New Haven Independent

Posted by: charlie | August 21, 2006 3:10 PM

Regardless of anyone's feelings for Lieberman, this is absolute nonsense. Lieberman is not saying he is running as the Democratic Party nominee. Anyone can call themselves a Democrat on television no matter who they are - I wouldn't care if Cheney or Bush called themselves a Democrat, a Republican, a Socialist, or what have you.

Posted by: hacker bob | August 21, 2006 3:58 PM

http://search.cga.state.ct.us/surs/chap143.htm#Sec9-61.htm would be the URL "shortcut" for the cyber-impaired.

Posted by: LindaR | August 21, 2006 4:07 PM

I'm not a citizen of Connecticut, but I've been a little bit bewildered that you would let someone "belong" to one party while running against that party as a candidate for another party. It seemed a little crazy to me.

Also, why do newspapers keep referring to Joe Lieberman running as "an Independent" when he is running as a "Connecticut For Lieberman" candidate?

Posted by: Kat | August 21, 2006 4:14 PM

(saw this on the front page of google news today, Paul et. al - congratulations!)

Posted by: Dana B | August 21, 2006 4:16 PM

Thanks for covering this story. It's not just peace activists who want Joe Lieberman to shed the Democrat label. Many, many Democrats in Connecticut want him stripped of that affiliation. Sometimes it takes people who are outside the moderate mainstream to jumpstart what should be done. Hats off to Mr. Lowendorf and others. By the way, Mr. Lownendorf's name means "village of the lion(s)". Maybe he should be called, "Henry, the Lion-hearted" for taking on Lieberman's hypocrisy on this issue.

Posted by: Fr. Hector Trevino | August 21, 2006 4:27 PM

This should have happened a long time ago. I applaud the members of the Democratic party in Liebermans home town for taking this appropriate actiona call on the Georgia people to do this same with their former Senator that spoke at the Republican convention on behalf of George Bush.

Posted by: Con lie liberman | August 21, 2006 4:35 PM

did you ever realize that Lieberman for Connecticut
abbreviates to the Con-Lie party?

Posted by: TrueBlueCT | August 21, 2006 5:30 PM

Where does Joe Lieberman live? Someone says he sold his Westville home and moved into an apartment at 900 Chapel Street. Yet he voted in his old ward at the Edgewood School.

Is this legal?

Why is it that Joe is demonstrating such a disdain for the political process? Does he think himself above it all?

Kudos to Lowendorf and company for forcing Joe to do what's right. Frankly Lieberman's got a lot of nerve to carry on about what a good Democrat he is. What with his new political base being comprised of the CT Republican Party!

Posted by: TrueBlueCT | August 21, 2006 5:30 PM

Where does Joe Lieberman live? Someone says he sold his Westville home and moved into an apartment at 900 Chapel Street. Yet he voted in his old ward at the Edgewood School.

Is this legal?

Why is it that Joe is demonstrating such a disdain for the political process? Does he think himself above it all?

Kudos to Lowendorf and company for forcing Joe to do what's right. Frankly Lieberman's got a lot of nerve to carry on about what a good Democrat he is. What with his new political base being comprised of the CT Republican Party!

Posted by: Tony | August 21, 2006 5:34 PM

Me thinks the Lamont supporters are feeling the vice tighten!

Posted by: kelly | August 21, 2006 5:45 PM

I think it is time we get rid off him from political arena for good, because he failed us all for good 18 years. Why I think its time he should go? well as we all know he doesn't compaing for the welfare and wellbeing of Democrat supporters instead he lobbes for the Jew estate. Joe should be realistic about his position and why he was elected and the mandate he was elected for, which is to bring prosperity and advancement to his electorate. Why people deserted him, well its obivious becuase he doesn't critised the policies and failures Bush brough to USA instead he supports his policies whether its domestic or otherwise.

Posted by: robn | August 21, 2006 6:36 PM

Its about time somebody spoke the truth about this utter fiasco. Sen Lieberman is embarrassing both Connecticut and the Democratic party with his double-dipping antics. Party leaders should reject him...as did the rank and file when they voted for Lamont.

