Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Joe Kid Gloves?
Here's a question that's been bugging me since Joe made his "Independent Democrat" intentions official: Will the Democrats be reluctant to play hardball with him for fear of driving him into the Republicans' open arms? Even if he can't run as a Republican, he can choose to caucus as one, potentially contributing to a Republican majority, much like Jeffords did when he left the GOP.If Harry Reid revoked all his committee memberships, would anyone be surprised if the Republicans offered him some of theirs, and maybe even a chair if he agreed to caucus with them? And would anyone be surprised if Lieberman took them up on their kind offer without a second thought?Please understand that I am not advocating delicate treatment for Lieberman - I want to see the Democratic party disown and destroy him if he refuses to respect the wishes of their CT primary voters. All I'm saying is that the Democrats tend to be depressingly risk-averse most of the time (Gang Of Fourteen, anyone?), and I would not be a bit surprised if all the establishment Democrats simply sat on their hands and let Ned and Joe duke it out themselves.On the other hand, the Republicans will be at no such disadvantage. Their most difficult challenge will be in finding a way to help Joe without hurting him.
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8 comments:
If Harry Reid revoked all his committee memberships, would anyone be surprised if the Republicans offered him some of theirs, and maybe even a chair if he agreed to caucus with them?
I don't think even Joe would be that stoopit. Nothing would be sweeter for Ned than being able to run against a Holy Joe that had turned Republican. A dream come true.
Joe's only hope is being able to convince CT voters that he'll represent that mystical *swing* voter. He'll be a principled man of opposition to the Repukes (huh?) while not being swayed by the wild eyed liberal Dems.
The other side of the coin is -- which Repukes would Frist be willing to turn into mortal enemies by giving away their committee chairs?
And would anyone be surprised if Lieberman took them up on their kind offer without a second thought?
See above. Given his tin ear and record of ineptitude so far in this race, I guess its not out of the question that Joe would go here. But I think he'd lose whatever professional campaign staff he has left if he did so. And losing his current staff wouldn't be the worst thing in the world -- but who's he gonna replace them with? Republicans?
Who said anything about running as a Republican? I was actually thinking he would campaign on the "Independent Democrat" fiction, and then manufacture some pretense to caucus with the Republicans (I didn't leave the Democratic Party, the Democratic Party left me).
As for committee chairs, are none of them getting voted out (doesn't Santorum chair anything)? And if not, how about Specter? I personally think it would be a mistake to diss such a faithful lapdog, but his bark does seem to irritate them.
Remember, this *is* the ratfuck party we're talking about here, and Joe shows more & more affinity for them by the day.
Here is a scenerio. Joe runs and it keeps the Republican's thinking that they might Win a three way vote split. Then at the last minute
he withdrawls and throws all his support behind Ned too late for the Republican's to field a better canidate AND he slurped up all their money for other races! And then secretly gives it to good democrats. How about that?
Anyone? Anyone?
You know what I'm depressed about today? (Post Ned depression?)
Sam Seder needs to gin up support for himself on AAR. That sucks.
I'm sick of the shit on AM hate radio and I fight them tooth and nail, so when I hear about someone on OUR side having to convience the powers that be to keep him, well it just bugs me.
-Your favorite Half Vulcan/Half Human with a fedora posting again because Eli must not be stopped.
...would anyone be surprised if Lieberman took them up on their kind offer without a second thought?
I think he'll be that stupid(voting w/ the wingnut caucus). Pride is even a bigger bitch coupled with ambition. I say egg him on slowly to the point where his pride won't let him see his hand in front of his face!
It won't help in the short term, but in the long term even the most reclusive voter will realize they're slinging shit.
But that's just me...
Then at the last minute
he withdrawls and throws all his support behind Ned too late for the Republican's to field a better canidate AND he slurped up all their money for other races! And then secretly gives it to good democrats. How about that?
Right, that would totally happen. Joe's entire career trajectory has actually been leading up to one big ratfuck against the Republicans. Pwned!
Post Ned depression?
Post-party depression?
I think he'll be that stupid(voting w/ the wingnut caucus). Pride is even a bigger bitch coupled with ambition. I say egg him on slowly to the point where his pride won't let him see his hand in front of his face!
Joe doesn't really need a whole lot of encouragement to backstab his party. It's kinda his whole schtick.
Ooo, hey, I got a palindrome for me verification word: rdbbdr.
Eli:
I think CT's voters are going to be fairly insistent that Joe let them know during the campaign who he's gonna be caucusing with. And if he refuses to tell them.....well, that'll be an answer in itself.
As for the committee chairs -- even if the current chair loses a race there's another Repub next in line that Frist would have to piss off. There's some he probably wouldn't care about, but I doubt they're on any of the high powered committees holy joe considers his by right.
I think CT's voters are going to be fairly insistent that Joe let them know during the campaign who he's gonna be caucusing with. And if he refuses to tell them.....well, that'll be an answer in itself.
Lying is not a problem for Joe.
As for committee chairs, that could well be - maybe Frist would just make some empty promises, which would be kinda poetic justice...
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