Connecticut Sen. Lieberman’s defeat shows growing influence of bloggers on politics

The primary loss Tuesday of Democratic Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut was proof of the growing influence of those working to take control of the Democratic Party through the Internet.

In recent years, liberal blogs have formed across the nation, using the Internet in much the same way conservatives use AM talk radio.

Lieberman was a three-term senator and the Democrats’ vice presidential nominee in 2000. Long after 9/11, he continued to back President Bush’s actions in Iraq and the larger war on terrorism as most Democrats jumped ship.

Anger over that prompted many liberal bloggers to label Lieberman as Public Enemy No. 1. They made Lieberman’s primary defeat their mission.

As a blogger for Daily Kos, the national blog that led the charge, put it this morning:

“In one corner, you had a bunch of unpaid volunteers, Internet rabble-rousers, and an inexperienced politician whose highest post had been County Selectman.

“In the other, you had the three-time Senator, former vice-presidential candidate, visible party statesman, Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Harry Reid, Barbara Boxer, the other popular CT senator Dodd, most of Organized Labor, the women’s groups and the environmental groups, most of traditional Democratic party support, paid lobbyist support, paid armies of GOTV staff, the slick ad money, the top DLC consultants, and a 3 to 1 budget gap.

“I’m sorry. That’s not David vs. Goliath. This isn’t even the NBA champions versus a rec league team. That’s more like an ant vs. my shoe.”

Point: Lieberman’s loss wasn’t the will of the powers that be in Democratic Party or Corporate America. It was the will of the people, and they used the Internet to overcome a fundraising gap and bypass their leaders and big media to spread their message.

It worked.

Look for bloggers to have an increasing influence on politics. Lieberman’s defeat will have many politicians scared.

As it should. The people are using the Internet to make their influence greater than that of corporate money. They have the potential to reshape our political system. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and other leaders know it. In recent months Richardson has made an intentional effort to connect with bloggers, including Daily Kos.

Lieberman suddenly finds himself the party outsider. Those who endorsed him for the primary suddenly back their new candidate, political novice Ned Lamont. Lieberman has filed papers to run under his own, newly created political party, called Connecticut for Lieberman, and will remain on the November ballot.

The battle continues.