Yay!

Ned! Roots!

And of course, Jane!

Stick a fork in her — she’s done!

Boxer is my Senator, and while I’ve sung her praises many times, she’s got some ’splainin to do, as to why she’s out in CT campaigning for DINO Joe.

Ditto for Big Dog.

Having watched Boxer turn on Curry up close, sadly I am not surprised … there’s a lot of venom in that lady and it’s not aimed at the right targets.

Bravo Maura for taking her on!

Lieberman’s “short ride” comment was terrible, but his vote on cloture for Alito was a thousand times worse.

Boxer should be *ashamed* of herself.

This is why we have to make the Gopers lament along with all who would enable them.

Remember, Boxer voted for “Bankruptcy Reform.”

Sure is interesting that Jowls seems only to have time to campaign at those sanitized, no-public-attendance, friends-only events.

Must’ve learned it from that kiss mind-meld with the Decider.

Remember all the roses we sent to Boxer a while back (I was not on FDL at the time - it was through Kos), I want my rose back.

I am grumpy.

Maura !

It’s amazing to me that Boxer will try an old saw about how the press/constituents have it all wrong.

I’ve strongly supported her in the past. I’m completly disgusted by her antics of late.

The repeated denial that he even made the statement is annoying. The New Haven Register needs to either make a pointed comment that it stands by its story (i.e. call him a liar) or retract the story.

In related news, the increasingly unhinged Washington Post notes today that Lieberman “is facing a brutal primary challenge from antiwar businessman Ned Lamont.”

“Brutal”? Medic, I need help for a stage 3 WATB over here, stat!

We’re going to need a gurney to carry all these waffles.

;>)

Heh,heh,heh,

And The Jane Hamsher’s of the Left take yet another chunk out of an ankle.

Bravo.

This is further proof that Joe Lieberman will not rest until he’s damaged the careers of as many Democrats as he can.

Bravo Maura!!!

Well, that was bracing!!! Those Senate club members don’t like being questioned at ALL, do they?

Kudos to CT Bob and Maura for bringing the voice of CT constituents right to Barbara’s face.

I don’t want my roses back-that was for the courageous stand she took regarding election protection when no other Senator would.

But I’m not gonna be sending any more roses if she’s gonna take the Rape Gurney Joe position that compromises a raped woman’s medical care.

Wait, wait one minute! Where were the Lieberman supporters? All I see are Connecticut bloggers!

*ilson,

the Senator’s insistence makes it kinda tough to blame it on ’staff’ now - jeebus

btw, neither Senator had their shiny happy campaigning face on - looked more like they do when trying to explain why a local base was being scuttled - ah good times

and Jane Hamsher wherever you are - Boxer’s ‘misstep’ today more than validates your use of the phrase ‘incumbency protection racket ‘ - good gawd, even a career liberal like Boxer is subject to it’s sway

Another Mauralicious moment!

Gaaah! I saw a link from the page with Froomkin’s column to an op-ed by Arlen Specter helpfully entitled Surveillance We Can Live With and I made the mistake of looking at it. Oh, my brain hurts. What a load of whiny crap.

President Bush’s record of seeking to expand Article II power has been a hallmark of his administration. The president and vice president have vociferously argued that the administration had the authority for the program without any judicial review. Bush’s personal commitment to submit his program to FISC is therefore a major breakthrough.

Really, Arlen? A personal, voluntary promise was such a major breakthrough that you didn’t think it was necessary to actually require it in your bill and actually make it binding on him or on any future illegal presidential program? Doesn’t that tell you something about the level of power-grab you’re rolling over for, that an informal promise is a “major breakthrough?”

And the conclusion is worse:

In my opinion, it is intolerable to let this matter drift indefinitely. If someone has a better idea for legislation that would resolve the program’s legality or can negotiate a better compromise with the president, I will be glad to listen.

