{news} Lieberman, Lamont and the Greens

[David Bedell]

http://www.counterpunch.org/maruffi07052006.html

July 5, 2006
Lieberman, Lamont and the Greens
Party Politics in Connecticut

By VINCENT MARUFFI

The recent news regarding Senator Joe Lieberman's intention to attempt to 
run as a "petitioning Democrat" should he lose the upcoming August 8 
Connecticut Democratic Senatorial primary has put this tiny state in the 
unusual position of national prominence. Rarely does a state with only seven 
electoral votes have the chance to affect the national debate on any 
subject.

Although there are other issues discussed in the campaign, the primary 
between Senator Lieberman and Greenwich businessman Ned Lamont has become a 
referendum on Lieberman's blind support for the invasion and occupation of 
Iraq, with the Lamont campaign calling for withdrawal of troops and closing 
of all bases.

The lefty blogs have been leading the Lamont charge since the campaign's 
inception attempting to rally anti-war Democrats across the country to 
support the quixotic efforts of a heretofore relative unknown in CT 
politics. Their efforts have helped narrow the gap in pre-primary polling to 
the point where there is a legitimate shot of the biggest upset in 
Connecticut politics since Lowell Weicker's victory as an independent for 
Governor in 1990.

Now with the Lieberman petition announcement, Lamont supporters are having 
kittens over the "disloyalty" of the Senator's actions. They feel that the 
loser should pledge full support for the winner after August 8. Lamont has 
run radio ads saying he would do so should Lieberman win. But nobody should 
be surprised by Joe's actions. This just another instance of opportunism 
that has been a hallmark of Lieberman's career since his first campaign for 
the Senate in the late 1980s when he ran with the support of such 
"Democrats" as William Buckley.

But what about Ned? Why should he stick to his pledge to support Lieberman 
if he is the Dem nominee? If Joe won't support him then why should he 
support Joe? If the main issue of his campaign is the end of the Iraq war 
then he should announce that he will petition as well. He can use the same 
line as Lieberman: "I want the opportunity to put my case before all the 
people of Connecticut in November."

It appears as of now that Lamont will put all his eggs in the primary 
basket. Should he lose then he will be a good Democratic lemming and march 
along with the pro-war Lieberman "for the good of the party". What hogwash!

If Lieberman wins the primary then Lamont should immediately pledge his 
support for a true anti-war campaign, such as the Green Party's Ralph 
Ferrucci. Lamont supporters would do well to do the same. It would show that 
there is a real debate on the Iraq war in Connecticut politics and in turn 
help foment a real debate in the country this campaign season.

Vicent Maruffi lives in Middletown, Connecticut. He can be reached at: 
vmaruffi@ sbcglobal.net