Posted by: James | August 21, 2006 8:52 PM

I'm no lawyer but I just took a look at the statute and it seems that Joe may be alright as he is not enrolling in another political party. He is running as an independant.

Posted by: Reza | August 21, 2006 8:58 PM

Joe librman is a republican. We want a real democrat candidat

Posted by: Jack | August 21, 2006 9:13 PM

Last time I checked it was a free country. If the voters want Joe in the General Election then he will be elected if not he will be sent packing. More choice in the election is better. I wish people that are involved in the political game had more faith in democracy and were committed to the process of giving anyone a shot at elected office.

Posted by: Sandy | August 21, 2006 9:52 PM

I am a dyed-in-the-wool Democrat. I live in New Mexico and at this point in time, I am ashamed to call myself a Democrat when I see the idiots in Conneticut acting like 2-year olds. If Lieberman wants to run as an Independent, let him run and stop playing these "side political games." You make the Democrats as a whole look foolish. This is supposed to be a democracy and every qualified candidate can run for office. What is the matter - are you afraid he may win? The polls sure show his strength. I for one do not support Lieberman's stand on the war, but I fear that those supposedly in the know in Conneticut are leaning too far to the right, and will dimish the chances of the Democrats recovering any seats in Congress. WAKE UP AND SMELL THE ROSES!

Posted by: maheanuu | August 21, 2006 10:48 PM

When you run against the party, you are NO Longer a member of that party... I didn't like him when he was running for VP and care less about him now... He's a effing DINO, a me first kind of repig wannabe... He should be stripped of all the commities he has been serving on and given a position as a indie as that is how he is running.... Perhaps he and Allen can share confidences...

Posted by: ctkeith | August 21, 2006 11:20 PM

VICE,Lieberman was up amongst ALL voters by 25 points a month ago and last week he was up by 12.

2 months ago he was up by 40.The Vice is opening not closing and even Joe knows it.

This Election is about IRAQ.If you think the people of CT are going to vote the Bush/Cheney/Lieberman/Rove "Stay the course" line you are in for a HUGE suprise.

I still think Lieberman goes away long before November.Shimon Peres having dinner with Lamont kinda gave away which way Israel thinks this election is going to end too.

The Entire world is holding its breath hoping for the Democrats to take back both houses of Congress and restore Sanity to our Country.Lets not disappoint them again.

Posted by: Jukemonkey | August 21, 2006 11:31 PM

[quote]Me thinks the Lamont supporters are feeling the vice tighten![/quote]

Huh? What vice? (???)

I mean uhh yeah, take *that* Lamont!

Posted by: Ziv | August 21, 2006 11:47 PM

Lieberman voted the Democratic line for 18 years, against ANWAR despite the increased cost of gas, voted to kill unborn children despite the obvious questions about the morality of it, voted against the right to defend oneself most of us thought had been ensured in the Bill of Rights, but when Lieberman votes against allowing Saddam to continue his reign of terror, against the butcher who gassed the Kurds and screwed the world by paying Galloway and others to turn a blind eye to the payola of 'Oil for Food', then, Lieberman is the bad guy.
Lamont is a spoiled rich kid, born on third base and living his life boasting he hit a triple. We have had enough of these lightweights, look at Gore, Bush II and Kerry, I firmly believe they haven't done us a shred of good, tho at least W kept the Supreme Court from moving closer to Breyers positions. I have to admit that though I despise both parties, I would vote for W if he was running against Lamont or Kerry, but if it was Warner or Zell Miller I wouldn't hesitate a moment, I would vote for the Democrat. But the Democrats are going to nominate a Kos candidate rather than a moderate, and the Democrats will lose again. Unfortunately, the Repubs will nominate McCain and I despise him as well.
The bottom line is that Lieberman thinks Lamont is a loser that the Democratic Party should avoid, I haven't heard anyone that thought that Joe would caucus with the Repubs if he won, the only question is whether the NutRoots will run the Dems, and I don't think they will.
But, how much do you want to bet that the Democrats will nominate a Senator for their presidential candidate? And when did the last Democratic nominee that was a Senator win? And the last democratic presidential candidates that won were from where, and their jobs were?