Arlen, as the chair of the Judiciary Committee, I thought you might be aware that we have these things called “courts,” and that most matters where someone is accused of doing something illegal don’t “drift indefinitely” until Congress decides to make them legal. I’m sorry you’ve decided to agree that such a thing is too hurtful for King George to be subjected to, but perhaps you could just suggest that if he just followed the law, there would be fewer of these “public outcry” things “drifting” around distressing him.

Just a thought, seeing as you’re supposed to be a big cheese on this whole “judicial” thing. I know you don’t want to lose your comfy chair, but I think you might want to think a little more about how “he gave in and allowed the world’s greatest democracy turn into a dictatorship” is going to look next to your picture in the history books.

Bless you, Maura.
Bless you, CTBob.
Bless you, Jane.
Bless you, Spaceboy.
Bless you Kobe, Katie, and Lucy.

GO Nedmentum!

Hard to decide which is the greater disappointment. Democrat Boxer, for her kiss-ass approach to Joey L., or Democrat Hillary (and her husband) for supporting the Bush Middle East War. Of course the most frightening betrayer would be Clinton, because she appears to be but a heartbeat away from the Democratic nomination for the grand-prize in ‘08.

Boxer saddens me.
She’s been so right on many things, including the electoral college votes and the Iraq War. It is just depressing that she has to go into politician mode here in order to do a courtesy call for Joe Lieberman. I mean, it goes with the territory that she has dissemble a bit. But in some ways, she seems to be as genuinely out of touch as Joe. What does Marcy Kaptur see that Boxer doesn’t?

I believe some corporate donors got to Boxer. As someone above mentioned, Joe is calling in all chits on this one, and somewhere a donor was called and called Boxer. Boxer said there were ‘other considerations’ in supporting Joe.

I suggest we should look there. Any common donors? Big Pharma?

Indeed, CT Bob, kudos to you also.

Perhaps some Pooper Scopers instead of roses this time for Senator Boxer.

Sue at 19:
Wait, wait one minute! Where were the Lieberman supporters? All I see are Connecticut bloggers!

Maybe the let them sneak out the back door so they wouldn’t have to be seen with him…

I still cannot believe I voted for that man Senator Lieberman, to be Vice President.

This is all part of the 98% incumbancy that goes along with Congress… They don’t want the boat rocked for anyone, even those who undermind the party.. because if THEY can get tossed, then any of them can.

God forbid that they run on a platform instead of party.. and using party to stay in office is exactly what they are doing!

We need to remove EVERY representitive in Congress and hold NEW ELECTIONS on a level playing field, and on platforms, not parties.

Another sad thing is that Joe is sure to have told Boxer by now that Maura is a Lamont supporter out to embarass him, so she should just ignore her.

yeah … to think he could have been one heartbeat away from President Albert Gore …

are they trying to tell us that they don’t care about us?
yes.
why? because we have no one else to vote for.

if we don’t each start writing voter initiatives for each of our states to overrule what they are doing in our government, we are not going to have a government. One like Lebanon or Iraq perhaps. pretty close to that now

Dear Ms. Boxer:

That performance with Joe Lieberman today was shameful. The two of you looked like a couple of Republicans caught up in the Abramoff scandal. Running away from the press. Then you try to cover your ass by misquoting rape-gurney Joe. Honestly you looked embarrassed to be there, and you should be. Your performance was entitlement politics at its worst. I hope whatever favor Joe called in from you was worth it. You made a complete fool out of yourself and disgraced yourself to all California voters that elected you.

Oh my god. Aside from the rape/contraception issue, why does Boxer give a blanket endorsement anyway? Why is she so adamant that Joe is the best man for the job? She’s sounding ridiculous — all blather. Joe should win… because, just because!

Long, Long ago a therapist said to me “we do the best we can at the time and when we know better, we do better.” Guilt is wasted energy.

Well, we ALL know better know don’t we!

