Lieberman Concedes

Joe Lieberman made his concession announcement at 11:13 or thereabouts. Talking Points Memo reported Lamont as being up 3% with 94% of the vote in.

Not enough Joe-mentum.

Lamont's victory is the biggest take-down of a Democrat in a primary that I can remember and ranks right up there with the losses of Tom Daschle in 2004, Tom Foley in 1994, and Birch Bayh and George McGovern in 1980 as huge defeats for senior Democratic leaders. However, those losses were to Republicans. I can't think of any comparable primary defeats. Amazing.

One has to wonder if Lieberman's loss is going to be that significant to Joe Lieberman in the long run. Lieberman is friendly with the Republicans and comfortable in front of the camera. So, he shouldn't have a problem finding a new job. Given that he has been getting increasingly grumpy with liberal Democrats, Lieberman might find himself happier in his new position as well.

I hope all the prominent Democrats who rallied to Lieberman are tuned in because Joe's loss is also their loss. Lieberman's primary problem was his refusal to respect anti-war sentiment in the Democratic Party. It's time for Bill Clinton, James Carville, Chris Dodds, Barbara Boxer, John Lewis, and others to open themselves up the anti-war left and start integrating them into the Democratic Party apparatus.

Judging from the grilling she gave Donald Rumsfeld last week, it looks like Hillary is already getting the message. Her ability to keep learning as she goes along is one reason why she would make a good president.

Whether the Democratic leadership likes it or not, the anti-war movement is now a force.