Dems Back Lamont, Shun Lieberman Bid

Give Full Support To Primary Winner, Wary Of Senator's Independent Run

(CBS/AP)  Ned Lamont pocketed the support of Democratic Party leaders Wednesday after a primary victory fueled by opposition to the war in Iraq. Defeated Sen. Joe Lieberman filed petitions to run as an independent and vowed, "I'm definitely going forward."

In a written statement issued in Washington, Sens. Harry Reid of Nevada and Chuck Schumer of New York, the party's leader and the head of its campaign committee, said they "fully support" Lamont.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., is also throwing her support behind Lamont.

"Voters in Connecticut and across the nation are seeking a new direction to make America safer, our economy stronger, and to broaden opportunity for all," Pelosi said in a statement. "I respect the decision of the voters and endorse the Democratic candidate, Ned Lamont, and look forward to working with him for a great congressional victory in Connecticut."

Connecticut Democratic leaders tossed aside their longtime friendships with Lieberman Wednesday, pledging to support primary winner Ned Lamont over Lieberman's independent campaign this fall.

"This is a difficult moment," said Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., who waited with Lieberman on Tuesday night as the returns came in. "He's made a decision to run as an independent. I regret that decision, but it was his decision to make."

Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., is also making the switch, even though she, like her longtime ally Lieberman, supported President Bush's decision to invade Iraq, CBS News correspondent Trish Regan reports.

"I've already spoken to Ned Lamont. I've already offered him financial help as well as any other help that he needs," Clinton said.

Lieberman said he was not bothered by losing the support of his Democratic peers, noting he lost Tuesday's primary even with their support.

"I think it would be irresponsible and inconsistent with my principles if I were to just walk off the field," Lieberman said in an interview with The Associated Press.

"I'm not sure if Lieberman understands the fact that he is now on his own," explained Maurice Carroll, director at Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "The biggest obstacle is he is not a democrat. And, also, he's tarnished. He lost. You're not supposed to lose in politics."

His campaign had collected more than 18,000 signatures, more than twice the 7,500 needed to secure a spot on the November ballot. If approved, that would set up a three-way race for the fall among Lamont; Lieberman, a supporter of the war, and Republican Alan Schlesinger.

Final primary returns showed Lamont defeating Lieberman 52 percent to 48 percent.

"I believe as the race closed here in Connecticut, (voters) got a better sense of the true position I have going forward on Iraq, and we closed strong," Lieberman told CBS News' The Early Show Wednesday. "And we're going to keep on closing right through, to a victory in November. This is an important and exciting opportunity for me."

---

CBS News/NY Times Exit Poll
CBS's Christine Lagorio, tracking the Lamont campaign
Making his case: photos of Lamont and his supporters

---

Reid and Schumer, however, stopped short of calling for Lieberman to reconsider.

"The Democratic voters of Connecticut have spoken and chosen Ned Lamont as their nominee," said Reid and Schumer, who said they "fully support" Lamont's candidacy and congratulated him on the victory and a "race well run."

"I hope that over the course of the coming days, Joe's friends, neighbors and constituents will prevail upon him to reconsider and unite with Democrats across Connecticut who voted for change tonight," Lamont's campaign said in an e-mail sent out late Tuesday night.

Asked Wednesday if there was anyone who could call and get him to change his mind, Lieberman replied:

"Respectfully no. I'm committed to this campaign," he said in an interview on NBC's "Today" show.

[rihan156]

I am perplex about Lieberman's decision to run as an %u201Cindependent Democrat%u201D because he lost the election in Connecticut, if such role even exists.

Politics does not come down to one individual and what he thinks he/she is, or ought to do as long as they belong to a party. We should keep in mind the dangers of thinking we are the chosen ones, or the most able to get the best or right results.

The Democratic voters in Connecticut have decided to elect someone else to represent them in the Senate. Being a Senator is mostly about who the voters trust and think should be their representative in addressing their issues and take action on their behalf. Clearly, they do not want Lieberman to play that role any more.

Most people were expecting him to react with grace, unselfishness, and dedication to his party by accepting that Lamont won, offering his support in helping him fulfill his new mission in advancing the democratic agenda while playing another strategic role; being a Senator should not be an end in itself. It is time for new leaders to emerge and for new ideas to be tested as they may lead to better solutions for all.

In terms of bipartisanship, working across party lines should not be about joining the other party%u2019s decisions; it is about what would be the best for the state of Connecticut and the 83% of the US population who live from pay check to pay check, and ultimately what should be the United States of America as world leader.

[ffarrag-2009]

The sad truth that no one is talking about, is Senator Lieberman%u2019s loyalty is to Israel first, had this war been with another nation that does not directly involve Israel and Israel%u2019s interests, Mr. Lieberman would have been against it 100% from the get go.
Now watch the Republicans support his independent candidacy even against their own candidate in the CT, he may even switch parties to the Republican Party if he wins in November as an independent.

[s4c1]

LOL! I do love reading the rants of the lunatic left. The conspiracy charges and all the insults...lol...i do love it!

Actually...in all reality...it is quite...quite...sad...

The dems are the party of the ignorant...it is how they garner votes...it is how they win elections...gloom and doom...if we say it...they will believe it...

lol...

[severow]

This is Bill Clinton's great opportunity to play Teddy Roosevelt on the stage of Ex-Presidential Politics. Former President Clinton gave Sen. Joseph Lieberman his complete personal backing going into this close primary race. So now, he can fall in line with all the Democrats who have forgoteen their own previous positions on Iraq, or he can resolve: "Sorry, Hillary, but Joe is juts a bully, bully good senator for this country!"

They say that sooner or later, most former Presidents would like to tip their hats to the other side of the aisle, so here is a chance for Bull Moose Bill to plow a row for Connecticut Joe.

To Democrats Sens Reid and Schumer, who are saying that this election was more about President Bush than about the Democratic Party, it should be suggested that this new independent campaign by Sen. Joe Lieberman is not about the days of old but rather about whether a senator from Connecticut is willing to take a stand for the good of the country regardless of which political party holds the White House or the Congress.

[ghalas2]

Today is the first day on the road to regaining our country back from the right wing crime family who has been stealing from us since day one. The Right has gotten it wrong. They have been lied to , and now are embarrassed about the fact that they have been lied to, and now they know they are on the way out of power. If you support the president and his policies, you are mentally ill, and need to see a shrink soon. I will be so glad when we start discussing the things that really are important to Americans: Health Care, The Environment, The Inner City, Leaving the middle east alone, etc. And stop these Bogus issues being discussed. *** Marriage is about 700 or 800th on my list of issues to discuss, and illegal immigration is about 1000th on my list of issues to discuss. We need to be discussing 1st: Finding the center, we need to make sure that separation of church and state is " ABSOLUTE", A very important topic to me, the price of oil is "OBSCENE", AND WE NEED TO PUT HEAVY TAXES ON THEM, AND HOPEFULLY THEY WILL LEARN TO STOP STEALING FROM US. THE OIL COMOPANIES ARE CROOKS AND THEIR CEO'S SHOULD BE IN JAIL, THE BUSH CRME FAMILY, THE OIL CO'S, MR ROVE, TOM DELAY ET AL DO NOT CARE ABOUT AMERICA, AND THEY ARE BAD FOR AMERICA. THEY ARE CROOKS, PHONIES, LIARS, AND ARE NOT CHRISTIANS, NO CHRISTIANS WOULD ACT THAT WAY TO THEIR FELLOW MAN.

[ghalas2]

Today is the first day on the road to regaining our country back from the right wing crime family who has been stealing from us since day one. The Right has gotten it wrong. They have been lied to , and now are embarrassed about the fact that they have been lied to, and now they know they are on the way out of power. If you support the president and his policies, you are mentally ill, and need to see a shrink soon. I will be so glad when we start discussing the things that really are important to Americans: Health Care, The Environment, The Inner City, Leaving the middle east alone, etc. And stop these Bogus issues being discussed. *** Marriage is about 700 or 800th on my list of issues to discuss, and illegal immigration is about 1000th on my list of issues to discuss. We need to be discussing 1st: Finding the center, we need to make sure that separation of church and state is " ABSOLUTE", A very important topic to me, the price of oil is "OBSCENE", AND WE NEED TO PUT HEAVY TAXES ON THEM, AND HOPEFULLY THEY WILL LEARN TO STOP STEALING FROM US. THE OIL COMOPANIES ARE CROOKS AND THEIR CEO'S SHOULD BE IN JAIL, THE BUSH CRME FAMILY, THE OIL CO'S, MR ROVE, TOM DELAY ET AL DO NOT CARE ABOUT AMERICA, AND THEY ARE BAD FOR AMERICA. THEY ARE CROOKS, PHONIES, LIARS, AND ARE NOT CHRISTIANS, NO CHRISTIANS WOULD ACT THAT WAY TO THEIR FELLOW MAN.

[leen58]

YOU ARE ALL A BUNCH OF LEFT WING LOONIES. lIEBERMAN WILL RUN AND WIN THEN YOU CAN ALL GO AND CRY. YOU ALL LISTEN WAY TOO MUCH TO AIR AMERICA. THANK GOD THERE WERE SOME SANE DEMOCRATS WHO VOTED IN GA ON PRIMARY DAY. THERE MAY BE HOPE YET FOR THE DEMOCRATS--BUT FIRST THEY MUST CUT OFF THE CANCER GROWING ON THEM--YOU LUNATIC LEFT WING HATERS!!!!!!!

[tfest1]

Judging by his actions over the last few days, it seems to me that Joe Lieberman is a pretty self-absorbed person.

I think this has what happened in Congress in general, although there are probably a few exceptions.

Representatives are interested in their constituents only so far as that furthers their primary goal: to stay in office and keep their cushy, perk-filled jobs.

Pretty pathetic state of affairs.

[exrepublican]

I voted gainst Lieberman....when I voted for Bush in 2000.

