Video of the Debate HERE
Background
Challenger Ned Lamont is opposing 18 year Senator Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut in his bid for renomination by the Democratic Party. Connecticut democrats have become notoriously disenfranchised from Senator Lieberman following his vigorous initial and ongoing support for the Iraq war.
Connecticut progressives have doubts whether Senator Liberman is a "true democrat" or a "republican chrony." Former Cable Executive Ned Lamont is challenging Senator Lieberman mainly on his support for the Iraq War and his cooperation with the Bush Administration.
Fearing a possible loss in the Democratic Primary, Senator Lieberman announced that he is laying the groundwork to appear on Connecticut's November ballots as an Independent Democrat, as "election insurance" if Lamont is the nominee.
This development has caused discomfort within the Democratic Party as party leaders are finding conflict in supporting Lieberman's renomination, or pledging support for a possible November bid as an independent candidate. Most Democrats have pledged to support whoever the party nominates in November. Notably, Hillary Clinton, among others, have pledged to campaign for Lieberman in bid for the parties nomination, but have stopped short of speculating support for the general election before the primary results are known.
Former Vice President and 2000 Democratic Presidential Nominee Al Gore, who selected Lieberman as his Vice Presidential running mate, endorsed Howard Dean in the 2004 Democratic Primary, even though Lieberman was a candidate. This move caused many in the Democratic Party to question whether Gore, a party leader, had confidence in Lieberman. Others questioned whether this endorsement equated to a "stab in the back" against Lieberman. Since Lieberman's reelection has become so publicly contested, Gore has declined to take sides in the nomination process or to endorse a candidate.
Among other indicators, Gore's lack of support makes many Democrats nervous who want change, but fear that if Lamont is the Democratic nominee, and Lieberman runs as an "independent democrat," the Democratic, Progressive, and Democratic leaning moderate votes will be split between the two candidates, leaving the minority Republican vote united. This scenario could result in the unlikely election of a Republican candidate to the Connecticut Senate seat, which has historically favored Democratic candidates, enabled by the division of the Democratic Vote.
Thoughts? Watch video of the Lieberman Lamont Debate from PoliticsTV.com HERE
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Comments: 4
It seems odd to me that he is on the out now with the party.
This race will be interesting to watch, for sure!