Reflections on Ned Lamont’s appearance on Connecticut Local Politics.
Submitted by Aldon Hynes on Wed, 01/18/2006 - 21:35
This is my summarized digest of Ned Lamont’s appearance on Connecticut Local Politics. To see the full set of comments, visit http://connecticutlocalpolitics.blogspot.com/2006/01/ned-lamont-qa.html
First and foremost, I am very glad that Ned Lamont showed up and participated in a good give and take. I firmly believe that these sort of discussions are crucial in strengthening democracy in our country. Whether or not in the end he decides to run, he has already done an important service in encouraging debate about the issues that matter.
The blog was acting weird and comments were not showing up consistently, so it made the conversation a little more stilted than other blogging conversations. Also, I’m not sure that Mr. Lamont has found his online voice yet. I liked what he had to say, but I wish he had of said it a little more strongly at times.
With that, let me extract some of his comments and focus on the issues a little bit. He was asked about his role with the Brookings Institute and about universal health care. He responded:
“I am serving on the Business Advisory Group at Brookings. High healthcare premiums are a burden on small businesses which must compete with other businesses which may not offer healthcare, and healthcare costs are a burden on large businesses which compete with companies in other countries where healthcare is a government financed benefit.”
Later on, he continued on the health care discussion saying, “Back on healthcare, first and foremost I will use the bully pulpit as a candidate and hopefully as a senator to make universal affordable healthcare a priority for this country. Senator Lieberman has not really addressed this crisis during his three terms.”
On international affairs, he said, “Our rush to war in Iraq hurt our relationship with key allies and the United Nations. We are a stronger nation and better able to fight the war on terror when we work in concert with our allies and the UN.”
“The Bush administration is playing fast and loose with our civil liberties and using the war as an excuse to weaken the bill of rights. Democrats must stand united against this assault on our liberties.”
“You are correct that Murtha and others have stated that Iraqis should assume the front line positions as American troops take a less visible role. Even General Casey's testimony states that our troops' frontline presence 'fuels the insurgency' by reinforcing the perception that we are an occupier. Only when we pull back will the Iraqis step up to their own defense. Murtha, Ct's Congressman Larson and others follow this strategy.”
When asked about civil liberties, Mr. Lamont responded, “The Bush administration is playing fast and loose with our civil liberties and using the war as an excuse to weaken the bill of rights. Democrats must stand united against this assault on our liberties.”
He also said that “The Democrats should unite in opposing Judge Alito- see civil liberties, choice- he represents a deciding vote and a fundamental shift in the court. Democrats must fight this nomination vigorously.”
On torture, he said, ”I wish that our Senator has spoken out clearly against torture and opposed our attorney general who's memo seemed to provide the legal cover.”
Summing up the policy issues, he said, “We Democrats have to speak out much more forcefully on where we stand, starting with the fact that the invasion of Iraq was a foreign policy blunder for this country with negative longterm consequences in terms of our alliances, our fiscal house, our military stretched thin, and a huge distraction in the war on terror and homeland security.”
Concerning running, he said “As part of my process in deciding whether to run, we'll have a web site up by early next month so I can solicit your feedback, even from my friends as far away as Illinois. The web will make clear how you can help.”
“Assuming a go decision, I have taken a leave from my company and will devote 100% to winning the Democratic primary.”
In terms of his relationship with the Democratic Party, he said
“No Third parties for me; I stay a Democrat.” I suspect this was a dig at Sen. Lieberman who told reporters he would consider running as an independent. Lamont went on to say, “I'll challenge my party's leadership when I think they are wrong (which is rare)and challenge the President's policies when they're wrong (which is frequent).”
As a final note, he commented “I'll be in New Haven on the 28th at 10:30 am, public library.” I hope many of you will be able to attend.
Great Post
Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 01/18/2006 - 21:54.I just wanted to let you know I included a link to this on my Ned Lamont resource page. (In the "On the Blogs" section).
