A Letter to Joe Lieberman - On the edge of a downward spiral

Joe, Joe, Joe. Have some self-respect. Think about what is left of your legacy. You served the people of Connecticut and the United States for 18 years in the most powerful democratic representative body in the world. This is no small accomplishment. Congratulations to you and thank you for your service.

I know it's hard to concede defeat. You most likely envisioned yourself retiring after serving your country as president someday, or at the very least after a long and stellar career in Congress at a time of your own choosing.

But you got beat, Joe - fair and square. Nobody stole it from you like they did in 2000 and there were no evil voting machines fudging the numbers in perfect secrecy - the exit polling of the election matches the results. And there were no Republican dirty tricks designed to nominate a beatable anti-war candidate like they did with George McGovern in 1972. The Republicans were watching this race as much as the Democrats, and they wanted you to win as much as the liberals wanted you to lose.

Not only did you get beat fair and square, you got beat on the issues. The Democratic voters of Connecticut considered your stance on the Iraq War more than anything else, which is thought by many to be one of the worst mistakes ever made by the Unites States of America. They considered your unwavering support of the war and the president, even after it became clear long ago that the war was sold to us with lies and the strategy disastrous. The voters of Connecticut considered how you and you alone legitimized the constant fear-baiting of the Republicans with a shield of bipartisanship, even going so far as to proclaim that criticism of George W. Bush will bring our nation peril. How could you have possibly expected to retain their support?

I know, I know. You thought that Lamont wouldn't be able to touch you because you were a powerful incumbent with the Democratic Party at your side and a ton of special interest cash in your pocket. Well I'm sorry to be the one say it after you must surely already know, but every now and then democracy happens - even in the United States. And this time democracy happened to you.

With your decision to run as an independent, you are now standing at the edge of a downward spiral. It's time to make a choice: walk away, or start down the winding path to humiliation and disgrace.

Think about Ralph Nader, one of the most positive forces of the twentieth century whose efforts resulted in a cleaner environment, safer consumer products, and corporate accountability. A true outsider and idealist, he achieved countless benefits for the American public and helped bring government back to being a body that serves the people and not just the moneyed elite. But now he's remembered for one thing: throwing the 2000 election to George W. Bush and destroying the Green Party by trying to build it from the top instead of the grassroots.

And think about Colin Powell. That man could have been the first black president in the United States. He was a brilliant and intellectual soldier, and the most powerful voice of reason inside the reckless Bush White House. Now what is he? He's the guy who lied to the whole world at the United Nations about Saddam's weapons of mass destruction. He sold his soul that day. He chose to take a step down the spiral - just one step, and now he's stuck there for all time.

Now think of yourself. If you continue your independent campaign, you will be remembered as one of three things:

1. Lamont wins and you're the guy who wouldn't respect the choice of your party's voters and consequently lost to the same candidate twice in three months.
2. The Republicans take your Senate seat because you split the Democratic vote thereby extending for another term the disastrous policies with which you supposedly disagree.
3. Or perhaps worst of all, you are reelected atop a pile of Republican cash. You are the guy who spit in the face of the party that has served you so well for so long, and perhaps your independent seat even prevents the Democrats from having a majority in the Senate after a close outcome.

There is only one more possible choice.

4. Withdraw, and be remembered fondly my many after a long and celebrated career as a powerful senator.

For the sake of yourself, your former party, your nation, and millions around the world, please Joe, make the right choice.

could see and heed this before it is too late - his reputation will be tarnished for all time. Sad, so sad to end his career in disgrace, and trust me - One way or the other, it will be disgrace.

Where the gambler is thinking, "OK, I've broken even - I'll stop when I'm up by $100." Then he gets to $98, and starts losing again. Next thing you know he's in the hole by $300.

Quit Joe! Just walk away!

Nice job! :bounce: