Dems Shy About Whom They Support

You want to know what annoys me more than anything else? Politicians that have no belly for stating where they stand. Joe Lieberman has now left the Democratic Party. He is now actively trying to prevent a Democrat from winning an election the Democrats of Connecticut deputized Lamont to win. Repubicans, including the President, are refusing to endorse their own candidate. Bob Geiger is keeping a list of which Democrats are supporting Lamont and which Democrats are supporting Lieberman.

Here’s the tally:

Democrats supporting Lamont: 20
Democrats supporting Lieberman: 3
Democrats too scared to say: 18

Mark Dayton and Paul Sarbanes are not include in Bob’s list, presumably because they are retiring. The three Democrats that are backing Lieberman are Mark Pryor, Ken Salazar, and Tom Carper. Daniel Inouye has indicated that he will support Lieberman, but that is not locked down. The 18 gutless Democrats are listed below the fold. I encourage you to contact each of them and ask them to make a public display of support for Ned Lamont.

As for Tom Carper, that DLC loving Senator may have just earned himself a primary challenge of his very own.

Max Baucus (MT) 202-224-2651

Web Form:
http://baucus.senate.gov/contact/emailForm.cfm?subj=issue

Jeff Bingaman (NM) 202-224-5521

E-mail: senator_bingaman@bingaman.senate.gov

Robert Byrd (WV) 202-224-3954

Web Form:
http://byrd.senate.gov/byrd_email.html

Kent Conrad (ND) 202-224-2043

Web Form:
http://conrad.senate.gov/webform.html

Byron Dorgan (ND) 202-224-2551

E-mail:
senator@dorgan.senate.gov

Dianne Feinstein (CA) 202-224-3841

Web Form:
http://feinstein.senate.gov/email.html

Daniel Inouye (HI) 202-224-3934

Web Form:
http://inouye.senate.gov/abtform.html

Tim Johnson (SD) 202-224-5842

Web Form:
http://johnson.senate.gov/emailform.cfm

Herb Kohl (WI) 202-224-5653

Web Form:
http://kohl.senate.gov/gen_contact.html

Mary Landrieu (LA) 202-224-5824

Web Form:
http://landrieu.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm

Patrick Leahy (VT) 202-224-4242

E-mail: senator_leahy@leahy.senate.gov

Carl Levin (MI) 202-224-6221

Web Form:
http://levin.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm

Blanche Lincoln (AR) 202-224-4843

Web Form:
http://lincoln.senate.gov/webform.html

Barbara Mikulski (MD) 202-224-4654

Web Form:
http://mikulski.senate.gov/mailform.html

Patty Murray (WA) 202-224-2621

Web Form:
http://murray.senate.gov/email/index.cfm

Ben Nelson (NE) 202-224-6551

Web Form:
http://bennelson.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm

Bill Nelson (FL) 202-224-5274

Web Form:
http://billnelson.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm

John Rockefeller (WV) 202-224-6472

Web Form:
http://rockefeller.senate.gov/services/email.cfm

12 Comments

Steven D on August 15, 2006 at 5:37 pm

For a change neither of my Senators is on the bad list. For which I’m grateful.

alohaleezy on August 15, 2006 at 6:02 pm

I just wrote to DiFI and urged her to publicly support Mr. Lamont or she may just find herself in a very similar position. Does this mean Boxer is now supporting Lamont? I ask because she was campaigning for Lieberman prior to the vote.

Del C on August 15, 2006 at 6:17 pm

Apparently she offered the Lamont campaign her support after he won the Democratic nomination.

http://www.google.com/search?q=barbara-boxer+support+lamont

Which is just how it should be.
- Real History Lisa on August 15, 2006 at 7:58 pm
  
  Oh dang – just fired her off a note. Wish I had read the comments first!
  - Real History Lisa on August 15, 2006 at 7:58 pm
    
    (Not dang that she’s supporting Lamont! Dang that I wrote her on a non-issue.)

DaveW on August 15, 2006 at 6:11 pm

All pretty predictable except Leahy and Levin. Feinstein should have come as a surprise but, sadly enough, does not.

I think most of these are holding their fire out of courtesy to a long-time colleague. That seems like an acceptable position for now. They probably think Lieberman will come to his senses soon and spare them from having to openly oppose him. As the campaign season wears on, keeping mum on a candidate who is the new darling of bushies everywhere will no longer be viable.