This isn’t going to make Boxer look any better, but it sounds more and more like she’s a typical bureaucrat who puts the words of her colleagues above what she’s hearing from constituents. I’m sure Lieberman’s people have been working the Democrats in Washington, spreading misinformation about how the angry online activists are trying to make an example of good ol’ Joe. They’re all on the same team, right? Why would Joe ever lie to his fellow Democrats? *koff*koff*

I swear, everyone who runs for office in our party really needs to be forced to study the history of political intrigue. We’ve got a bunch of wide-eyed rubes who come to the dirtiest halls of power in the country and don’t seem to understand the least bit about power struggles. I say a copy of I, Claudius and Macbeth for every newly-elected Democrat from now on.

Mark at 13

wrt ‘brutal’ I think a reason so many Sen.s called today ‘have no positiion on the bill yet’ is so that if they came out w/position against Arlen’s coverup, that would quickly be labeled ‘extreme’ , or ’shrill’ etc. Liberal, of course, is self-explanatory. To wit: Ted Kennedy.

Opposes. Will fight. (He’s already the target of ‘liberal’…and doesnt’ care. Minimun wage, same thing. He stands up. And anyone who joins in gets tarred. Shameful.)
——
To the topic: I just hope this makes enough of splash to wake a large portion of CT citizenry/voters. Can’t wait to see how Courant and others play the visits.

And then I come back to my own personal opinion, which is every abortion, no matter when performed during pregnancy–this is my personal view–is unacceptable and is, in its way, a termination of potential life.

Guess who said that on the floor of the Senate in 1999.

If that’s how Lieberman feels, then fine. He’s entitled to his opinion. But Boxer, Planned Parenthood and NARAL are out of their minds for thinking that he’s worth their unwavering support.

I just removed my email list name from Barbara Boxer’s pac: PAC for (NO) Change.

Someone on another venue posted the thought that, perhaps, the big dog, and inclusively, Boxer, are there to prevent Joey from going “independent”.

If the democratic party wishes to stop appearing weak on defense, they had better start showing ‘merica how to fight, even if dirty. No prisoners.

Let Ned stab Joey in the heart. Make it a big play. If Joey tries to run, twist the blade, dammit.

The party can start to shed it’s “weak on defense” mantle by “killing” Joey.

Wow. Excellent work by the two citizen “reporters.” They were polite throughout, but still weren’t pushovers. I’ve seen countless “professional” journalists never be able to do that.

Jumpin’ Joe at the end: “You not gonna stop!” No he’s not. And either are we. Don’t know what Maura and CT Bob do for day jobs, but the press certainly could use more people like you. Thanks again for the efforts and hopefully you’ll rub off on the plastic TV people that gather around these events as well.

Boxer really took a black eye today, and deservedly so.

She thinks she’s covered by giving a nice speech at Ykos and posting a few diaries, but accountability is a daily thing.

that was BEAUTIFUL. Just because Boxer has been great to us in the past doesn’t mean she gets a free ride. She has a job to do too. This is called oversight — of our employees. WAY TO GO.

This video has legs. You watch — it will be all over the internet in a few days and the Senator will have to respond — either change her position or hunker down. This will have an effect.

Kudos to all concerned. Great work.

Now I will go and call my senators.

Boxer’s PAC takes money from progressives and shifts it to corporate shills. Her PAC should not get your money. Give it to Blue America:

http://www.actblue.com/page/blueamerica

So did I, Peter.

1. Well…impressions can sometimes be inaccurate…but…my impressions of Lieberman and Boxer was that those 2 sure seemed mighty uncomfortable on that stroll. Pragmatically, maybe they were warned that they’d face a gauntlet of Lamont folks. Still, that was some nervous body language to my eye.

2. I didn’t pick up on any throngs shouting for Lieberman along the streets? No crowds of joyful supporters? No cheers and hollars? If accurate…not a good sign for Lieberman.

