So it looks like filing a false petition and misleading the voters that you will join your own party are all legit in Connecticut, according to secretary of state Susan Bysiewicz.
"Believe me, I know there are people who feel very frustrated with Senator Lieberman's choices because we hear from them every day in our office," Bysiewicz said Wednesday. But "the next time people will have the opportunity to opine on Mr. Lieberman's candidacy will be in 2012."
Nobody wants the soldiers home more than Joe, either. But how many soldiers will die in the next five years while our Senator pounds the war drum?
On July 10, John Orman, Chair of the Connecticut for Lieberman Party called on Bysiewicz and Jeffrey Garfield, executive director of the Elections Enforcement Commission to investigate whether Lieberman knowingly circulating a false petition.
"It is against state law to knowingly circulate a false petition, and I believe Senator Joseph Lieberman did that," Orman wrote. "The secretary of the state accepted Senator Lieberman at his word that he would form a new minor party so he could get maximum ballot access. . . . It has become clear Senator Lieberman had absolutely no intent whatsoever, at anytime, to join or form a new minor party in Connecticut."
A Lieberman spokesman could not be reached for comment.
Bysiewicz's office said it was reviewing the request.
State Attorney General Richard Blumenthal yesterday said his office has begun looking into the matter.
"We've reviewed the issue very preliminarily, and we'd have to do some more review and research before giving an opinion," Blumenthal said. "So far as we can determine, this situation seems factually unique. . . . But we're going to await a request from one of these officials before we take any action."
For those unfamiliar with the history of the Connecticut for Lieberman Party, it's been a busy year.
John Orman, Political Professor at Fairfield University, successfully took over Joe Lieberman's CFL Party when the Senator forgot to join.
Dr. Orman, changed his affiliation from Democrat to the new party and crafted party rules, which were accepted by Bysiewicz in January.
We had our first meeting and elected officers.
We've formally requested that the Senator stop misleading the people of Connecticut.
We've called for Joe's resignation.
And we still have five more years of keeping Joe accountable now, thanks to our Secretary of State.
What kind of precedent is Ms. Bysiewicz allowing?
To contact the Secretary of State's office:
Legislation and Elections Administration Division:
Telephone: 860-509-6100
EMail:lead@po.state.ct.us