I'm really excited about the possibility of unseating Joe...hopefully I'll see you at one of the Lamont events.
Peace!
Thanks
Submitted by Aldon Hynes on Wed, 01/18/2006 - 22:06.I'm glad you liked the post and I'm glad you have the Ned Lamont resource page. I think it will be a valuable resource.
Lamont's answer
Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 01/20/2006 - 11:03.“You are correct that Murtha and others have stated that Iraqis should assume the front line positions as American troops take a less visible role. Even General Casey's testimony states that our troops' frontline presence 'fuels the insurgency' by reinforcing the perception that we are an occupier. Only when we pull back will the Iraqis step up to their own defense. Murtha, Ct's Congressman Larson and others follow this strategy.”
Aldon this was in answer to my question in part. General Casey does not support Murtha's strategy and Lamont was wrong to weave it in the way he did.
Daffy
Daffy, I must respectfully d
Submitted by Aldon Hynes on Fri, 01/20/2006 - 11:54.Daffy, I must respectfully disagree with you. While Murtha and Casey may not agree on the strategy on how best to address Bush's failed Iraq policies, they both recognize that the troops frontline presense is detrimental.
An important part of addressing any problem is recognizing that we have a problem. Ned Lamont, Rep. Murtha, and General Casey all recognize that there is a problem. Unfortunately, Sen. Lieberman and people in the Bush administration seem not to recognize that there is a problem.
I do hope that Mr. Lamont runs and we can have an informed discussion about what strategies can best address the failed strategies of the Bush administration.
General Casey
Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 01/20/2006 - 14:34.Aldon: Casey is in charge in Iraq and he just signed on to stay another year. Casey's words were absolutley taken out of context probably because Mr. Lamont has no military experience. Casey's words were in response to the proposal to add more troops to the mix in Iraq; a proposal that he does not support. I'm not saying a word about Bush here.
And this will be my last post using the WB's Daffy
Casey's context and the media
Submitted by Aldon Hynes on Fri, 01/20/2006 - 15:56.If Casey's words were absolutely taken out of context, you probably should be placing the blame on the media and not on Mr. Lamont. As an example, the Seattle Times reports:
During his congressional testimony, Army Gen. George Casey, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, also said that troop reductions were required to "take away one of the elements that fuels the insurgency, that of the coalition forces as an occupying force."
A smaller U.S. presence could deflate some of the anger feeding the insurgency, Casey suggested.
I suspect that it is one of the many reports like this which led Mr. Lamont to make his comments.
Damn you Aldon
Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 01/20/2006 - 17:07.I don't want a US Senator who bases his positions on what the media says but you can be as apologetic as you want. And at eh risk of getting a trademark infringement compalint I'm sincerely
Daffy
Nice try but...
Submitted by Aldon Hynes on Fri, 01/20/2006 - 18:08.I think it is a stretch to say that Lamont is basing his position on what the media says. Do you have anything to substantiate this? I don't know where Lamont got his information. Do you? I just did a very simple search to find that the media backs up what Lamont is saying. For all I know, Lamont may have gotten the information from his connections with the Brookings Institute, a briefing from political advisors, etc.
one more time
Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 01/21/2006 - 16:25.Daffy's point was that if he followed what Aldon was saying then Lamont appeared to be basing his position based on information from the media; not adopting the media's position.
Signed: Donald (Daffy's half brother in the water and weeds)
Reflections?
Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 01/20/2006 - 13:48.I hardly think that qualified as "reflections." More like summary. I read some good analysis of this on Connecticut Conservative, which can be found Here At Connecticut Conservative. I know I found that to be much more enlightening.
Symantics
Submitted by Aldon Hynes on Fri, 01/20/2006 - 16:02.When I started summarizing Mr. Lamont's questions and answers I was hoping to provide additional reflections on what he said, but in the end that didn't happen. I apologize if the title is confusing to you.
I also want to thank you for pointing to the post over on Connecticut Conservative. However, I would suggest that your describing that post as a 'good analysis' is also highly questionable.