Lieberman's New Consultants: 1 R, 1D
Joe Lieberman's indie CT SEN campaign sent out a release to announce the hiring of two new consultants: media/direct mail consultant Josh Isay and pollster Neil Newhouse. Isay mostly works with Dems, with his most prominent former employer being Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), the current DSCC chair. Isay ran Schumer's '98 bid, though has not worked with Schumer this cycle. Isay also has done work for Republican NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Of course, Bloomberg mostly uses Dem consultants, not GOP consultants.
The more curious hiring, of course, is Newhouse, a partner in one of the most prestigious Republican polling firms in the country, Public Opinion Strategies. On the merits, Newhouse is a great hire as he and his firm have one of the best reputations in the business, both with their clients and with the media, including us. But what makes the hiring curious is that Newhouse is a Republican and has a slew of clients who will likely raise the ire of Democrats, particularly activist Democrats.
This cycle, Newhouse's most notable client is PA Sen. Rick Santorum. (Subscribers, click here of The Hotline's consultant scorecard.) The Lieberman release, of course, makes no mention of Santorum, but does note Newhouse's client relationship with the very popular GOP CT Gov. Jodi Rell. Newhouse is also the chief pollster for one of the Democrats' top House targets, CT 02 GOP Rep. Rob Simmons.
In '04, the firm worked for the biggest Dem killer of the cycle, John Thune, who knocked off Tom Daschle. And in '02, the firm's biggest name client? None other than a Bush, Jeb Bush, that is, in FL.
So which headline will the Lamont folks use in their release? Lieberman hires "Bush" pollster? Lieberman hires Santorum pollster? The party I.D. of a pollster isn't going to make or break this race. However, as Lieberman tries to maneuver in DC and lobby for his Dem seniority should he win, moves like this could cost him support with key Dem leaders. Then again, maybe Lieberman wants some senior Dems to think he could flirt with the GOP so that he does, indeed, get his calls returned and more importantly get his seniority saved. [CHUCK TODD]
Hey Chuck Todd!
(Man,
You're like the Rock Star of politics.)
I live here in Connecticut.
And I like Joe.
and I like Ned too,
but...
Let's face it Todd.
I didn't grow up with no $20 million dollar
Trust fund.
And neither did you.
And neither did Joe.
J.P. Morgan can still influence
the course of elections
here in Connecticut,
one hundred years after
his death.
Now that's amazing!
When Ned was skiing San Moritz
in private school.
Joe was pulling the sled
up the hill.
He grew up over his dad's package store.
Joe pulled himself up
by his bootstraps.
I like that.
Ned and me
well..
we're from two different worlds baby!
I just can't relate Todd.
Joe's a "lunchbox" democrat.
He's no trustafarian.
Joe is the average "Joe".
(Just like you, Todd.)
And just like me.
Steve Real
Joe Lieberman's flirting with the GOP is looking a lot like Paris Hilton's "flirting" video. 'Flirting' bipartisanship is what Kent Conrad and John Sununu do on budget issues. When Karl Rove has you on speedy dial it isn't flirting, your skirt is already at your ankles. Joe Lieberman becoming a Democrat again has as much chance of happening as Jenna Jameson renewing her virginity.
I'm not surprised, at all, by Joe Lieberman's choice of Republican campaign consultants. He IS, in my opinion, a Republican. He walked, quacked, and voted, like a Republican. My concern is that his self-serving arrogance will diminish the Democratic vote and offer the Senate seat to the "Real" Republican running for office. Bottom line - He is STILL helping the Republicans; what a DOLT.
From Joe's website--
I am and will always be a proud, progressive, strong-on-defense Democrat. But I do not and will not hesitate to work across party lines when it will get things done for my constituents.
Kudos to Joe for hiring great people to get the job done well. He's a Centrist and if he chose only Democratss to work this field he'd be ridiculed, if he chose only Republicans to work this field he'd also be ridiculed. This is a unifying and purposeful choice--showing that Joe is entirely sincere in ending the wasteful ways of bitter partisanship.
Lamont, who has an umbilical attachement to far-left progressive bloggers, is going to have a VERY HARD TIME convincing anyone that he's mainstream. Lieberman's anti-partisan campaign position is a strong one and a darn good winning theme which is going to grow larger and Larger and LARGER.
Sorry, but what is kimerikas?
Jane.
Sorry, but what is kimerikas?
Jane.
Sorry, but what is kimerikas?
Jane.