Street Kid on August 15, 2006 at 7:01 pm

Actually, I would have been shocked if Levin did oppose him. That man is so pro-Israel, it is pathetic. IMO, not even worth contacting.

Heart of the Rockies on August 15, 2006 at 6:55 pm

We wrote Salazar a pretty strong note of disfavour and told him we didn’t care who his friends are (Lieberman and Gonzales). That we expect him to respect the voters of CT, his Colorado constituents, the democratic process and the Democratic Party.

northcountry on August 15, 2006 at 7:27 pm

I remember when he first ran he was pumped to no end at DailyKos.

Captain Future on August 15, 2006 at 8:25 pm

Senator Feinstein has heard from me on this issue. I expect her announcement shortly.

JanetT in MD on August 15, 2006 at 11:28 pm

I’ve written a letter to Senator Mikulski on this issue. Usually she’s been pretty solid on things for us (we’ve been pretty lucky in Maryland in our Senators, most of the time), so I’m hoping she (and Senator Sarbanes) will respect the choice of Connecticut Dem voters here.

We’re having a primary in Maryland in September — for Senator Sarbanes’ open seat. We’ve got some good candidates — but only one can win. And the party must support whichever of the Democratic candidates comes out on top, whether that’s Mfume, Cardin, Lichtman or whoever. Otherwise, why have primaries at all? If the Democratic Party cannot respect the choice of its own members, how can they expect those same voters to support them?

Lieberman’s actions in running as an independent are totally self-centered and petty, and could potentially do considerable damage to the credibility of the Democratic Party and the entire primary election system. A great message to send a state that just had the biggest voter turnout for a primary in years… or any other state, for that matter.

BooMan on August 16, 2006 at 1:36 am

Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) supports Lamont says
Howard Gantman, Feinstein’s Communications Director. “I support the
Democratic nominee — Ned Lamont,” says Feinstein, according to Gantman.

Patrick Morris, of Senator Herb Kohl’s (D-WI) press office, had
much more to say, which was a refreshing change compared to some other
statements. “Senator Kohl has known and worked with Senator Lieberman
for a long time, and respects his principled stands and commitment to
public service,” said Morris. “However, the voters of Connecticut have
clearly chosen Ned Lamont to represent the Democratic Party this
election year, and Senator Kohl honors their choice and will support
their nominee this fall.”

Patrick Leahy’s (D-VT) Chief of Staff, Ed Pagano, confirms
Leahy’s support for Lamont, saying simply “Senator Leahy is supporting
Ned Lamont.”

While I have not yet heard back from Alex Glass, Communications
Director for Patty Murray (D-WA), Dan Savage, editor of Seattle
newspaper The Stranger, has confirmation from Glass. “Senator Murray
will be supporting the Democratic nominee, Ned Lamont,” Glass is
reported as saying.

Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) checks in via Communications Director
Wendy Morigi, who says “I am confirming for you that Senator
Rockefeller is supporting Ned Lamont’s candidacy in Connecticut.”

But let’s look at the Democratic Senators in our new category, which
I’m calling “firm about not being firm” when it comes to the
interesting situation in Connecticut.

Drey Samuelson, Chief of Staff for Senator Tim Johnson
(D-SD), responded quickly and very nicely saying he would get in touch
with the Senator and inquire. He then got back to me, saying “Tim sees
no need to endorse either candidate–it’s up to the voters of
Connecticut to decide who represents them.”

Carl Levin (D-MI) must feel the same way, because his Press
Secretary, Tara Andringa, said he too didn’t want to get involved.
“Sen. Levin has not made any comments about who, if anyone, he will
endorse in the race,” wrote Andringa.

Steven D on August 15, 2006 at 5:37 pm

For a change neither of my Senators is on the bad list. For which I’m grateful.
alohaleezy on August 15, 2006 at 6:02 pm

I just wrote to DiFI and urged her to publicly support Mr. Lamont or she may just find herself in a very similar position. Does this mean Boxer is now supporting Lamont? I ask because she was campaigning for Lieberman prior to the vote.
- Del C on August 15, 2006 at 6:17 pm
  
  Apparently she offered the Lamont campaign her support after he won the Democratic nomination.
  
  http://www.google.com/search?q=barbara-boxer+support+lamont
  
  Which is just how it should be.
  - Real History Lisa on August 15, 2006 at 7:58 pm
    
    Oh dang – just fired her off a note. Wish I had read the comments first!
    - Real History Lisa on August 15, 2006 at 7:58 pm
      
      (Not dang that she’s supporting Lamont! Dang that I wrote her on a non-issue.)
DaveW on August 15, 2006 at 6:11 pm

All pretty predictable except Leahy and Levin. Feinstein should have come as a surprise but, sadly enough, does not.

