(cross-posted at Deny My Freedom and Daily Kos)
I think the image above sums up the debate well – Ned Lamont was enthusiastic, while Joe Lieberman tried to smile while secretly wishing that he did not have to be in the same room as his opponent. To say the least, tonight’s debate was a far cry from the sleeper that was Lieberman’s debate against Dick Cheney in the 2000 presidential election. Back then, it was noted how Lieberman hardly took a swipe at the opposing candidate. Today, though, we saw Lieberman showing full well that he knows how to be an attack dog when he wants to. Too bad that, as usual, he saved his vitriol for other Democrats instead of training it on the GOP.
I missed the first 15 minutes of the debate due to mass transit problems, so I may miss something in my evaluation. Lamont came off as a bit unpolished – he hesitated at times, he noticeably looked down at his final statement – but for someone who has never participated at such a high level before, he probably did better than most of us would have. Lamont did not say anything that the blogosphere did not hear, but I think he accomplished his goal of showing that he is not a one-trick pony. When Joe began to interrupt a few times, Ned was able to get in a few good zingers – “This isn’t Fox News” will become a classic – and, in general, Lamont showed himself to be a level-headed person. He hit on good points as to why Lieberman should be opposed besides Iraq – emergency contraception, Social Security, and vouchers to begin with. I feel that Lamont should have emphasized that the teacher’s unions have endorsed him and that he does have the backing of the Connecticut chapter of NOW, just to show that Lieberman is not raking in all the backing of the traditional interest groups. Lamont’s question for Lieberman was a softball; it gave Joe a chance to show just how much pork he’s delivered to Connecticut – but it may also make people wonder why they haven’t seen some of the benefits. Finally, Ned’s closing statement was awesome; his last line playing off those in his ads was simply great.
Joe Lieberman was extremely polished. It was clear that he was trying to fluster Lamont by interrupting him constantly, and he used Ronald Reagan’s “There you go again” refrain repeatedly. To be fair, the incumbent did mention a lot of the pork he’s brought back, and on the question of gas prices, Lieberman issued a more direct response than Lamont did. Outside of that, though, I could’ve sworn I was watching a Republican debating a Democrat…because that’s what I saw Joe doing. Lamont voting with Greenwich Republicans on local issues may be a charge that sounds good, but it’s going to be hard to stick – I would imagine that most primary voters will be aware of local issues and know that they are largely nonpartisan. Additionally, the constant huffing and puffing by Lieberman, his constant interruptions, and his downright rudeness may make people see him in a new light – for the most part, an average person would say that the senator sounds agreeable, if dull. Tonight, he sounded mean-spirited and angry. If there’s one thing that weighs more than it should in elections, it’s how people perceive the politicians to be. Lamont may have looked nervous, but he never acted anywhere as disgraceful as Lieberman did tonight.
Neither candidate was perfect, but I think Joe Lieberman may have lost the public image war tonight. Furthermore, this is not a general election, where GOP voters can be enticed by mean-spirited appeals; nor is it the crowded 2004 Democratic presidential primary, where bomb-throwing was a daily occurrence as things heated up. This is a race between two people. Joe Lieberman may have spoken more smoothly and listed more issues, but Ned Lamont showed he could hold his own, and he showed that this is not just about the war in Iraq. And in the end, that may be all that was needed to push leaners in our direction.