"For Lieberman, It's All About Power"
Here's Daily Kos on
the Joe Lieberman-Ned Lamont debate last night.
"For Lieberman, it's all about power. And he'll be as vicious, as rude, as boorish, and as dishonest as he needs to be to cling to it."
My impression, from what I saw of the debate: Lamont held his own, which, for a challenger new to politics, counts as a victory in the perception department.
Here's the Washington Post, with a headline Lieberman won't love:
"
In Conn., Lieberman Defends Seat, War Stance."
And the Times: "
Iraq War Dominates Lieberman-Lamont Debate."
The sharpest exchanges came during the first 15 minutes of the debate, which was televised by C-Span, as Mr. Lieberman persistently interrupted Mr. Lamont....
From
the Hartford Courant:
Unlike the collegial tone employed in his vice presidential debate with Dick Cheney in 2000, Lieberman was alternately caustic and dismissive...
From
the New Haven Register:
Scott McLean, chairman of the political science department at Quinnipiac University, said he believed both candidates, especially Lamont, accomplished their respective goals in what may be the only debate of the primary race.
"I do think what this debate has done is it has solidified Ned Lamont. These types of situations only help the challenger," McLean said. "The bottom line is, Ned Lamont gained more from this debate. He went toe to toe. He gave as good as he got. He didn't make any huge mistakes."
McLean said Lieberman appeared to have made a decision not to play to his persona as a gentle, likable politician. Rather, he was aggressive with Lamont, using the rebuttal time to challenge the businessman. It was a marked difference from Lieberman's mild-mannered debate in 2000 against Vice President Dick Cheney.
A theme emerges: Lieberman nasty to Democrats, warm and fuzzy to Dick Cheney.
As I've said, Lieberman will do anything for power. Watch for him to get uglier as the campaign continues.