Posted by: Jon | August 22, 2006 12:57 AM

Who has the right to take away your political affiliation? Would you like to be denied entry to vote in the primary because someone said you were not toting the party line? He's running as a democrat, just like your banker or grocer might be a democrat - who can strip someone of that?

It's anti-intelligent to say that just because he's been in politics for so long he should be kicked out - as if they want Kennedy and others out who have been in forever.

I suppose the questions are: Should the people be allowed to vote for the candidate of their choice, or should we not hold a free election? Should we strip citizens of their political affiliation if they don't think just like us?

It is quite surprising and shameful to see how our party has become so rabid, that we foam at the mouth and are attacking our prior pick for VP.

Posted by: Abdul | August 22, 2006 1:16 AM

You bunch of communists in Cunticut. Go and raise some taxes, buy another volvo, have a Venti Latte, sue someone, and vote for a real man like George Dubya Busch.

Posted by: Hawkeye | August 22, 2006 2:08 AM

Joe Lieberman can say he is a Democrat all he wants. What he can't do is run for re-election as a Democrat. He lost that primary. Joe Lieberman is now the sole member of the Conneticut for Lieberman
party and should be identified as such.

Posted by: blackjack | August 22, 2006 3:58 AM

I do not live in CT. but in my humble opinion Lieberman is not a DEMOCRAT HE is an IND., REPUBLICAN look who is backing him BUSH AND BUSHES BRAIN KARL ROVE. AND Lieberman is using Karl Roves play book. And if he is elected he will be a REPUBLICAN. Quit trying to make Lieberman into something he is not HE is a REPUBLICAN alway has BEEN. JUST take a real close look at his voting record.

Posted by: CON-LIE | August 22, 2006 5:20 AM

For those that aren't following this closely, Lieberman is not running as an Independent. In Connecticut, there is a minor party called the Independent party. In Connecticut, what most people think of as an independent campaign, would be called a petitioning candidate. That is a candidate running independently of a political party.

However, that is not what Sen. Lieberman is doing. He has created his own minor political party, called 'Connecticut for Lieberman'. The reason to set up a minor political party is that minor political parties get listed above petitioning candidates.

However, Prof. John Orman of Fairfield University is questioning the legitimacy of the Connecticut for Lieberman party. In a complaint filed with the Secretary of State's Office, Prof. Orman writes, "He is trying to undermine our state laws about the creation of legitimate third parties by forming this fraudulent association. He has no party rules. He nominated, seconded and accepted his own nomination. He has no third party platform so his association cannot be about any new ideas. He is just trying to contest and challenge the results of a fair election on August 8,2006 on the grounds that he lost."

If Sen. Lieberman were committed to a new politics of unity, then perhaps he should have formed a real 'unity' party, or other real third parties like the 'reform' party or the 'A Connecticut Party'.

No, by all appearances, Sen. Lieberman is simply trying to game the system in his own self-interest and not in the interest of the citizens of Connecticut.

Will the effort be effective? I guess this depends on your perspective. Whether or not Sen. Lieberman gets stripped of his party membership probably doesn't matter that much. What does matter is that people start looking at Sen. Lieberman's record and seeing what sort of leadership he has provided. Has he led on any important issues of the day, or simply on trying to preserve his own seat.

The closer people look, the more they will realize it is the later.

Posted by: Mike H. | August 22, 2006 8:33 AM

Lieberman did NOT vote "the Democratic line" for 18 years -- that's a flat out lie. He voted against the Democrats on some crucial, critical, and long-standing Democratic policies, particularly in the past 6 years. He has also BLASTED Democrats while supporting Bush and Bush policies -- policies that were based on LIES and SPIN and UNCONSTITUTIONAL LAW-BREAKING.

He's given aid and comfort to the Republicans at a time when it was most important to stand against them, and he's done it over and over and over again.

