Defeated at the starting gate

Politics | Lieberman isn’t the only incumbent to be tossed by voters in state primary battles | John Dawson

Years from now, liberal bloggers may look to Aug. 8 as the day they found their voice. To hear the "netroots" folks tell it, the victory of their Lilliputian candidate in Connecticut's Democratic senatorial primary compares favorably to David versus Goliath. After all, incumbent Sen. Joe Lieberman enjoyed a sizable experience edge over political neophyte—but millionaire—Ned Lamont. Yet Lamont became the choice of popular bloggers like Markos Moulitsas, founder of DailyKos.com, for his anti-war views.

Only two years ago Lieberman was a presidential candidate and was Al Gore's running mate in 2000. But Lieberman's hawkish support of the president's Iraq policy made him unpopular in a solidly blue state. Bloggers sensed blood and rushed to support Lamont months ago despite urgings from establishment Democrats like Bill Clinton to support Lieberman.