced as the winner today.

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original post: 7/10/06
Last Day for MapChanger Voting - Help Bill Winter

Today is the last day to vote for your favorite candidate to win Gov. Mark Warner's map changer contest. The winning candidate gets a campaign fundraiser with Gov. Warner.

I recommend Bill Winter of Colorado who will oppose Tom Tancredo. It's really close now, please help. Winter and John Courage are running neck and neck and have joined to ask Gov. Warner to pick them both.

In keeping with his intention of petitioning his way on the ballot if Ned Lamont wins the August 8 Connecticut primary, Joe Lieberman filed papers today to start his own party: Connecticut for Lieberman.

Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz said Lieberman will be able to secure a higher position on the November ballot by creating a new party rather than petitioning his way on as an individual. Bysiewicz said Lieberman would be fifth on the ballot under the new party, compared with eighth or ninth as an individual.

He must collect 7,500 signatures by 4 p.m. Aug. 9, the day after the primary.

(Guest Posted by A Big Tent Democrat)

If Joe Lieberman wins the August 8, 2006 Connecticut Democratic primary, I think all Dems should support him in the November general election. If Lanny Davis believes that Joe Lieberman is the superior candidate, then his activism on behalf of Lieberman is admirable, even though, to the best of my knowledge, Davis is not a Connecticut resident.

I happen to believe that Joe Lieberman is not the best choice for Connecticut Democrats. I believe Ned Lamont is the better choice. I understand that many in what is termed the "Left Blogs" or the Netroots agree with my view. And that some in the Media do not think kindly of the Netroots involvement. That David Brooks flails in ridiculous terms against Netroots involvement in Democratic primaries and in favor of an apparently saintly Lieberman, is not surprising nor troublesome really. After all, he is a Republican.

But when Democrats like Jon Chait object one has to wonder what is going on here. Chait writes today in the LA Times:

Final Update and thoughts: Considering Lamont is the less experienced debater, he did an excellent job. While Lieberman touted his own trustworthiness and experience, and tried to attack Lamont, Lamont came off as fresh-faced and someone who shares our values and would bring a change to Washington. Lamont talked about policies he supports and Bush policies that need to be changed, while Lieberman defended his past votes. Lieberman was on the ropes from the beginning and he stayed there. Lieberman got repetitive and weaker as the hour went on, Lamont got stronger.

Final word goes to C.L., TalkLeft's graphic artist, who e-mailed in: "Lamont was a little bit of the deer caught in the headlights but likeable and solid. Leiberman just seems petulant."

Update 9: Closing statements: Lieberman is reading his, very distracting. Shorter version: I have 18 years of experience, he served on the Greenwich town council a decade or more ago. He offers negativism. Lieberman stops reading and finally speaks from his heart. His voice almost cracks as he asks the people to support him and elect him to another six years.

Lamont says he will fight for our civil liberties, for social security, he'll bring our troops home to the heroes welcome they deserve. People should vote from their hearts. "My name is Ned Lamont and if you approve this message, I could use your support on August 8." Good close.

Sens. Joe Biden, Barbara Boxer and Ken Salazar are headed to CT to help Joe Lieberman in his primary battle against Ned Lamont.

Check out what Jane of Firedoglake has been doing in CT to oppose him, along with a group of dedicated local bloggers and Lamont staffers. Some prime quotes from Jane:

"It's all about [Supreme Court Justice Samuel] Alito for me," she said, referring to Lieberman's vote to prevent a filibuster and allow the right-wing judge's confirmation to proceed. "We're this close" -- she took her hand off the wheel to demonstrate just how close with two fingers -- "to having another judge who will seal our fate for the next 20 years. We can wind up permanently stacked and unable to swing the pendulum back.

"This is a fight for the heart and soul of the Democratic Party," she said, the state police headquarters passing in a blur outside her window. "Are we going to rubber-stamp judges like Alito? Or are we going to say that Republican Lite isn't good enough?"

You go, Jane, we're all following and cheering for you -- and Lamont.

Hillary Clinton has released a statement on Joe Lieberman's announcement yesterday that he will petition his way on the November ballot if he loses the primary to Ned Lamont:

''I've known Joe Lieberman for more than thirty years. I have been pleased to support him in his campaign for re-election, and hope that he is our party's nominee,'' the former first lady said in a statement issued by aides. ''But I want to be clear that I will support the nominee chosen by Connecticut Democrats in their primary,'' the New York Democrat added. ''I believe in the Democratic Party, and I believe we must honor the decisions made by Democratic primary voters.''

....''The challenges before us in 2006 call for a strong, united party, in which we all support and work for the candidates who are selected in the Democratic process,'' Clinton said in her statement of Tuesday.

Good for Hillary, sticking with the Democrats. Jane at Firedoglake said yesterday she'd take this position, as I noted in discussing Lieberman's statement here.

Great headline at the BBC: Lieberman Fights for his Political Life.

The New Haven Independent lists the issues on which Lieberman has sided with Bush instead of the Democrats:

the Iraq war, tax policy, civil liberties, the right to question the president, health care, the recently passed energy bill, and the nominations of right-wing presidential appointees like Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez and Supreme Court nominees John Robers and Samuel Alito.

Lieberman told Harry Reid that if he wins as an Independent, he wants to stay in the Democratic Caucus.

I'm no political strategist, but it sounds to me like Joe is hoping to run as an Independent so he can get Rebublicans to vote for him to make up for the Democrats he loses to Ned Lamont. It's probably his best strategy right now.

Especially with many top Democrats, even Hillary, according to Firedoglake's sources, saying they will support the winner of the Democratic primary.

Update: Lieberman must collect 7,500 signatures by Aug. 9, the day after the Democratic primary in order to run as an "unaffiliated candidate" on the November ballot. Coverage of his announcement: New York Times; CBS; Reuters

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Joe Lieberman is made a major announcement at 1:00 pm ET.

Lieberman is running as a Dem in the primary. But he's having staffers put out petitions in case he loses the primary so he can run as a "petitioning Democrat."

The AP reports here. The Hartford Courant here.

The Washington Post paints a fairly glowing portrait of Karl Rove today. His involvement in PlameGate? No big deal. His position as chief architect of Bush's failed social security revamp? Water under the bridge. Bush's low poll numbers while he was in charge? So what? And no one will remember Harriet Who by 2006.

Now that we have the non-negatives out of the way, here is what uber-strategist Karl is planning for his 2006 election strategy:

He hopes to make the election a choice between the philosophies of the two parties, especially on national security, rather than a referendum on Bush's performance. He also aims to stoke the Republican base with such issues as tax cuts, same-sex marriage and judicial appointments.

Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) spoke at the Massachussetts Democratic Convention last night:

"My vote against this misbegotten war is the best vote I have cast in the United States Senate since I was elected in 1962," Kennedy said. "And my call more than a year ago -- more than a year ago -- to bring our troops home is one of my proudest moments."

Kennedy said the U.S. presence in Iraq "inflames the insurgency. We are a crutch for an Iraqi government that needs to stand on its own."