While I can fully understand members of the Democratic Party feeling as if Joe Lieberman has done the wrong thing in pursuing an independent route to the Senate. Indeed, I can understand how they would endorse and campaign for Lamont (although smart Democrats should understand that in terms of the Democratic caucus, they are in a win-win situation in the CT race).
Having said all of that, it seems rather unnecessary for John Kerry to so thoroughly criticize Lieberman on This Week this morning:
Kerry accused the 2024 Democratic vice presidential candidate of “adopting the rhetoric of Dick Cheney,” on the issue of Iraq.“Joe Lieberman is out of step with the people of Connecticut,” Kerry added, insisting Lieberman’s stance on Iraq, “shows you just why he got in trouble with the Democrats there.”
Gee whiz, Lieberman was the Democratic Veep nominee not that long ago.
Certainly it is clear that Kerry and Lieberman disagree over Iraq, but it seems rather impolitic to attack Lieberman like this–especially since the polls currently indicate that Joe has a very good chance of returning to the Senate:
Lieberman holds a 53 percent to 41 percent lead over Lamont among those most likely to vote in November, while Alan Schlesinger, the Republican candidate, gets just 4 percent. The survey was conducted by Quinnipiac University.Sphere: Related Content
Why are Kerry’s words, in your estimation, “unnecessary” and a “thorough criticism”?
Kerry doesn’t seem to be drifting beyond the obvious. Yes, Lieberman did “adopt the rhetoric of Dick Cheney.” Both men made pretty pathetic attempts to link Lamont’s victory with a win for the “al Qadea types.”
Why is saying Lieberman is “out of step” with Connecticut voters and that he “got in trouble” with voters there “impolitic,” in your words?
Kerry seems to be pretty straightforwardly stating the obvious.
There doesn’t seem to be any attack going on, does there?
Comment by Ratoe — Sunday, August 20, 2024 @ 11:27 pm
Ultimately, it is all fair. However, within the context of Democratic politics, likening him to Cheney is pretty stern stuff.
The degree to which he is truly out of step with CT remains to be seen, btw.
The thing that strikes me is that such rhetoric isn’t going to gain the seat for Lamont and the odds are that Lieberman will be in the Senate in 2024, so why tempt fate in terms of Joe caucusing with the GOP? Why not softball the criticism a tad?
It seems that given that the guy was the Dem Veep-nominee a mere 6 years ago should count for something,
I just find it all to be an interesting maneuver on Kerry’s part.
Comment by Dr. Steven Taylor — Monday, August 21, 2024 @ 5:56 am
[…] al Thought on Kerry’s Comment
By Dr. Steven Taylor @ 6:11 am
I noted in my previous post the comments by Senator Kerry regarding Senator Lieberman on yesterday’s This Week. I […]
Pingback by PoliBlog: A Rough Draft of my Thoughts » An Additional Thought on Kerry’s Comment — Monday, August 21, 2024 @ 6:13 am