More - "The Great Connecticut Senatorial Iraq Debate"

The Hartford Courant' New England Magazine has posted its article about The Great Connecticut Senatorial Iraq Debate.

Rinker Buck summed up the entire debate in these two sentences.

Sen. Christopher J. Dodd wasted no time Wednesday making it clear that, whatever his reservations about Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman's strong support of the Iraq War, he'll close ranks behind his fellow Democrat and support his re-election campaign this fall.

[. . .]

Dodd steadfastly refused to be drawn into the recriminations over how the war began and whether Lieberman's unflinching support for it has provided rare Democratic comfort for a Republican administration.

One of my favorite exchanges was Lieberman's response when questioned about being perceived as a war hawk:

SINDLAND: Now, Sen. Lieberman, you've obviously taken some heat for your stand on the war, and I'm sure that you're aware of some of the local headlines.

They're painting you as a war hawk. Are you a war hawk?

LIEBERMAN: Well, look. You've got to do what you believe is right. I understand that the position I've taken on the war is controversial. But honestly, when it comes to matters of security, we've got a constitutional responsibility to provide for the common defense and to do what we think is right. And that's what I've done. So it's my responsibility to explain to the people of Connecticut why I've taken this position [and] to hope, even if they disagree with me, that they respect the fact that I've done what I think is right for the country.

SINDLAND: This could have you in a Democratic primary [with challenger] Ned Lamont.

LIEBERMAN: We'll see. I mean that's up to other people to decide. But look, I consider public service to be a privilege. To represent the people of Connecticut in the United States Senate is a privilege and an honor. It's not my right. And every time I come up for election, I have to earn the right to continue that service. That's what I intend to do in this election based on what I've been able to do for the state of Connecticut, working with great colleagues like Chris Dodd, and also based on my plans for the future. [I] ask people to understand my position on Iraq, but also if they disagree with it, to respect the fact that I'm doing what I think is right -- I'm not doing it for political reasons -- and that they'll judge the overall record of service.

Then there was this in response to a reader’s question about putting personal beliefs above the people:

LIGHTMAN: She asks: "Do you think it is right for you to put your beliefs above the people? If so, why?"

LIEBERMAN: Well, you don't make public policy by reading polls. I think that ultimately the people of Connecticut and of the country elect leaders to do what they think is right. And also, frankly, to try to work together with other members of Congress to produce results. So ultimately you do that, and incidentally, if you do that -- if you do what you think is right -- you're able to sleep better at night, and that's important too.

SINDLAND: Sen. Dodd?

DODD: Listen, first of all, you listen to your constituents all the time. It's very, very critically important. And they need to know you're listening to them. And ultimately you're sent down to make the right decision because you're supposed to have access to more information and so forth. And so I agree with Joe, and that's what I admire about Joe. We talked about our differences here. Joe Lieberman is a person of deep conviction. And I admire the fact that despite the poll numbers, he sticks with his convictions. He's also a reasonable member of the Senate. And we need more civility and more thoughtfulness in the conduct of our foreign policy.

The transcript of the entire discussion is available here. You can also follow links on this page to video's of the observers' reaction to the discussion, including mine.

I again commend the Courant for developing this innovative approach of allowing readers to observe and comment on a talking head show and encourage the Courant to continue pursue this interesting interactive format.

Comments

[M]

Talking of constituents:[I] ask people to understand my position on Iraq, but also if they disagree with it, to respect the fact that I'm doing what I think is right -- I'm not doing it for political reasons -- and that they'll judge the overall record of service.
Holy Save a Jew for Jesus Joe is such a congenial bullshitter. He stonewalls his constituents on the Iraq debacle. He told Connecticut citizens he would *lead* the filibuster against Alito, and then votes against it and sends prochoice citizens a smug smarmy letter. The only time he's an attentive senator is when he talks to the CEO of Pfizer: you're doing god's work.(Yeah! at the price of spiking healthcare costs.) The road to hell is paved with political opportunism.

[tom lenihan]

Having 2 draft dodgers discuss military strategy is truly comical. Lieberman in particular. is a phoney in every respect. His parading as GI Joe and patriarch of family values is truly out of touch with his own personal history. Connecticut deserves better.