Three term U.S. Senator from Connecticut Joseph Lieberman has lost his Democratic primary bid for re-election to challenger Ned Lamont by some 10,000 votes, in a hotly contested and carefully watched race that may prove to be a referendum on the Bush Administration and the unpopular war in Iraq.
Lamont, a wealthy cable executive, struck a chord with Connecticut voters by criticizing Liebermans support for the invasion of Iraq and his soft stance on other Bush policies. He took close to 52 percent of the votes, carrying many of the states smaller towns.
Lamonts victory is widely believed to a bad omen for Democrats across the country who supported the war. It may signal a trend to turn out those incumbents and replace them with more moderate or progressive candidates.
Lieberman however has vowed to stay in the general election, running as an independent, which could split the Democratic vote in the fall and enable a Republican to win the seat.
We think Joe Lieberman should recognize the handwriting on the wall and graciously step aside. Not only are the winds of change in the air, but they need to be. The opportunity to shift the balance of power in both halls of Congress away from the GOP is within reach and Connecticut needs to hold onto its seat but with a Democrat who will openly oppose the failed policies of this administration.
Conscientious voters everywhere should contact Senator Lieberman and tell him to drop out of the race. His campaign website is down but you can contact him through his senate office.
3 comments ↓
Sadly, I think Lieberman just wants to spoil the Dems chance to retake the Congress. He clearly sees the consequences of his actions, yet he’s already announcing an independent run.
Let’s hope that the avalanche of Dems against him and supporting Lamont — esp. Dem stalwarts like the Clintons, Obama, etc — will dissuade him, or at the very least, make him a footnote to political history.
Lieberman now falls into the category of just plain evil. The citizens of your state and your party send the clear message that you are no longer wanted as their representative and you act like a spoiled child who must have his way. I mean what kind of thought process must be going on to say “they voted for someone else so I’m going to screw it up for them completely and almost guarantee a Republican gets into office.”
Even if you don’t consider a Republican getting in horrible, someone intentially subverting the electorial process is profane.
that’s a darn shame. he obviously needs to bow out gracefully. why would he want to risk splitting the Dem vote knowing that the Dems will be making a push to gain ground in Congress?