I think most of these are holding their fire out of courtesy to a long-time colleague. That seems like an acceptable position for now. They probably think Lieberman will come to his senses soon and spare them from having to openly oppose him. As the campaign season wears on, keeping mum on a candidate who is the new darling of bushies everywhere will no longer be viable.
- Street Kid on August 15, 2006 at 7:01 pm
  
  Actually, I would have been shocked if Levin did oppose him. That man is so pro-Israel, it is pathetic. IMO, not even worth contacting.
Heart of the Rockies on August 15, 2006 at 6:55 pm

We wrote Salazar a pretty strong note of disfavour and told him we didn’t care who his friends are (Lieberman and Gonzales). That we expect him to respect the voters of CT, his Colorado constituents, the democratic process and the Democratic Party.
northcountry on August 15, 2006 at 7:27 pm

I remember when he first ran he was pumped to no end at DailyKos.
Captain Future on August 15, 2006 at 8:25 pm

Senator Feinstein has heard from me on this issue. I expect her announcement shortly.
JanetT in MD on August 15, 2006 at 11:28 pm

I’ve written a letter to Senator Mikulski on this issue. Usually she’s been pretty solid on things for us (we’ve been pretty lucky in Maryland in our Senators, most of the time), so I’m hoping she (and Senator Sarbanes) will respect the choice of Connecticut Dem voters here.

We’re having a primary in Maryland in September — for Senator Sarbanes’ open seat. We’ve got some good candidates — but only one can win. And the party must support whichever of the Democratic candidates comes out on top, whether that’s Mfume, Cardin, Lichtman or whoever. Otherwise, why have primaries at all? If the Democratic Party cannot respect the choice of its own members, how can they expect those same voters to support them?

Lieberman’s actions in running as an independent are totally self-centered and petty, and could potentially do considerable damage to the credibility of the Democratic Party and the entire primary election system. A great message to send a state that just had the biggest voter turnout for a primary in years… or any other state, for that matter.
BooMan on August 16, 2006 at 1:36 am
Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) supports Lamont says
Howard Gantman, Feinstein’s Communications Director. “I support the
Democratic nominee — Ned Lamont,” says Feinstein, according to Gantman.

Patrick Morris, of Senator Herb Kohl’s (D-WI) press office, had
much more to say, which was a refreshing change compared to some other
statements. “Senator Kohl has known and worked with Senator Lieberman
for a long time, and respects his principled stands and commitment to
public service,” said Morris. “However, the voters of Connecticut have
clearly chosen Ned Lamont to represent the Democratic Party this
election year, and Senator Kohl honors their choice and will support
their nominee this fall.”

Patrick Leahy’s (D-VT) Chief of Staff, Ed Pagano, confirms
Leahy’s support for Lamont, saying simply “Senator Leahy is supporting
Ned Lamont.”

While I have not yet heard back from Alex Glass, Communications
Director for Patty Murray (D-WA), Dan Savage, editor of Seattle
newspaper The Stranger, has confirmation from Glass. “Senator Murray
will be supporting the Democratic nominee, Ned Lamont,” Glass is
reported as saying.

Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) checks in via Communications Director
Wendy Morigi, who says “I am confirming for you that Senator
Rockefeller is supporting Ned Lamont’s candidacy in Connecticut.”

But let’s look at the Democratic Senators in our new category, which
I’m calling “firm about not being firm” when it comes to the
interesting situation in Connecticut.

Drey Samuelson, Chief of Staff for Senator Tim Johnson
(D-SD), responded quickly and very nicely saying he would get in touch
with the Senator and inquire. He then got back to me, saying “Tim sees
no need to endorse either candidate–it’s up to the voters of
Connecticut to decide who represents them.”

Carl Levin (D-MI) must feel the same way, because his Press
Secretary, Tara Andringa, said he too didn’t want to get involved.
“Sen. Levin has not made any comments about who, if anyone, he will
endorse in the race,” wrote Andringa.

Dems Shy About Whom They Support

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