3. Maybe the Lamont team just needs to gin up another commercial. Show those telling denials from Lieberman/Boxer on his “short ride” statement. Then put up on the screen the quote, in bold from the newspaper, like Ms. Hamsher does above. And then, a solemn voice-over asking the audience: “Who do you want to protect you in Congress? A liar, or a Lamont?”
(ok, that’s probably too agressive for Mr. Lamont)
Ghostman

E-mailed those paragraphs from New Haven to Boxer. Gave it the subject of “Want to Reconsider That Endorsement?”

No, I don’t expect much of a response. But maybe it might tell her something.

I hope other senators show up. The more the incumbents shill for holy joe the more ridiculous they make themselves look. Did anyone hear about the rethug congress critter from CT telling reporters that holy joe is good for CT?

I gave up on Boxer’s PAC after she voted for the Patriot Act Renewal and she tried to justify voting for it in a diary at KOS.

HoJo’s opinion of all us lowly voters really shows on his face in this clip. You can just see him thinking, like the Chimp-in-Chief, how much easier dictatorship would be.

Two things:

First, shows how out of touch the DC club is from real people,

second, shows how powerful this new medium is to have this info up in minutes and directed at the progressives all around our country.

DC club better beware….

I live in CA, so Boxer is my senator. I called the DC office — twice — was always cut off after 2 minutes of canned crap. I finally called the Sacramento office and my voice was shaking, I was so angry. I let loose. Don’t worry — I told the man who answered I wasn’t talking to him, but I was as mad as hell at BOXER. He understood. I have a funny feeling, though, that if that crap is happening at her DC office, a LOT are calling. By the way, the person answering the phone didn’t even ask if I WAS a constituent of Boxer’s. So — call — even if you don’t live in CA. (Boxer doesn’t LIVE in Connecticut, and she is there, campaigning for that liar, so why can’t anyone else CALL her office?) And be sure and say you don’t appreciate Boxer LYING about Holy Joe.

It’s a bit late for the NH Register to retract that story. It has developed substantial legs. Even the Lieberman campaign would have to explain why they did not go on the record sooner about being misquoted.

Ok, but what does Barbara do now?

She can still say, plausibly, that Joe lied to her. She took him at his word. But having been deceived, rather than merely misinformed, Barbara has to respond as strongly as she has been wronged. She needs to rescind her endorsement.

Well, THAT short walk went well, didn’t it?

Like a slow-moving trainwreck!

Keep it up, CT Bloggers — they can run but they can’t hide (forever, that is)!

Barbara Boxer may not be a typical DLC vichycrat but I bet she is scared shitless that a Lamont victory will cause Corporate America to double down on the Republicans. If Corporate America’s most reliable Blues State DLCrat can be defeated, does a 30 year old lobbying strategy of playing both sides of the aile and usually backing the incumbent make sense????

I think the Netroots has to play good cop/bad cop. Keep the Democratic Leadership honest as to key party principles at all times while at the sametime reassuring them that the NetRoots/new progressive basis is ready and mature enough to pick up the slack from a lose of corrupting Corporate cash.

Yeah… and worse. He (Joey) could be running for president today, by virtue of his veep luggage. Now… that would be a different kettle of fish. A potential seamless political transition from Repug to Demo.

Shell - YEA! calling now.. It’s phone every Senator day anyway.)

A suggested follow-up to “the Kiss”: the largest foamboard one can buy, with the New Haven Register’s title banner (I know there’s a real name for that but it has slipped my mind) and date across the top, and the quote Jane just gave, blown up in big letters readable from fifty yards.

Confronted with that, at least pols and journalists won’t be interested in being filmed claiming Joe never made the quote.

Let’s refresh Joe’s comments on the subject, shall we? From the New Haven Register:

Does anyone know if Leiberman has directly challenged the Register quote — i.e. asked for a correction or anything — or is he just relying on the memory hole?

