Yesterday (2/14) at 4:00 pm, I witnessed the formal announcement from Ned Lamont of his primary campaign for the Senate seat now held by Joe Lieberman. I do not recall ever being in a more enthusiastic crowd. Virtually every sentence spoken by Ned, and the people who introduced him, were met with cheers, applause and other signs of support from a large, full-house crowd. The whole event which lasted about an hour was emotional and inspirational. There probably had never been such a large and enthusiastic crowd in CT's Old State House. A dark, wet morning was transformed into a bright cheerful afternoon.
The Lamont announcement story, (Lamont Opens Senate Fight--Call Lieberman `Republican Light,' " appears on today's Web site of The Hartford Courant. Little is said about the fantastic crowd enthusiasm --which was low balled at "more than 100 supporters." The Courant's article says, "He described Lieberman -- an iconic politician who was the first Jew on a presidential ticket as the Democratic vice presidential nominee in 2000 - as a `Republican Lite' and `George Bush's favorite Democrat'."
Since Lamont never referred to Lieberman as a Jew, that comment, created by the Courant, pointing out a person's religion seems like an ad hominem comment which I find puzzling. The Courant, for years has run puff-promotional pieces on Lieberman while at the same time censoring letters that were sent in rebuttal.
In this same story, the Courant helps to propagates the smears tactics now being launched from Joe's staff. "Attacking Sen. Lieberman's character and integrity was a predictable but dishonorable way to begin this campaign," said Sean Smith, Lieberman's campaign manager. "Mr. Lamont is clearly going to run a very negative and angry campaign where the truth doesn't get in the way."
While Lamont did talk about many issues and suggested that Connecticut deserved a debate and a choice on all issues, he did not have time to cover the latest Democratic party back-stabbing by Lieberman on the Dubai port deal. Joe now fully support Bush while dissing all Democrats who oppose the port deal for security reasons. Joe claims that his presense on the Arms Services Committee gives him special knowledge and truth. Is that the committee where he got his same special knowledge and truth regarding the War on the people of Iraq? Please!
Interestingly, this morning the Courant was running a poll regarding the electability of Ned Lamont. The last time that I saw the totals, at about 10 pm, Lamont was ahead of Lieberman. This poll has now disappeared.