In the Fallout Shelter: Bush, Chafee, Clinton

THE LOSERS

· George W. Bush: Although the president didn't appear on a ballot, connections to him caused at least two incumbents (one Democrat, one Republican) to lose. Lieberman's loss can be directly attributed to his inability to convince voters that he isn't George Bush's favorite Democrat. Schwarz touted his endorsement from President Bush, who, with Laura Bush, did automated phone calls on Schwarz's behalf, which may have done more harm than good.

· Chafee: The Rhode Island Republican already faced an extremely tough primary against Laffey on Sept. 12, but the race got a little bit tougher last week. Laffey has painted himself as the populist outsider in his race against Chafee, a profile similar to the one Lamont adopted successfully against Lieberman.

· Bill Clinton: Clinton's appearance on Lieberman's behalf received wall-to-wall media coverage, and the former president remained a major player in the race until its final day. Clinton and Lieberman embracing were featured on buttons titled "The Hug" worn by Lieberman backers, and Clinton appeared in Lieberman's closing television ads.

Now, Even Original War Foe Under Attack

Brown University political science professor Jennifer Lawless is yet another Northeasterner challenging an incumbent's Democratic credentials. In this case, Rep. James R. Langevin (R.I.). Langevin voted against the Iraq war in 2002. But Lawless -- who faces him in the state's Sept. 12 primary -- charges that his support for military funding since then, coupled with his refusal to endorse a withdrawal date for the troops, puts him on the wrong side of the issue.

"We need new leadership in Washington and Democrats who will halt the Bush administration," said Lawless, 31, who decided to run after being co-author of a book last year about why women do not pursue elected office.

Langevin spokeswoman Joy Fox, who noted that Langevin called for Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld's resignation last week, said there is no comparison between the congressman's race and Lamont's defeat of Lieberman.

"We think she's grasping at straws," Fox said. Lawless seems to be "reaching after every coattail she can find."

There's at least one major difference between Lamont and Lawless: While Lamont poured $4 million into his successful primary race, Lawless is still paying off her student loans and working full time. Little wonder polls show Langevin with a double-digit lead.

Staff writer Juliet Eilperin contributed to this report. Cillizza is a staff writer for washingtonpost.com. His online column on politics, The Fix, runs daily athttp://www.washingtonpost.com/thefix.