A Lieberman consultant has made a point of
denying a
Salon article that suggested Lieberman had ruled out switching parties. (Hat tip to Scott at
MyDD.)
U.S. Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman, facing a challenge for the state Democratic Party's endorsement and the potential of a primary election in August, reportedly has ruled out running for re-election as an independent.
But a Connecticut political consultant working for Lieberman said today that the writer for the Internet newsmagazine that published that report may have read too much into the senator's response.
"We don't even talk about that because he has no intention of losing the primary," the consultant, Roy Occhiogrosso, said.
... A transcript of the Salon interview provided by Occhiogrosso indicates that Lieberman was responding to a question about whether he ever has days "where you think if you can't be senator you've been, with the kind of style you've approached, you don't want to be a senator?"
"Some people have said to me, 'Why don't you run as an independent? You have broad support across all parties.' Lieberman responded, before adding his comments about belief in the Democratic Party.
Asked if Lieberman was indeed ruling out an independent run should he lose the primary, Occhiogrosso said, "He's been very clear that he is a committed, sensible Democrat."
Not that party loyalty has been Lieberman's strong suit of late, but why even open this can of worms? The Salon article presumably was good for him vis-a-vis Democrats and his commitment to the party. Backing off of that commitment, in the local press no less, is a slap in the face to Democrats.
Contrast that with challenger Lamont:
Lamont . . . said would not run as an independent candidate should he lose a primary election.
"I'm a Democrat, I'm sticking with the Democratic Party," he said.