Joe and Boxer could just take a ’short ride’ to a friendlier venue…couldn’t they?

For Joe, that short ride home is coming real soon now. And he’ll be crying the whole way, “But - I WAS RAPED!”

This is post is linked to Rawstory’s front page, the word’s getting out.

Per ghostman, I agree, Joe looks exhausted and defeated.
I think Boxer’s seen the latest poll numbers. She was defensive and prickly, and Joe hid behind her and let her do the talking.
Great video!
What jacqrat said at 11:58 above.
I hope someone can get to Joe’s people and see if he stands behind her reinterpretation.

I called Boxer’s office here in SF twice today the first time I asked if she had a position on the Spector bill and told him how her stumping for that obscenity in Conn. has hurt her reputation with me and then after I saw the clip I called and asked if its true that she approves of his emergency rape victims simply going to another hospital, of course she has no current position on Specter’s bill and they had no answers. What a shame, one of my heros turning out to be just another pol.

Great work CTBob and Maura and Jane, thank you!

Looks like those two just sucked on some sour patch kids while at the candy store.

LOL

Ever since that worthless Fitzgerald caved on Rove, I’ve been too despondent to even log in and change my screen name from obsessed back to depressed, but this Boxer debacle is the last straw.

I don’t know what they’ve got on her, but let’s face it - the whole system is broken - they’re all crooks and hypocrites.

She sounds like Scott McClellan in the video clip.

And you know what? Fitz was a fuck from Day 1 - he’s just as guilty as Time, WaPo and NYT in the conspiracy to allow Bush to be re-elected by suppressing the Plame scandal.

I am so disgusted I could spit

Way to go, Maura! And thank you, Jane, for publicizing this. Boxer ought to be ashamed. As a CA Dem, I am ashamed at our senators. We can do better. (Cindy Sheehan, maybe?)

OK, I just saw her answer to the rape gurney question, and she’s definately off my list,and I will send her a “your actions have consequences” letter this evening! Slimy Slithering Salamanders, where does she get off saying he’s pro choice when he’s said he thinks embryos are the same thing as a person. sheesh!

By the way, I’ve just donated to Lamont again and called all of Boxer’s offices. They all have different people answering who will listen to your blood-spitting rant and pass it on to their demented boss. Only the DC is hard to get through to. Call them all and let off some steam. Here’s the link:

Give Boxer Hell

Did either of them get asked any questions about Israel/Lebanon today?

depressed formerly obsessed, even you, with all the terrific comments you have written do not get to call Fitz a “fuck” and just expect me to read that without a comment.
I am sorry you are down, but there have been numerous posts from Christy, emptywheel, and others going over the filings. Fitz is kicking Ted Olson’s ass. Rove has flipped on Scooter.
Yeah, there’s no media coverage of it, but Rove isn’t out there saying Fitz screwed up.
I’ve learned a ton from many of your fine comments here and at tnh. One weak one doesn’t cancel out all those other fine ones. This is a marathon not a sprint. Have you seen Lamont’s latest poll numbers? He’s beating Joe in the Primary and dead even in the general. The voters are telling Naral and PP and the unions to put their endoresements where the sun don’t shine.
Valley Girl quit FDL. Did you know? Remember Karen Allen. She left too. I don’t want to lose you too.

Eureka: We should ask Mr. Pryor if he might be contemplating a change of heart concerning his unconditional “love” for LIEbertwit…

I just got off the phone with Sen. Boxer’s San Diego office. I asked the staffer about the Lieberman quote in the New Haven Register. He said that they “have no statement on that issue” and that they attempt to keep political and governing issues seperate. I pointed out that her stated support for Lieberman implies a governing philosophy aligned with his.

Anyway, I was very polite, as was he. I’m not sure that her staff are all aware of this story so it would be good for CA firedogs make a call to her offices today about this topic. She’ll know that the issue has gotten a lot of people’s attention and that word spreads *fast* in blogtopia.

