The Write-Off Candidacy

I'd call this a sure sign that the national Democratic party has written off the Lamont candidacy in Connecticut. Senator Joseph Biden has told reporters that yes, he backs Lamont. But he will not campaign for him against Lieberman. Now Biden says that his decision is based on personal honor because Lieberman is a personal friend. That sounds good, certainly better than saying he thinks Lamont is toast. But that is also wonderful cover for a write-off.

U.S. Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr., the Delaware Democrat and a leading critic of President Bush and the war in Iraq, on Friday backed Vernon Democrat Joseph D. Courtney in his rematch with U.S. Rep. Robert R. Simmons, R-2nd District.
Biden, who could become chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee should the Republicans lose their majority in next week's election, criticized Simmons' prescription for the war, calling it outdated and a proven failure.
Biden also said that while he was supporting his party's candidate for the Senate in Connecticut, Ned Lamont, he would not campaign against Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman, who is running as an independent following his defeat in the August primary.

Biden said Lieberman is a "close personal friend," that his son and Lieberman's son attended Yale together, and that his daughter-in-law was the matron of honor at Lieberman's son's wedding.

"It's a matter of personal honor," he said. "It's not possible for me to campaign against Joe Lieberman."

I rather suspect that Biden would be campaigning - vigorously - for Lamont if the poll numbers were reversed. He still harbors presidential ambitions, after all. Maybe it it personal friendship, but I kind of doubt that is what is motivating it. It is much more likely that the national does not want to do anything that might cause Lieberman to reconsider caucusing with them. (I don't think Lieberman would do anything but caucus with the Dems, by the way).

categories Politics | Gaius Saturday, 28 October , 2006

  • By TC@LeatherPenguin, Saturday, 28 October , 2006 @ 9:34 pm

    “Personal honor” + Biden = My brain asplodes!

    His kid is getting kicked running for DA in Delaware, too. If Biden doesn’t just shut up and duck, he’s gonna get killed with the backlash if the Dems don’t take control.

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