Fear and Loathing in Connecticut

Joe Liebermans loss in the Democratic primary in Connecticut (pauses to check spelling, that silent second 'c' catches me out) was a bit a of a surprise. The punditry is awarding this as a victory to the "netroots" movement and perhaps it is, in part. We should also remember that the good people of Connecticut may have their own reasons.

To the extent that the netroots folks are responsible they may find they've scored an own goal. That Senator Lieberman was well to the edge of the party is unarguable. But tossing him out may have been a cure much worse than the disease. It creates many problems. In a tight, crucial national Senate race it may just place a seat in play. If Lieberman runs as an independent the middle/left half of the general electorate may divide, handing a Republican a majority (which is why preferential voting systems are better, but that's a whole other can of tuna). It has also given the Republicans a handy talking point about the Dems being hostage to extremists etc. That will bite some, at least for a little while. Worst of all it is a diversion of time and money. This is a testing election. Every body and every dollar counts. If the Dems are serious about mounting an insurgency they need to keep a total focus on their actual enemy.

To paraphrase Zaphod Beeblebrox : 8 out of t 10 for the tactical result, but minus several million for strategic intelligence.