Brash kid (50+) knocks the partriarch out of the box.
Oedipus Ned accomplished this by cleverly creating the illusion that he was running against Bush rather than against a fellow Left-wing Dem.
Indeed, there is much illusion involved in this event. The movement Dems are doubtless thrilled: it must feel like Gene McCarthy all over again. But as the News Junkie noted yesterday, what kind of victory, really, is a victory over your own family, so to speak? This was a family battle, which damaged their family - the Dem family.
Another illusion: Lieberman, I have no doubt, assumed he had his job for life, and that his prominence and popularity made him unassailable. That is understandable, but it was unwise. He is not a shoe-in as an independent, because he will be up against the CT Dem machine, and everyone is sick of Iraq, and weary of with dealing with the entire Jihad disease. And Lieberman is far too liberal for most Repubs and Independents to get excited about. On the other hand, people like him anyway, and he's on the right side of the major issue of the time.
Another illusion: Ned may be the Oedipal hero of this story, thus far, but he bought this election with his own cash, and has not yet been subjected to serious scrutiny. Nobody knows who he is, yet, because thus far it has been internecine war. Lieberman will play hardball this time.
Another illusion: This Dem primary was driven by Bush-hatred primarily, and by anti-Iraq feelings secondarily. But it's the anti-Iraq aspect that will carry some weight. However, the anti-Iraq piece will have more trouble bearing political fruit if it is part of an overall appeasement and anti-Israel policy. Most Americans recognize that there is a Jihadist threat, that evil and danger do exist in the world. The magnitude of that threat becomes more apparent daily. Ned and his supporters are in serious denial if they believe these people just need to be treated better.
So - what do the results say? 1. About half of CT Dems are really tired of Iraq on the news. 2. About half of CT Dems are fond of Lieberman, and/or see the war as a necessary evil. None of that is very surprising, but it is a bit sad to see so little party loyalty to one of their party's decent guys.
One final thought: Many, I believe, are ready to throw Israel overboard if it will appease the Jihadists. In my opinion, anything you give these folks just makes them hungry for more. The Denial Dems are foolish - and do not love their country enough to want to defend it vigorously.
Image: Ned and Friends: Ned with noted race-hustler and con-artist (on left), and noted race pimp, race extortionist, and anti-Semitic adulterer (on right). Photo from last night, in Ned's hometown paper, this morning:
