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."

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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.

[wadyaknow]

Sick of bus-kissing Joe.
Sick of the lies, the war, the Terri Schiavo nonsense. Tired of Joe being for Joe.
Please voters in CT vote Lamont.
We need this as a national message so we can restore the Democratic Party.
Then we need to elect Russ Feingold as President!!!

[kentgs]

Joe has got to know that this looks like pure desperation--worthy of the Orange County,California
Republican who had his opponent arrested for attempted murder the night before the polls openned.
The charges were dropped after the morning papers were on the street.

[rebrane]

"I'm concerned that our Web site is knocked out on the day of the primary, you'd assume it wasn't any casual observer," Lieberman said.

Well, I suppose that if evidence like this was good enough to start a war, then it's definitely good enough to launch this attack.

[smithnewyork]

If Leiberman can't protect the security of his own campaign website, how is he supposed to protect us from terrorists?

[memekiller]

Not paying his bill has been a godsend for Lieberman. Being negligent on a $15 fee has given him millions of dollars worth of press to lay the groundwork for being "robbed" of his seat.

I assure you, Lieberman has gained a lot more votes from story headlines like this one than he lost by not having his site up for one day -- and he'll still lose.

[BlueInWI]

I would appreciate the media investigating the type of web infrastructure Joe purchased for his site, how much he paid for it, how scalable it was, how many users it was designed to handle?

Was he on a dedicated redundant server, or a shared hosting plan for $15/month? Maybe he prepared for his web site traffic as well as he helped prepare the country for the Occupation of Iraq. Unfortunately, he nor anyone else in Congress has had us start paying the $500,000,000,000.00 dollar bill for the Iraqi occupation yet.

[gdsingleton]

I know I always go on the Internet the day of the election to learn who I'm voting for.

Does this mean Rove is consulting for Democrats now?

[seth_watson]

This is some of the most reckless and irresponsible journalism I've ever seen.

With a site that has been down for 24 hours, the Lieberman campaign, faced with the toughest political battle of the Senator's very long career, goes on the attack with no evidence whatsoever at all of sabotage by his primary opponent, ONE hour before the peak voting time in the state. And CBS chooses to report this as a potential Lamont issue???

You guys at CBS got played up one side and down the other. And now you're peddling this slanderous *** on your homepage with two hours of voting left??

This is as close to an illegal in-kind contribution as you could give.

Shameful!

[mbaesq]

Lieberman's desperation is showing clearly now - he's unable to garner support for his Republican brand of Democratic politics among disgusted CT voters, so he relies on unfounded accusations and slurs. Who was it who said, "18 years is enough for a Senator?" That was Joe Lieberman, during his 1988 campaign against Weicker. If he was right then, he is certainly right now.

[mbaesq]

Lieberman's desperation is showing clearly now - he's unable to garner support for his Republican brand of Democratic politics among disgusted CT voters, so he relies on unfounded accusations and slurs. Who was it who said, "18 years is enough for a Senator?" That was Joe Lieberman, during his 1988 campaign against Weicker. If he was right then, he is certainly right now.

[dixxson-2009]

I saw a texas politician last year on tv, Bushe's brain! He said that in texas one day before elections his opponent found a bug located in his campaign office.
He said by the location the timing and discovery it was obvious it was self planted. His opponent was behind in the polls and won the election with this ploy.
The manager was Bushe's Brain CARL ROVE! The fact that Lieberman would stoop to such tatics or threaten to run as a independent indicates that just like former NY mayor ED KOCH he never was a true democrat!
WITH THEM IT'S ALL BOUT ME ME ME ME ME""""

[bobbynixon]

They always say that any press is good press. Well, I4ve seen Lieberman in the news every day for the last few weeks and only today saw his opponent4s face. Whether or not the Connecticut constituents are in favor of a new Senator the mainstream media has certainly helped the Lieberman campaign.

[jmelia2]

What do you expect from an ISP provider you pay $16 a month for?
Cheap with his own momey but not with ours!

[roger_inkart]

Even if a website is 'hacked' it can usually be brought back in in a matter of hours (at most.) Lieberman clearly is exploiting this trying to garner votes in an election he's probably going to lose.

It wouldn't surprise me at all if this was actually a hoax. It's classic Rove: attack yourself, blame your opponent and hope that the media licks it up. I only hope it's not enough to keep him from losing the primary!

[wufnik]

Wy do you still have this dopey question up? Are you people really that tech illiterate? Or just Republicans?

[tfest1]

Lieberman's website is hosted by theplanet.com. I don't see anything on their website concerning a denial of service attack.

