Lamont gets spot on primary ballot to challenge Lieberman

This article comes from the Conneticut Post online site. Primaries are a great way to challenge the Powers that Be within a political party. It forces people to take sides and forces decisions to be made about the party, what it stands for and who its going to represent. We saw this with the Toomey campaign against Arlen Specter two years ago. Two years later 15 incumbent GOP state legislators lost primaries in Pennnsylvania thanks to the Toomey-led Club for Growth. 33% of the delegates was far more than Lamont needed to get a slot on the Connecticut Primary ballot. Now his campaign has credibility and standing which makes him more of a threat to Lieberman. We'll see what happens between now and August but if Lamont wins, it send shockwaves through American politics that will shake the Powers that Be to their cores.

--Sean Scallon


Primary awaits Lieberman
Lamont easily clears threshold to force vote
KEN DIXON dixon.connpost@snet.net

HARTFORD — The Democratic State Convention on Friday night nominated U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman to a fourth six-year term, but he won't avoid a primary with Ned Lamont, the upstart Greenwich millionaire.
In a mid-evening vote, alphabetically by Congressional district, Lieberman collected 1,004 votes and Lamont won more than twice the number he needed to avoid a petition drive, taking 505 votes, or 33 percent of the votes cast.

Delegates from Bridgeport exemplified the intramural party split over the Iraq war that has given Lamont a shot at unseating Lieberman.

Two prominent city politicians — Mayor John M. Fabrizi and Board of Education member Maximino Medina Jr. — were spotlighted with major nominating speeches for their respective candidates.

Lieberman and Lamont seemed resigned to a long spring and summer primary campaign, to be capped by an Aug. 8 primary ballot. While Lieberman said he hoped Lamont would drop the challenge, Lamont said he's already worked too hard to give up.

U.S. Sen. Chris Dodd, sometimes shouting over the chants of Lamont delegates, told the convention that Lieberman has built an impressive record over 18 years, working for the environment, health care and many other issues that affect Connecticut above and beyond its involvement in Iraq.

"We need Joe Lieberman fighting for those values that we stand for as Democrats," Dodd implored over several dozen Lamont supporters who shouted, "Bring them home," referring to the troops in Iraq.

Fabrizi, in a prime spot on the night's agenda, followed Dodd with the seconding speech before a restless crowd on the first day of the two-day quadrennial convention. "One of the many reasons I am a Democrat is that there is always room for disagreement in our party," Fabrizi told the convention, which has 1,607 delegates and nearly as many operatives working the floor. "And while some may disagree with Joe Lieberman's views on the war, no one can disagree with his commitment to Connecticut's future."

Fabrizi said he was grateful for Lieberman's role in gaining tens of millions of dollars for the city.

"Folks, this election is about Connecticut, not about Iraq," Fabrizi said. "And Joe Lieberman has consistently delivered for Connecticut."

Lamont, an anti-war candidate who is trying to become more than a one-issue wannabe, was nominated to the Senate by Medina, a Bridgeport lawyer who serves on the local Board of Education.

"By casting our votes for Ned Lamont for U.S. Senate, we can show America that Connecticut Democrats will lead the way and demand real change," Medina said. "Connecticut Democrats should not be in the business of impersonating Republicans. Support for a dishonest administration and misguided war cannot be glossed over."

Bridgeport cast 55 votes for Lieberman and six for Lamont, while Fairfield Democrats cast 18 for Lamont and six for Lieberman. Milford delegates cast 15 votes for Lieberman and six for Lamont, while Stratford cast 15 for the incumbent and three for Lamont. Shelton went 37-13 in Lieberman's favor.