{news} Harold Burbank in Danbury News-Times

[David Bedell]

http://www.newstimes.com/ci_10466241

Green Party candidate to challenge Murphy, Cappiello

09/15/2008
By Dirk Perrefort
Staff Writer

DANBURY -- Human rights attorney Harold Burbank has been certified by state
officials as a third-party candidate for the 5th Congressional District
race.

Burbank said he plans to run as a member of the Green Party against U.S.
Rep. Chris Murphy, a first-term Democrat, and Republican state Sen. David
Cappiello.

Burbank said lies by the current administration during the run-up to the
Iraq War -- and Congress' failure to initiate impeachment proceedings -- 
prompted his decision to run for office.

"President George W. Bush lied to congress about weapons of mass destruction
in Iraq," Burbank said. "I don't understand why every lawyer in the nation
doesn't stand up and say this is a direct attack on the U.S. Constitution."

Burbank, a Canton resident and international human rights lawyer, worked in
the state Attorney General's office for 12 years before opening his own
practice.

"Harold Burbank will be a superb public servant," independent presidential
candidate Ralph Nader told The News-Times on Wednesday. "He understands the
constitution, he understands presidential accountability and he understands
that Congress has to reassert its authority under the constitution and
initiating impeaching proceedings for George Bush and Dick Cheney on various
grounds including high crimes and misdemeanors."

Nader added that Burbank's long history of civil rights activity and opening
ballots to third-party candidates has prompted him to support his
congressional bid.

Adam Bauer, Cappiello's communications director, said Burbank's candidacy
shows that "folks from all political strips are unhappy with congressman
Murphy's do-nothing record in Washington and we welcome him into the race."

Ken Curran, Murphy's campaign manager, said nobody knows better than Chris
Murphy about how the administration's failed policies have affected
residents of the district.

"Chris is focused on doing things differently by listening to the people of
the 5th District and taking their issues to Washington," Curran said. "He is
working hard to make sure home heating oil is affordable this winter and our
economy gets back on track."

Contact Dirk Perrefort at

dperrefort@ newstimes.com

or at (203) 731-3358