That aside, a hacked website can be fixed pretty quickly.

I don't understand what all this nonsense is about. Is Lieberman on that internet committee with that idiot senator from Alaska who thinks the internet consists of "tubes" ?

Heaven help us all.

[alphaa10-2009]

The Lamont turnout was a clear rebuke to Lieberman's politics, which endorse Bush-style corporate interests at the expense of ordinary Americans. The Connecticut vote was even more disturbing to Lieberman's cronies in Washington for the message it sent-- no matter what value placed on seniority, dissatisfaction with Bush is now intense enough to poison the career of even a veteran pol.

Lieberman should have known better-- another sign his career was over. He had received ample warnings about a sea change in voter attitudes toward Bush, and yet he chose to ignore them, and entrench himself more comfortably with the perks and privilege of the Senate Club.

[memekiller]

Claiming this is anti-war sentiment is convenient for mainstream journalists, since it lets them off the hook. My opposition to Lieberman had less to do with the war than it did the political class. CBS ought to think about what it means when the only Democrat they deem acceptable for a seat at their roundtables is thrown out of the party. We hate him for exactly the same reason he has become a favorite of morning talk shows: by providing "centrist" cover for the rabid, right-wing partisan's attacks on our party, and the President's critics, no matter how steeply reality is stacked against his position.

[s4c1]

And I quote from a previous comment, by Memekiller(see below) "We hate him...".

I could not sum up the current state, and mindset of the Democratic party any better than that. They are indeed the party of doom & gloom...the party of hate. It truly is a shame what a once proud political party has been turned into by people like George Soros, Howard Dean, Nancy Pelosi and the other Cindy Sheehans of the country...

The message that should be sent is that we need to rid ourselves of the politics of hate, and get back to a true dialogue of important issues.

- s4c

[s4c1]

And I quote from a previous comment, by Memekiller(see below) "We hate him...".

I could not sum up the current state, and mindset of the Democratic party any better than that. They are indeed the party of doom & gloom...the party of hate. It truly is a shame what a once proud political party has been turned into by people like George Soros, Howard Dean, Nancy Pelosi and the other Cindy Sheehans of the country...

The message that should be sent is that we need to rid ourselves of the politics of hate, and get back to a true dialogue of important issues.

- s4c

[s4c1]

And I quote from a previous comment, by Memekiller(see below) "We hate him...".

I could not sum up the current state, and mindset of the Democratic party any better than that. They are indeed the party of doom & gloom...the party of hate. It truly is a shame what a once proud political party has been turned into by people like George Soros, Howard Dean, Nancy Pelosi and the other Cindy Sheehans of the country...

The message that should be sent is that we need to rid ourselves of the politics of hate, and get back to a true dialogue of important issues.

- s4c

[memekiller]

There is no media outlet so mainstream that Ann Coulter won't be allowed to hawk her book, or Newt Gingrich won't be asked to opine about our treasonous ways. The resurgence of people-politics is because we are fed up with the venemous, partisan, Abramoff-funded politics that Leiberman enables. The nation is tired of apologists and appeasers on the left and in journalism sucking up to ingratiate themselves with a botched war that is making us less safe, and turning a few thousand rag-tag Jihadists into a worldwide movement of millions, while neglecting port security and protection here at home.

From the right, the media demands partisanship, and from the left, they reward those like Leiberman who will second the rightwing McCarthyism.

With all this hate dominating our political discourse, we have participated with decade of centrist, bipartisan overtures by neutered Leiberman's, even going so fare as to write this President a blank check on a war we had serious reservations about, without a peep from the media regarding the uncivil "tone." Now, we are playing catch up. We do not yet have the hate mongers the right has making regular appearances on Sunday morning shows, so I'll settle for the soft-spoken, pencil-neck geek Ned Lamont, so long as he has the courage to defy the political class and represent us for a change.

[robbyb1]

As usual, the pundits have this all wrong.
This is not a referendum on Bush or the Iraq war, per se -- after all, Connecticut has never been Bush territory. What this is actually about is a deep-seated anger against Democratic politicians who, as the result of some addle-pated, election-losing calculus, act like Republicans. These politicians have philosphically abandoned the Democratic base, represent no one, and don't even win elections!
Liberman's loss should serve as a wake-up call, not to Bush, but to Clinton, Reid, and the rest of the master tacticians who, in trying to thread the needle, have failed to act as Democrats or a constructive opposition, caving on all the big things -- war, Alito, and on and on -- playing it "safe" as the Republicans continue to win election after election and ruin our country.

