Joe Lieberman has dragged out the bear ad again. Remember the bear ad from 1988? In it, Sen. Lowell Weicker was portrayed as a sleeping bear who had missed too many votes. Now, apparently, the bear has a cub. You can watch the ad here on Lieberman's website.
The same DC consultant hit man, Carter Askew, designed both ads. The new one shows Weicker coming out of his cave, still angry 18 years later that Joe Lieberman beat him. But he's too lazy to run again. "Instead of coming out of hibernation," the narrator informs us, "he sent his bear cub instead." (In fact, Weicker had nothing to do with Lamont choosing to run for Senate.) It portrays Lamont as a whining, hop-about baby who doesn't want to run against Lieberman because he previously gave Lieberman a campaign contribution. "But I agree with the Republicans 80 percent of the time!" cartoon Lamont protests in a shrill toddler's voice. But as a "cub" he has to listen to the big bear.
The new ad brings another modern Beltway campaign attack mode to Connecticut: Bush adviser Karl Rove's strategy of taking your own weakness and turning it into your opponent's weakness instead, through relentless misrepresentation of facts. (Bass)
The evidence does in fact suggest that Weicker didn't have a hand in urging Lamont to run. Yes, there are Weicker/Lamont connections (Lamont was a Weicker appointee in the 1990s, there are several high-profile Weicker people working for or around the Lamont campaign, and Weicker is holding a fundraiser for Lamont this weekend), but the idea of Weicker forcing Lamont to run is nuts.
While the Lamont ads have at times attacked Lieberman (the dog ad, for example), the attacks from Lieberman's camp have been much more vicious, more personal, and prone to focusing on small details that are either old, taken out of context, or entirely made up.
The bear ad worked in 1988 because it capitalized on voters' long-simmering dislike of Weicker, who had been in the Senate for eighteen years. But now, most people have only dim memories of Weicker as a senator or even as governor. An attack ad primarily featuring Weicker the Bear seems out of place and odd, and the depiction of Lamont as a hyper bear cub with a squeaky voice in a pink shirt (was that deliberate? I have to think so) is the worst sort of personal attack.
It's pathetic. Joe Lieberman should be better than this. The image he's crafted for himself of a noble, conscience-driven statesman demands that he be better than this. People support Lieberman because they believe he's a good man. If he keeps slinging this kind of toxic mud, they may change their minds.
Ironically, so far the Lieberman ads have had little effect on polls. Lamont continues to gain. What if Joe Lieberman just sacrificed his credibility and his noble image for nothing?
Source
Bass, Paul. "The Bear Is Back." New Haven Independent 16 June, 2006.
10 comments:
Disgruntled...
I agree that the Sleeping Bear Ad is funny. Just as funny as the one Lieberman ran against Weicker 18 years ago.
However, still think Alan Schlesinger's chances are slim.
Weicker never actually ran for re-election (for more info on 1990 and 1994, click here and here--I'[ve written brief histories on the subject), but he wasn't well-liked for enacting the income tax. People still grumble a little about him, but nothing serious.
I actually like Gov. Weicker. He did what he thought was right, even though it basically ended his political career.
Bruce, Disgruntled or others....
My criticism of Alan Schlesinger is nothing personal.
He does not strike me as a vialble candidate to win the US Senate Race.
Where has he been? Have read nothing from new him in the press since the State Convention.
Again, he strikes me as an opportunist. Dont see this grand political prize of a US Senate seat being handed to him on a silver platter.
Charles gaba..
Personally I am glad That The Lieberman Campaign is pointing out Weicker's Support of Lamont.
They are both from or originally were from Greenwich.
Lowell Weicker is the absolute WORST US Senator and Governor The State of Connecticut has ever had in its History.
Weicker was a big liar He ran on the promise There would be No State Income Tax Because That would be like throwing Gasoline on
a fire and then he turns around and slaps the state with an Income Tax.
Ned Lamont is in this race for one reason He is an ANTI IRAQ WAR Candidate and that is his only issue.
I am getting so tired of people pushing this anti war crap.
Yesterday I went to a Selectman's Meeting in my town and Someone yahoos submitted a petition calling for the Impeachment of George W Bush and Dick Cheney at a Special Town Meeting After a lengthy Discussion The Board of Selectman rejected the meeting on a 2-1 vote.
I think Bush and Cheney suck Do I think what they have done is impeachable? NO.There is a fringe out there that are so consumed about ending this war.
That is why I will not vote for Ned Lamont.I think People need to understand we are at war and have to stay until it is resolved.We have lost too many lives to pull out of there now.
Also if we dont stand up too these barbarians they would be bringing the terrorism and war to us.So we either fought them on their turf or they will be in ours.
Everyone think about it. I know my vote on Primary Day is with Joe Lieberman Maybe his stance isnt popular But its right.
A quote "Sometimes what Popular isnt always Right But What's right isn't always Popular" I saw that somewhere But it fits Joe Lieberman in regards to his support of the war and our troops.
Disgruntled...
If the Senate Race will have coat tails, it wont be alan schlesinger dragging people in.
Trust me.
There WILL be someone else on that Republican line - shortly after August 8th - if Lamont knocks off Lieberman in a Primary.
Chairman Gallo all but said it in the Roll Call interview I posted.
Just cant tell you who that person is - its a secret.
I have complete confidence in Senator Lieberman and I think the Primary Results will show that this anti war stand of Ned Lamont and having that pinhead Lowell Weicker throw him a ritzy cocktail party and give him an endorsement will backfire is not a thing to be proud of.
With Weicker it is all about being in the limelight and sticking it to Joe That is why as the button said at the convention"Im Sticking with Joe"
Ned Lamont will not get my vote in August,November or ever.This guy suddenly appears on the scene only after Lowell"The Bear" Weicker starts threatening to come out of retirement and challenge Lieberman.
My guess is Weicker convinced Ned to run for Senator.
You guys who don't like Joe thats fine and you are entitled to your opinion. But there is one person BR who feels he has a right to label people as Operatives and Staffers which is not right.
BR you and your followers can keep on attacking me But unless you have proof of something Then lets end it.We know you have been involved in campaigns and that you think you are prominent in this state and that you are well connected.But the blogs are for discussion and debate and not imitidation and one way discussion.
BR you need to let EVERYONE express their viewpoints and same goes for others here who feel they "own" the blog.
GC and his crew set this up so all of us can discuss topics.
It seems to be people who support DeStefano and Lamont who are on here spewing The Garbage and not allowing the opposing side to have a say and accusing people of being operatives and staffers
Lets have a debate But lets stop the intimidation,the one way crap and really this only pertains to a few of the bloggers led by Bruce who is the main source of the problem.
Litchfield....
BR does this behavior with anyone whom does not share the same opinion as he does.
I am just so tired of him name calling,accusing people of being an operative or a staffer.
I live in Litchfield County and I have been involved with the Democratic Party in my town for nearly 25 years and Im only 42.
BR needs to change or refine his "my opinion is the only opinion" tactic and he needs to stop intimidating people with differing viewpoint than his. I am sure there are others who are here that agree He doesnt scare me at all.
Somedays the bear gets you, apparently.
BR....
I think Chris MC has more people who listen to what he has to say than you do.Because He isn't trying to intimidate everyone like you do.
Maybe if you opened your ears and listened to differing viewpoints We could maybe respect your opinions a bit more.
Everyone else Bluecoat,mmm jodi rell,rell is going down and others have my respect Because they cut to the chase and don't play the imtimidation game like you do.I know they dont agree with me much and vice versa But they show more class than you do BR!!!!!
I will continue to post my comments on this blog If I cant live up to your high standards Oh Well.
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