The Democratic Party, the Iraq War and Joe Lieberman

Hosted by
Joe Lieberman coasted to an easy re-election victory six years ago, when he was also on the ballot as Al Gore's presidential running mate. Now, his ardent support for the war in Iraq has him in the fight of his political life for his party's nomination against businessman Ned Lamont, a strong anti-Iraq war candidate, and left-wing Internet bloggers, who've turned the Connecticut Senator into Public Enemy Number One in next month's primary election. Lieberman says he will run as an independent if he does not win his party's nomination, and the primary race has become an unwelcome distraction for a number of high profile democrats, some with presidential aspirations. Will divisions over the war hurt the party's chances of reclaiming Congress in November? Could there be ramifications for the party's presidential hopes in '08? Conan Nolan guest hosts. (An extended version of this program was originally broadcast earlier today on To the Point.) Reporter's Notebook: Disputed Mexican Election Felt by US, Mexican AmericansIts historic second free presidential election has left Mexico bitterly divided along political lines. National Action Party candidate Felipe Calderon won only 220,000 votes of 41 million cast, but leftist candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has demanded a recount, claiming fraud and voting irregularities. Political scientist Fernando Guerra considers the impact of election results on Mexican Americans and relations with the US.
Joe Lieberman coasted to an easy re-election victory six years ago, when he was also on the ballot as Al Gore's presidential running mate. Now, his ardent support for the war in Iraq has him in the fight of his political life for his party's nomination against businessman Ned Lamont, a strong anti-Iraq war candidate, and left-wing Internet bloggers, who've turned the Connecticut Senator into Public Enemy Number One in next month's primary election. Lieberman says he will run as an independent if he does not win his party's nomination, and the primary race has become an unwelcome distraction for a number of high profile democrats, some with presidential aspirations. Will divisions over the war hurt the party's chances of reclaiming Congress in November? Could there be ramifications for the party's presidential hopes in '08? Conan Nolan guest hosts. (An extended version of this program was originally broadcast earlier today on To the Point.)
  • Reporter's Notebook: Disputed Mexican Election Felt by US, Mexican Americans
    Its historic second free presidential election has left Mexico bitterly divided along political lines. National Action Party candidate Felipe Calderon won only 220,000 votes of 41 million cast, but leftist candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has demanded a recount, claiming fraud and voting irregularities. Political scientist Fernando Guerra considers the impact of election results on Mexican Americans and relations with the US.
Guest host Conan Nolan is reporter for KNBC in Los Angeles, who has covered national and local news stories since 1986. He's also worked as a television news reporter and sports anchor, as well as a public radio political reporter in San Luis Obispo, California.

Joe Lieberman's senatorial campaign

Ned Lamont's senatorial campaign

Chait's (TNR) article on blogosphere's campaign against Lieberman

Chait's (LA Times) article on Democrats' foolishness in forsaking Lieberman for Lamont

PRD candidate Andr--s Manuel L--pez Orbrador

PAN candidate Felipe Calder--n

PRI candidate Roberto Madrazo Pintado

Credits

Host:

Warren Olney

Producer:

Frances Anderton