A Note from DNC Chair Howard Dean: Ned Lamont

[helderheid]

Ned Lamont -- that's the name of the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate from Connecticut. He defeated Senator Joe Lieberman yesterday in a hard-fought primary election.

There's been a lot said about this race and what it means for our party, so I wanted to get a few things straight.

One big issue in this race was the war in Iraq. Like the vast majority of Americans, Ned Lamont believes that "staying the course" will only drive America and Iraq deeper into disaster.

Lamont's courage and conviction on Iraq will make him a good Senator. But his positions on all the important issues -- on Iraq, but also balancing the budget, getting every American health insurance, and solving the energy crisis -- will make him a great Senator. These are not just the values of the Democratic Party, they are mainstream American values, and they are Ned Lamont's values.

After his loss, Joe Lieberman announced his intention to run as an independent. That's the wrong thing to do.

Ned Lamont won fair and square. We have a process, and those who participate in it should respect the outcome. Joe Lieberman should respect the Democratic voters' decision. He has to do what all of us who have lost an election have done: support the winner.

Our party is united on a new direction for our country. Joe Lieberman has been nominated for Senate by Democratic voters three times, and has served admirably for 18 years. But this moment in our country's history demands that we be unified.

This race wasn't about ideology. Ned Lamont succeeded because of participation politics -- he talked plainly and honestly with the people of Connecticut, and his campaign engaged in the kind of neighbor-to-neighbor organizing that has reinvigorated our party across the country.

Over a quarter-million people voted in the Democratic primary in Connecticut yesterday. Among those taking part in that exceptionally high voter turnout were tens of thousands of people who are new to our party. Voters included Republicans and Independents joining the Democratic Party and others registering for the first time and choosing to be Democrats.

That bodes well for our chances not just in Connecticut but everywhere that people like you have been working to build this party from the ground up.

We've got to be unified through November.

Thank you,
Howard

Governor Howard Dean, M.D.
Chairman, Democratic National Committee

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

1. Gotta Love Dean. He Is Spot On With That.

[bobbolink]

2. You got it right, Howard! Ned's speech was heartwarming!

I'm glad Dean mentions Ned's issues of health care, the environment, and the other issues he brought up last night. (OF course, he didn't say anything about poverty, but what else is new... the Dems have dropped that issue, haven't they?)

[spooky3]

14. Edwards hasn't dropped it.

[bobbolink]

15. You're completely correct -- John Edwards is the only one

taking poverty issues seriously!

Thanks for the reminder!

[spooky3]

18. You're welcome! :-) Unfortunately, there are so many issues

on which the Rethugs have completely screwed up that it is difficult to keep ANY issue at the forefront for all Dems.

[bobbolink]

21. I understand. But... dying people in this country should *surely*

be a priority!

[Beaverhausen]

3. K&R

I love the Gov!

[proud2BlibKansan]

4. Go Howard!

Right on (as usual).

[Warren DeMontague]

5. Yup. Yup. Yup.

Yessir. :patriot:

[Eric J in MN]

6. "He has to do what all of us who have lost an election have done::"

...support the winner."

Howard Dean could have run as an Independent after he lost the 2004 Presidential Primary.

But he didn't, because he has more class than Joe Lieberman.

[longship]

7. Thank you, Howard.

As usual, you are right on the target.

R & K

[Nikki Stone 1]

8. "Ned Lamont won fair and square."

Take THAT, you silly man.

[fishwax]

9. well said, chairman dean

:kick:

[cali]

10. Great statement, guv.

gotta love you, even if you bugged the hell out of me at times when you were the governor of my fair state.

[Cha]

11. And Thank you, Howard, for

that rousing, unifying speech regarding our Dem candidate from Connecticut, Ned Lamont!

"Lamont's courage and conviction on Iraq will make him a good Senator. But his positions on all the important issues -- on Iraq, but also balancing the budget, getting every American health insurance, and solving the energy crisis -- will make him a great Senator. These are not just the values of the Democratic Party, they are mainstream American values, and they are Ned Lamont's values."

I hear ol' soreloserman wasn't helping our energy crisis but helping thd dick cheney. That little sniveling traitor.

[corkhead]

12. Hey Howard, how about Michigan's 7th district?

this...
http://www.renier4rep.com/

or this...

http://www.walbergforcongress.com/news/

[The Count]

13. Nice! Does it mean Boxer is now released from her servitute to Joe?

[Rose Siding]

16. "Ned Lamont succeeded because of participation politics"

All 50 states, Doc. :thumbsup:

[Breeze54]

17. Kicked and Recommended! TY!

:kick:

:applause:

[im10ashus]

19. "We've got to be unified through November."

Too bad Joe doesn't understand that. Thanks for posting. :hi:

[autorank]

20. "Let Dean be Dean" This is great K&R

I like what Dean is doing here. He's telling the simple truth, to begin with. If Lieberman had one the same logic would have applied, despite Dean's disagreement with Liebermans war policy.

He's not waiting until the poobahs in the Senate decide what they'll do. He stealing the field - taking a position so good that anyone who counters it will look like an idiot.

Nice one Dr. Dean. Thanks.