If you have never heard of the name Edward Lamont, then you are about too because he is all set to challenge Joe Lieberman for his Seante seat this year.
Lamont, a former Greenwich cable executive said in a statement today that he will challenge Lieberman because Joe has a lot to answer for in his support of the war in Iraq.
Lamont said that "He, (Joe), has been a little too close to the president on the war. I have no problem supporting the president when he's right, but I have no trouble criticizing him when he's wrong".
With regards to the "daunting" task that he has in front of him, Lamont said "I have to be blunt. I suppose their are challengers all over the country asking whether they should be challenging or giving the incumbant a free pass". And the polls show that Lieberman is much more popular with Republicans than with Democrats, plus I feel that he's been too outspoken in his stay the course in Iraq stratedy".
Lamont said he would gladly accept the $68,000 earmarked for "any Democrat" willing to run against Lieberman already pledged on the internet.
For his part, Lieberman was upset at the fact that he has a challenge from his own party, but vowed to continue working for the betterment of the state of Connecticut, and for the people. In recent polls, Lieberman has a 64% approval rating, which has held steady in the past few months, although he has seen his support dip amongst Democrats because of his support for the war.
Lamont is a graduate of Harvard College ansd Yale school of management, and is the president, founder and chairman of the board of the privately held Lamont digital systems, which is headquartered in Greenwich.
Those in the know, give Lamont almost no shot at beating Lieberman, but the Senator will have to expend some of his energy, and shore up his Democratic base.