After 6 tough years of Bush, the lies are starting to wear very thin. I don't know how people can buy into the lies and deceptions of guys like Limbaugh and Hannity. My gas and mortgage expenses are way up this year...while corporate profits are to insane levels. And Bush's solution? Cut their taxes???? Give me a break!

The only reason Bush was elected in '04 was the religious right. He's their boy.

Voters need to stop bush and give the senate and congress over to the democrats this fall. Please vote!!!

[patshelly]

Those do not learn from History are condemned to repeat it.

In 2000, we had Ralph Nader who took many critical votes away from the Democratic Candidates. Joe Lieberman was the Vice-Presidential Candidate then and the loser in that election.

It seeems that he has not only not learned from that defeat but out of a sheer sense of Bloody-mindedness, decided to stand in the elections as an Independent. Does he not have the sense to realise that his standing in the elections is no different from Ralph Nader in 2000 and will have the same effect on Ned Lamont?

What a sore loser!

Pat

[american455]

The comment stated "LETS HOPE THE WORLD SEES THEM FOR WHAT THEY ARE. LIERS AND THIEVES" -- the world already Knows! its the right-wing, hypocritical, self-righteous, white-collar crime loving, lying sack of poop, GOP supporters in our country, that coninue to vote for these bribe-taking, underhanded, priviledged, rich, scum bags that need to figure out what being a christian is about. Lieberman is a self centered jerk. he is the classic politician that straddles both sides of th aisle to get what he needs for himself, his friends and occasionally his constituents. Backing the republicans on their sinful tactics and legislating bonuses for the rich and the businesses that take advantage of all consumers, poor, middle class, and rich alike is just pandering and shedding your morals to get a few points. The only way to stop the bleeding in this country is to help all the poor people get out and actually vote. 40% of the country's voters are making less than the national average salary of 41k/year. yet most of the voters are wealthy - middle class, who tend to vote for the rich and powerful GOP. They vote for who butters their bread, even if they stomp all over the millions of poor people in this country.

[one_american]

The Uber-Liberal lemmings are jumping off the cliff. Hooray!

[s4c1]

Thanks alphaa! Nothing I could have typed could have shown the ignorance and complete lack of understanding of the world politic, that has invaded and saturated the lunatic left better than your fine words.

Wow...

[carla45]

RIGHT ON alphaa10, i AGREE WITH EVERYTHING YOU SAID. LETS HOPE THE WORLD SEES THEM FOR WHAT THEY ARE. LIERS AND THIEVES. TIME TO MAKE A CHANGE AND GET OUR COUNTRY BACK.

[alphaa10-2009]

It is heartening to see the GOP postings on the Lieberman story, which proves they can read the handwriting there as well as anybody else. And now we understand how much Bush will miss his good ally, Sen. Lieberman.

One wonders how long the lunatic right can sputter, whine and moan as their margins are chopped away across the country by the incompetence of their Chief Bozo, Mr. Bush. Lieberman continues the erosion of GOP assets, as American voters register a referendum on Bush.

Americans are learning fast not to trust right-wing demogoguery-- the direst threat to the security of this country. As for the GOP, it is beginning to find out the hard way that bluster, lies and 16th century politics of privilege are not enough.

But Bush is a maniac opportunist under a threat, political or otherwise. He will provoke a wider war in Iraq, simply to justify himself in the name of national security. With a defender like Bush, who needs enemies?

[mlangaard]

Apparently now Joe wants to help the Republicans by taking away votes from the Democrats. Hey Joe, why don't you just become a Republican and get out of our hair?

[bluestarfath]

The countries Political leadership has lost its way supporting the Administration and their international business conglomerates on the back of the working or unemployed American Citizen. We must now for the sake of our families, our community, and our future get rid of politicians who have given away our jobs, mortgaged our children%u2019s future, supported failed policies and this illegal war, who in its execution and their ineptitude are worse on everyone than the tyrants they replaced. These policies and their supporting political operatives have squandered the fighting spirit of the American People and the support of the International Community by failing to catch Osama Bin Lauden who was the one who killed 3,000 of our Americans citizens while misdirecting our National Resources to start a war with a country who was not then nor is now a threat to America. The Nation%u2019s People must look to citizens of Connecticut with Pride and follow their courageous lead into the future of positive change, where once again we may become a nation %u201Cby the people, and for the people%u201D.

IT is time.....

%u201CLet%u2019s Roll%u201D!

[bluestarfath]

Yesterday, Connecticut citizens turned out in record numbers and expelled Senator Lieberman an entrenched politician sending shock waves throughout the world with their message that politicians must support those who elect them to office. This display depicts true American Citizens at work taking back their state. Now we need to stand up through out the country, despite what the established political leadership says and take back this country in a similar manner.

[bluestarfath]

It is time now for the rest of the country to stand up and follow the courageous lead of the citizens of Connecticut and vote out of office all those entrenched politicians that have for years supported special interest policies and their own political careers at the expense of their constituents.

[Atlantic2752]

Lieberman is a sore and a poor loser, vote Lamont