CT-Sen: Lieberman refuses to back Democratic candidates

Maybe I was wrong yesterday when I wrote that Lieberman was campaigning on behalf of Republican candidates. However, whether I was right or wrong, he clearly is not supporting Democratic candidates. He just said so himself:Declaring himself a "non-combatant," U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman, in remarks at a New Haven press event Friday, raised anew the question of whether his "independent" candidacy will help Republicans hold onto three Congressional seats in Connecticut -- and control of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Lieberman -- who after losing an Aug. 8 Democratic primary to Ned Lamont has launched a third-party bid to hold onto his seat in the Nov. 7 general election -- was asked whether he still endorses Diane Farrell, Joe Courtney and Chris Murphy, three Democrats looking to unseat endangered Republican incumbents Chris Shays, Rob Simmons and Nancy Johnson.

"I'm a non-combatant," Lieberman declared. "I am not going to be involved in other campaigns. I think it's better if I just focus on my own race."

Lieberman made the remarks at a Friday morning photo op held in the rain under an I-95 overpass in the Fair Haven neighborhood to tout his role in bringing $50 million to the state to help ease transportation gridlock.

"It's a little awkward for me now" to endorse the Democratic candidates in the general election," he said, "since they all endorsed my opponent," Democratic primary winner Ned Lamont. What a crybaby. It's "awkward?" Grow up. He won't support his party's nominees unless his party's nominees defy the will of the voters? Oh yeah--he isn't a Democrat anymore.

To make things even more awkward for Lieberman, top aides for Senators Clinton and Reid are now on loan to Lamont. Even if Lieberman does somehow pull out a victory, I can't imagine he is feeling al too secure about his committee seniority these days (all caucus votes on seniority would take place after the election).

Tags: CT-Sen, Democrats, Governors 2005-2006, House 2006, Joe Lieberman, Senate 2006 (all tags)

Comments

5 Comments

Re: CT-Sen: Lieberman refuses...

Translation:

"I'll be good, I swears it Mister George."

by goplies 2006-08-25 02:43PM | 0 recs
Imagine that

I wonder if the back channel party endorsements will go blindly on?

I reminded of the Reagan/Iranian negotiations. I wonder there was an epiphany for North at some point along the line of; "this is getting to be a really bad move".

by Citizen80203 2006-08-25 03:39PM | 0 recs
That's not what he said two weeks ago

There's an update on Connecticut Blog:

http://www.connpost.com/news/ci_4161213

"Lieberman said that he will continue to support the Democrats running for Congress even though they now support Lamont.

"It is a little bit harder, but I have endorsed the three of them," he said. Lieberman endorsed Joe Courtney over Rep. Rob Simmons, R-2, and Chris Murphy over Rep. Nancy Johnson, R-5."

by jagakid 2006-08-25 05:13PM | 0 recs
Lieberschnitzel

Nobody is talking about it much, but doesn't it seem that Schlesinger is going to come under huge pressure to get out of the race to the advantage of Lieberman? I would think Rove will pull out every trick he knows to make that happen...

by global yokel 2006-08-25 05:48PM | 0 recs
Schlesinger

I don't know about that. If Schlesinger leaves the race, then Lieberman is no longer the "moderate", "centrist" candidate between him and Lamont. Lieberman would be the Republican candidate, even to people who don't believe he is now.

by KCinDC 2006-08-26 06:05AM | 0 recs

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