Barbara,

I want my rose back.

It’s pretty pathetic to see Boxer try to “clarify” Lieberman’s comments, when he was only a couple of feet away. What she was saying sounded like nothing more than talking points put out as damage control straight from Lieberman’s office.

Boxer also should have the political sense to have simply said, “Joe’s right there, ask him what his comments meant.” That wouldn’t help her as to why she’s stumping for him, but she’d look like less of a lackey than she did by parroting weak excuses.

I’d like to wait for an open thread, but I’ve had good experiences asking for help freeping Michigan polls here before, and this poll has a tight deadline, so here’s another one:

http://www.lsj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage

You have to scroll down toward the bottom of the page, to where it asks “If the election for governor were held today, for whom would you vote, Dick DeVos or Jennifer Granholm?”

I think you know what to do. Poll closes at 7pm EST. Thanks for your help, hope I’m not too much a nuisance.

Tomorrow is primary day here. And of course I am voting in the Democratic primary end of things. But the interest for me will be what “kind” of Democrats and Republicans will be chosen. I want so badly for my state to return to its historically progressive, (and caring for the downtrodden) and rightful political place! John Steinbeck’s ghost lives here. Though Steinbeck was born in Salinas and raised in California… he is one of us.

John Casper,

Valley Girl quit FDL. Did you know?

No I did not know that and it hurts to hear it. A wonderful lady.

Re: Depressed.
I am not foolish enough to say Cheer Up.

Mr. Casper has some valid points though.

The fact that RGJoe has a big wet spot in his knickers is quite entertaining for me.

NCJim - yea, I want my rose back too. She has taken stands that we applauded in the past but let’s review them. Were they ‘easy’ already decided votes or issues where she could voice opposition without consequences?

Standing with Joe, probably because of some pressure from somewhere (ooooh let me guess) speaks of her fear of losing her funding.

That speaks volumes to me. Did she vote for the support of Israel having the ‘right’ to defend itself? No questions asked? I bet she did.

61, the header on a newspaper is called the flag. :)

Yeah, that was fun this morning.

Maura forgot to ask for her rose back; she didn’t think she was even going to ask a question, but she had the opportunity and simply winged it.

And winged Boxer, too, from the look of it!

I’ve got more video to edit, but I gotta finish up work and then head up to Waterbury for the post-Big Dog Ned-fest they’re having.

Did anyone notice my voice waiver right at the end? That was an entire morning’s worth of nerves that poured out, which built up after being that close for that long to Holy Joe.

Jeez…that guy is creepy!

See ya later!

Thanks to Maura and CTbob for having the metaphorical huevos to do that!

And just a word to those who don’t want to bring down someone like Boxer, because of her progressive credentials: In California, it is EXTREMELY unlikely that a Republican of any stripe could beat whoever the Democratic nominee would be in any senate race. Having a REAL progressive in that officially endorsed Dem slot is extremely unlikely to be a threat to the party. There are just WAY too many Dem voters in the state who would never vote Repub.

So by all means, do not have any fear whatsoever to threaten to “lieberman” either Boxer or Feinstein.

(I actually like Boxer’s positions on most issues, but her unwillingness to even show the courtesy to RESPOND to my emails has really pissed me off. She, like Holy Joe, seems to think that her position is an appointed one and not an elected one).

Did you all see this great snark from Arianna about Big Dogs visit to Conn…..LMAO

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/.....25706.html

A Liar or Lamont…

Nice soundbite Ghost…

Larry

What on Earth was Joe hoping to accomplish today by having, what, a press conference in a closed candy store on a Monday morning?

What a waste of political capital to bring in a US Senator for a rinky-dink event like that.

I’m glad it was rinky-dink, but doesn’t anybody on his staff have any judgement?

