Dear Democrats: Don't Get Wrong Idea From Lieberman Defeat

In the wake of Senator Joseph Lieberman's loss in the Connecticut primary, some commentators have suggested that the Democratic Party should adopt an "anti-war" message. Consider this recent post from noted blogger Glenn Greenwald:

As I argued in this post on C&L last weekend, the so-called "anti-war" position has clearly become the solidly mainstream position, and it is neoconservative warmongering that is the fringe and radical position.

A Lamont victory -- indeed, Lamont himself -- provides a very visceral illustration of just how mainstream anti-war (and anti-neoconservative) sentiments are, which is a significant factor as to why a Lieberman victory has become so important for neoconservatives.

Let's be clear about a few things. First, an anti-war position is not "solidly mainstream." According to a recent poll by CBS, only 19% of the American public believes that the U.S. should withdraw all troops immediately, as opposed to 38% that believe the U.S. should remain as long as necessary. This is not to say that Americans are not anxious about the direction of the war. They are. The same poll shows that 64% of those surveyed think that Bush does not have a clear plan for handling the situation in Iraq. But let's not equate anxiety (or even discontent) with a Vietnam-like movement.

Second, Republicans are not concerned with the Connecticut race because they view Lieberman as a critical ally. Rather, they love it because it provokes Democrats (like Mr. Greenwald) to sound the anti-war tune and hail the return of the 60s. It makes Democrats look weak on security and out of touch.

Finally, Lieberman did not lose the primary because he supported the war. He lost because he came off as Bush's boot licker. Even as sectarian violence mounted, even as electricity remained patchy, even as the oil production stagnated, Lieberman refused to question the Bush administration's efforts. His seemingly bottomless optimism was just too much to take. To top it off, he threatened to leave the party and run as an independent at the very moment that Democrats were asking: "Is he one of us?" Not a bright move.

If Democrats are smart, they will avoid a bring-home-the-troops message this campaign season. Instead, they will make targeted attacks on the war's execution, emphasize the need to develop a plan to end the conflict, and above all, let the pictures and videos from Iraq speak for themselves. The GOP will flounder on its own, if the Democrats will just get out of the way.

Lieberman, Bush, GOP, Democrats, Greenwald