O.k...maybe it wasn't that bad, but could we please have a discussion of the African American vote without drifting into discussions about white people’s musical talents or lack there of?

Oh, hey here's an idea, why don't we look at Lamont, Lieberman, and Clinton's stances on issues facing African Americans, and see who stands better? Clinton and Lieberman both have voting records that can be analyzed, that's a place to start. For Lamont, well, we'll have to look at his personal history and his relationships with the African American Community prior to his decision to run for office. In his position as a Connecticut Millionaire, how much time did he dedicate to the advancement of the African American Community in Connecticut? What's his employment history with regard to African Americans? Does he belong to any clubs or organizations that either welcome or restrict membership based on race? Has he ever taken a stance for or against such an organization?

Is it such a radical notion to think that such a point by point comparison might show more about a candidate's fitness for office rather than whether or not they can carry a tune?

Of course perhaps the author thinks such nuanced comparisons are meaningless when discussing African Americans. I presume the author believes of African Americans that it don't mean a thing if you ain't got that swing.

"In the ensuing years, each has parked some of his youthful ideals and gotten behind the wheel of the shiny new centrism. And the Elton Hotel has become an assisted-living facility. Time is pitiless."

That's a great image, albeit one I would see a little differently. The so-called progressive movement calling for a return to liberalism pushes forth tired ideas. Ideas, frankly, that should rest with those in the assisted living facility. It is said conservatives protect the status quo, but when it comes to social programs, liberals have become the staunch defender of the status quo. Seeking different methods to address age old problems is not a bad thing. Great Society programs can and should be evaluated and modified as needed. Calling into question their worth and effectiveness should not immediately be met with attacks on one's commitment to the problem these programs address.

Taking Lieberman out will do nothing but put the party a step backwards. Oh, sure, Hillary will trim her sails and become more progressive, as she pivots faster than a well-oiled weathervane, but tacking left won't pick up many more voters in the general.

Lieberman's a highly principled man with whom I agree about half the time. I'll take that over a snake in the grass with principles of convenience any day of the week.

Just as the back-stabbed John McCain bizarrely and somewhat cravenly supported Bush in 2004 -- that awful hug photo -- the politician whose campaign started some very nasty rumors about him, and smeared his good name. . . just like with McCain we now have Bill Clinton triangulatin' his former supporters down the river for the most vocally pro-Republican Democrat in the Democratic party.

To me, Bill Clinton's positive aura isn't going to rub off on Joe. It's Joe's stink that's going to rub off on Clinton.

I am very disappointed --- again -- in Bill Clinton. He has again chosen badly.

If he must plug for that self-serving, out-of-touch windbag, lets hope that Clinton retains the political good sense to recommend, in the strongest possible language, that if Liebeman loses in the primary, he should forget about an independent bid. Sorry if your constituency doesn't want you as their representative anymore, Joe, but hey, who's fault is that?

A lot of Democrats supported Bush's illegal, pre-emptive war in Iraq; but, after 9/11, Joe Lieberman was among the first to suggest that it is unpatriotic to voice dissent openly, and to propose limiting academic freedom and the freedom of speech. The Bush Administration has pushed this "giving aid and comfort to the enemy" button over and over, fortunately to no avail. But Sen Lieberman's support for this notion takes him far right of center, into what looks a lot like fascism. Anyone to the left of Lieberman is definitely a progressive, maybe even a (gasp!) liberal.

My only fear is that if he loses the primary, Lieberman's candidacy as an Independent will split the Democratic vote and give the seat to the Republicans. That selfish, self-serving course of action will certainly end his political career. Wake up, Nutmeggins--the future of the Senate is in your hands!

...and Iraq is in flames and middle class jobs in America evaporate, Gwool tells us that liberal ideas are tired?

Guess what, we had 30 years of conservatism between the Great Society and now. Why don't you get with it?

Conservatism has failed. Median wages are declining. American strength is declining around the world. The world is becoming less peaceful. Americans have become dumber and less informed. Our inner cities are still rotting.

Liberals won WWII, brought us out of the Depression, and sent men to the moon. What can conservatism claim?

As far as Clinton, he's just an old tired hack now, like Lieberman.

Who cares.

There was a terrible article a few months back by Jacob Weisberg, editor of Slate, attempting to psychoanalyze Hillary Clinton via her iPod, and coming up with (surprise!) the Washington Insider Consensus: she's a phony. Even though her songs were basically middle-of-the-road rock, exactly what you'd expect a Baby Boomer to be listening to.

These pseudo-analyses are at best stupid fluff, and at worst a vehicle for the injection of media bias, as Salon's own Eric Boehlert confirms: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/eric-boehlert/the-media-dems-are-phony_b_21591.html

And, for the record, although "Imagine" might be Ned Lamont's best song to sing, he plays blues/stride piano pretty well. That doesn't really fit into Walter Shapiro's narrative of whiteness, which is probably why he didn't mention it.

Video at: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x1698262

Connecticutt is a very Blue State, the President has a 31% approval rating, about as low as it gets. http://tinyurl.com/keqts

Why should it have the President's favorite Democrat as its Senator? Have you seen "The Kiss" on YouTube? http://tinyurl.com/mqaz9

Help Ned Lamont here: http://www.actblue.com/page/blueamerica