You know what is interesting is watching Joe be so meek and defensive compared to the past. I recently watched this documentary in which he is interviewed about his contribution to the fall of the American Accounting industry and he was not as scared as he was when he was confronted today.
interesting

Okay. I just spoke with a very nice and polite staffer at Boxer’s Sacramento office. Of course he couldn’t “say anything” but he was open-minded and I felt he truly listened to my complaint about the senator’s appearance with Joe Lieberman today.

Also, I gave him the url to FDL and told him the video was up here. I got the idea he was interested and might come check the thread out.

I basically told him what I truly feel, that Barbara Boxer deserves better than she’s getting from Joe Lieberman and that the only thing that makes sense to me is that Joe’s people must have lied to Barbara’s people about what he actually said about contraception for rape victims.

im very happy that you are getting this all on video…..because i wouldnt believe it if i didnt see it.

From today’s Froomkin, with regard to the Saudi visit to the Oval (emphasis mine):

Michael Abramowitz and Robin Wright write in The Washington Post: “The Saudi foreign minister personally urged President Bush yesterday to intervene to stop the violence in Lebanon, the most direct sign of mounting frustration among key Arab states with what they see as a hands-off U.S. posture toward Israeli strikes against Hezbollah.

“In an Oval Office meeting yesterday afternoon, Prince Saud al-Faisal said, he delivered a letter to Bush from Saudi King Abdullah asking for U.S. help in arranging an immediate cease-fire, a stance U.S. officials have repeatedly rejected on the grounds that it is premature. U.S. officials would not comment directly on the request, saying only that the two sides discussed the humanitarian situation, reconstruction and how to end the violence.”

While there’s no evidence that the visit will have any effect on U.S. policy, it is worth noting that Bush cut short his planned stay in Crawford to meet with the Saudis.

Two things he’s cut pig-farm trips short for are: first, Terri’s Law and, now, Lebanon reconstruction discussions with the Saudis.

He is the Saudi’s President.

Yeah CTBob and Maura, Rockin’ in SONO!

that was a smart move giving the Boxer staffer the link to the video here — it’ll get passed around in the office — staffers love to see stuff about their boss !

This is the fax that I sent: Dear Senator Boxer: You were wrong today when you misstated Sen. Lieberman’s comments about rape victims. I’ve attached the actual New Haven Register article for your recollection. Please don’t twist the facts, that’s what the GOP does. Rape victims already have enough problems to deal with.

CT Bob & Maura…

Thank you for the great film footage. Also, I would like to apologize for the arrogant, condescending treatment you received from Senator Boxer. I am ashamed to be her constituent today.

Busted at 12:56, yeah I really don’t know all the details. She was moderating on a thread with a lot of trolls….. I know she had some issues with how much time she was spending here versus her job responsibilities. Karen Allen was one of the big starters of the netroots, before they were called that. She really invested a lot in Ohio politics and imho it was her activism that probably helped Jane, Christy, and Pach think up the whole idea of netroots along with Kos and others. I often hope they still lurk here.

the candy store event was just a media availability — Babs and Joe were hurrying off to a private FUNDRAISER — that’s the real reason for the trip to CT

Here’s a shorter version of the Boxer/Lie news clip;

WARNING %^$@#* foul language.

Joe on the question of whether he’d support Lamont or Schlesinger in the general:

“I don’t answer hypotheticals.”

Can we please please please please get some unified follow-up on this ridiculously puerile rejoinder?!?

Hadassah: Joe, if it rains tomorrow, should we cancel the picnic?

Joe: I don’t answer hypotheticals.

H: If the whole engine needs rebuilding, should we just get a new car?

J: I don’t answer hypotheticals.

H: If those dishes are clean, will you unload them?

J: I don’t answer hypotheticals.

Screamin’ heap o’ crap, I’m tired of it.

The effective journalist’s reply to the “I don’t answer hypotheticals” is

“Yes, you do, all the time. It’s what any thinking, PREPARING entity does: consider hypotheticals. You simply don’t want to answer THIS hypothetical? Why NOT!?”

