Why is EMILY's List backing Joe Lieberman's heir?

We don't need more of these in Congress. EMILY's List's chief job is to get more women elected women in Congress, and that's obviously awesome. I doubt anyone here would deny that we'd have more effective government if the roster of elected officials better reflected our society.

But there is obviously more to it than just electing more women, otherwise we'd have EMILY's List backing Michelle Bachmann and Sarah Palin. The reason it's important to elect more progressive women is because, as EMILY's List itself states in its mission statement:

Only then can we build a lasting progressive majority dedicated to social justice, civil rights, diversity, economic reform, and compassion -- and construct a society that values the contributions of all of its citizens.

But if that's their (very laudable) mission, and they're fighting for a lasting progressive majority full of compassion and social justice, then why are they aggressively backing Elizabeth Esty in the Democratic primary in Connecticut's Fifth Congressional District?

Daily Kos is backing Chris Donovan, the speaker of the state House, in that primary, and the reasons why are lengthy and particularly compelling. A sample:

' Passed 12 minimum wage increases and wants further hikes

' Established Connecticut's first-ever progressive income tax, which required millionaires to pay their fair share

' Closed a huge budget deficit last year without any layoffs of state workers

' Made Connecticut the first state to pass paid sick-leave legislation

' Instituted a state-level version of the DREAM Act

' Added transgender rights to state's anti-discrimination law

' Legalized medical marijuana and decriminalized marijuana possession

' Repealed the state's death penalty law

I doubt there's anyone running for Congress this year that has tangibly done as much to advance a progressive agenda as Donovan. If Esty was a similarly good Democrat, then whatever. EMILY's efforts on her behalf would be an extension of their mission, and one that few could fault. But she's not. In fact, Esty is the second coming of Joe Lieberman.

As you see above, Donovan lead passage of Connecticut's first-in-the-nation paid sick leave act. NARAL, Planned Parenthood and many other women groups supported the legislation enthusiastically. You can read Planned Parenthood's letter of support here.

Esty voted against it.

That vote wasn't an anomaly, either. The centrism-obsessed Esty really is Lieberman's heir. Go below the fold for more on how EMILY's List appears to have been co-opted by Grover Norquist on behalf of a terrible Democrat.