Now, if we could only do the same thing with Dianne Feinstein out here in California. Well, not exactly, she already won her primary. However maybe that's a good thing, we could put our efforts in the main election and not worry about Lieberman style spoiler tactics. Some weeks ago I put up anyonebutfeinstein.com, my 12 bucks against Feinstein's seven million. The net crickets are still chirping, but who knows. Maybe this comment will help.

[carla45]

The resurgence of people-politics is because we are fed up with the lies from Dem and Rep alike.
I myself am also fed up with fox news and the hate they throw out at Dems every chance they get.
Lieberman will do what the Rep want him to do as always. That is why he will stay in the race. Stay awake people, stay awake. when Nov gets here come out in force and let them know that this is your country not just theres. Its time to fight back and put out all those who would and do us harm. Lieberman was and is one of them. He is also a sore loser.

[carla45]

The resurgence of people-politics is because we are fed up with the lies from Dem and Rep alike.
I myself am also fed up with fox news and the hate they throw out at Dems every chance they get.
Lieberman will do what the Rep want him to do as always. That is why he will stay in the race. Stay awake people, stay awake. when Nov gets here come out in force and let them know that this is your country not just theres. Its time to fight back and put out all those who would and do us harm. Lieberman was and is one of them. He is also a sore loser.

[carla45]

lieberman is a sore loser

[carla45]

lieberman is a sore loser

[carla45]

Lieberman had already filed paperwork to create a new party called Connecticut for Lieberman. this will give him 5th place on the ballot not 8th. sore loser

[carla45]

Lieberman had already filed paperwork to create a new party called Connecticut for Lieberman. this will give him 5th place on the ballot not 8th. sore loser

[michaelg49]

Mr. Lamont's win in the Connecticut primary is but one reflection of the profound unease and deep dissatisfaction among many Americans, and especially in the Democratic Party at the grassroots level, regarding both the ill-conceived, unnecessary, and counterproductive war in Iraq and our political leaders' failure to effectively address the ongoing disaster that passes for a Middle East foreign policy. It's a wake up call that Democratic Party leaders will ignore at their peril.

Now then, if we can only do the same thing with Senator Feinstein out here in California... anyonebutfeinstein.com.

[carla45]

thank you groganb327...... I agree with all that you said. Democrats wake up now this is what the republicans think of you. Cleveland, Republican Party chairman Ken Mehlman seized on the results in the Connecticut primary to assail the Democrats on national security and called Lieberman's defeat a "shame." Now who side do you think lieberman is on. if the democrats who are in office don't do there job's then we need to get them out.

[deboayeni]

Lamont won the primary and Lieberman should abide by the wishes of the voters and retire gracefully. If he runs as an Independent it will become clear that for some reason he thinks that he is the only person qualified for the job of Senator from Connecticut. I like Lieberman, but like so many elected officials it appears that he has been on top of the mountain so long, he feels that the Senate job is his by birthright. He reminds me of the fading athlete who hops from team to team because he doesn't know what else to do with himself. After 36 years as a professional politician, it appears that Joe Lieberman doesn't know what to do with himself either.

[s4c1]

Sen. Lieberman no longer belongs in the Democratic party. The party has left him...he never left the party. A party that used to be about the working class people...has been shattered by the voices of hatred. You know, like *** Durbin calling our US forces Nazi stormtroopers...or how about Sen Kennedy saying that Hussein ran his prisons better than we do...Saddams prisons killed somewhere around 25 million people (estimated). The hatred continues to be dished out by Clinton (pick one), and by Howard Dean, Nancy Pelosi...Harry Reid...I could go on...and...on. The once proud party of John Kennedy has been thrashed about by the like of George Soros...who's side is he on anyway? Joe, keep your head up...you are a fine man, a fine Patriot, and a great role model for all Americans. Your problem? You have high moral standards, incredible integrity, and ethics that have long left your party.

[ottodratrace-2009]

It's over Joe! Yesterday you're a solid democrat, today you're an independent. Basically you're running on the 'I don't want to loose my job' platform. Too late for that, maybe you should have represented your constituents and we would have voted for you. Your arrogance knows no bounds. Go Away!

[one_american]

Joe Lieberman, the only Democrat with any sense at all, has been sacrificed by the lunatic left in Connecticut. One wonders when the truly moderate Democrats will take back their party in that state, if ever...

Good luck, Joe.

[Atlantic2752]

Lieberman is a sore and a poor loser, vote Lamont

[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.

[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]

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!

[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?

[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?

[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.

[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...

[one_american]

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

[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.

[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

[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!!!

[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.