Ok. I feel better now.

Well, not really.

But everyone here is swell. :)

P.

this video saddens me. I think Boxer is a great Senator, but she is dead wrong on this one. Oh well, we can’t have it all.

CTBob and Maura, you both put on a clinic of being polite and firm!!
Way to go!

puppethead 77:

It’s pretty pathetic to see Boxer try to “clarify” Lieberman’s comments, when he was only a couple of feet away.

No kidding! That was my first thought. I expected little Joe to lean his head on her shoulder and start sucking his thumb. Pathetic.

Running from the press. Running from answering questions.

Barbara Boxer is making a joke of herself.

She thinks that by speaking in a serious measured voice, she can lie to the people of Conn.
Then she and Joe run for cover.

Kudos to CTBob and Maura - this is genius work.

Thank you for exposing Boxer as yet another politician who will say anything to cover her ass.

She is a huge disappointment.

As far as people leaving, Nov. 2004 took a huge toll on many people — especially those who gave their heart wholeheartedly to the process.

And ohio was the worst. Those who were (and still are) angry about Ohio and where yelling that there was fraud on every level there, and the silence of the dems (especially places like Kos) was absolutely defeating.

They will find a new level of helping, but probably will not put themselves on the frontlines anymore. Sad.

Surprised it hasn’t been poited out here - where in the hell is anything close to a “meltdown” here? She didn’t even seem rude, just sticking to her story. She’s wrong about the “short ride” comment and that deserves attention, but…WTF?

Don’t be so hard on Sen. Boxer. We need all the friends in D.C. that we can get.

Working in the Senate together, I would imagine that Senators would become close friends. Since she knows him on a personal level, she doesn’t believe he could say something as crass as “it shouldn’t take more than a short ride”, and believes him when he said he was misquoted.

This is why it is so important to get Joe out of Congress. He has a corrosive effect on the other Democrats. Getting Ned in there will hopefully turn the tide.

And you know what? Boxer’s trip won’t get Joe one extra vote. Anybody who is familiar enough with her won’t be voting for Joe anyways.

Giving Sen. Boxer a hard time may make us happy, but will it make her more likely or less likely to support progressive causes in the future?

(Oh, and GO NED!)

Great one Penman at 12:56.
Joe tells the whole CT Dem party to go Dick Cheney themselves with his “Plan B,” and then he is stunned when people are understandably pissed off. The CT Dem party is PAYING for a primary that Joe says is a waste of money.

DR your 106

With friends like Boxer who needs enemies. I say TRex her.

Was that Chip Reed from NBC near the end? Big dogs are out indeedy, if so.

woof.

This is a great clip that displays the Democrats in DC lack of strategy and unity.

America needs leadership FAST!

Condi Rice is in the middle east where she will work hard to avoid peace. “We don’t want a cease fire right away” says Ms. Rice.

Hey- she could have worked hard to do nothing from right here couldn’t she?

Yes, it was angie.

Kurt at 84: Keep in mind that it’s not just about replacing someone who’s “mostly good,” it’s about being able to make a credible threat that they might be replaced to put pressure on them so they don’t assume they can get away with not being good.

DR@106 screw Boxer…who cares if SHE is happy. She is also replaceable.

John Casper #96:

I miss them, too. Like Busted, I hope they’re still lurking.

VG’s thing must’ve happened when I was out of town. I just assumed she was on vacation. Damn!

I just got off the phone with Sen. Boxer’s San Diego office. I asked the staffer about the Lieberman quote in the New Haven Register. He said that they “have no statement on that issue” and that they attempt to keep political and governing issues seperate.

Somebody should sort of let Boxer know that politics, in a democracy, is the way the people hold people like her and Leiberman accountable for the way they govern. Her perception (or to be fair maybe just her staffer’s perception) of a split between politics and government sums up the whole Beltway/incumbency mentality ….