Only people who haven't paid ANY attention at all to Lieberman's words and votes of the last six years would think he's an actual member of the Democratic party.

Bottom line, he's a self-centered power-hungry Republican-supporting insider who feels entitled to the Senatorship and feels disdain towards the voters.

Posted by: Ron Cantrell | August 22, 2006 9:45 AM

It would be totally proper to take Joe's democrat tag away from him. Here in Texas, we had a long time Democrat Judge who was removed from the ballot because he voted for a friend in the Republican Primary. If you want to be a Democrat, support Democrats.

Posted by: Jay | August 22, 2006 10:44 AM

This reminds me of Communist Party purges. Lieberman has been a lifelong Democract. He disagrees with the majority of the party now, but that's no reason to purge him from the party. Let's practice a little tolerance! And as a practical matter, when Lieberman wins the general election, don't we want him to vote with the Democracts in the Senate on leadership issues ?

Posted by: wickywoo | August 22, 2006 11:01 AM

[quote]Who has the right to take away your political affiliation? Would you like to be denied entry to vote in the primary because someone said you were not toting the party line? He's running as a democrat, just like your banker or grocer might be a democrat - who can strip someone of that?
[/quote]

The parties are a private organization, and as the Boy Scouts fought so hard to prove, you can kick anyone out you want to

In this case, because the national party is unwilling to publically give Joe the punishment he so richly deserves, there is a state law that prevents people from jumping parties just to screwjob other people without penalty.

Joe should have been kicked out by the national party the second he filed those papers, and at the same time been demoted to Senate Minority Towel Boy in senority.

Posted by: Anon | August 22, 2006 11:38 AM

The issue is whether the rules will or will not prevail. If the CT officials do not enforce the clear laws cited -- by removing Lieberman -- then CT needs to find other officials who will enforce the law.

Posted by: TSM | August 22, 2006 12:37 PM

So long Joe. You just can't take a hint and finally the party would not support you at the convention. Why must you persist? It is not about serving us, the people of Connecticut,but your ego.

Remember Joe, the countless grabs for attention about "investigating" the oil companies, each time there was a price spike, and you did NOTHING. Oh, except to support Cheney's energy bill. thanks

Remember the vote for war....and then after the liars were revealed, you continued to support them and the war. Think about the many who have died, been maimed for life, and the family separations.....

There is so much more....your hubris has eclipsed your false humility.

Do you see now why you are finished? I guess you do not.

Joe, thanks for the memories. You may say you are a democract....but long ago, you went bad.

Posted by: Conn.-Lie. Party | August 22, 2006 1:52 PM

the funniest part of this is it is entirely self inflicted.

if joementum ran as a true independent not with the Conn. Lie. party he could still be a democrat. I don't understand how the connecticut media does not understand joe is not an independent. He is neither running indepedent of a party nor is he the independent candidate.. he is the Conn. -Lie. party candidate.

However, he created his own party to have his name a few lines higher on the ballot.. typical pattern of always wanting everything both ways.

Posted by: nfjanette | August 22, 2006 7:19 PM

The Entire world is holding its breath hoping for the Democrats to take back both houses of Congress and restore Sanity to our Country

Exactly when was that Utopian snapshot in time when Democrats held a majority of seats in both houses of Congress? Looking back in history, I see significant Democratic support for various military actions - what exactly do you think will be different? Most would have voted for the war in Iraq; the question is, would another administration done a better job at planning and execution of the task, and of getting out ASAP?

It's sad, but somewhat amusing, to see the Democrats tearing themselves up over this affair. That's why I'll always be an independent voter - note the small "i", not the registered party of that name in this state. That way, I can vote for candidates based upon their merits, rather than because of some bizarre sense of party "loyalty". So, I'll never have to vote for a Greenwich millionaire who is running as a liberal candidate for the common man, which I couldn't do without laughing myself silly at the voting both. I can vote for Senator Lieberman based upon his success as a senator for this state and this country, not because I agree with every decision made or position held, and not because I either like or dislike Democratic candidates, but because on the whole his record has been a good one in my opinion.

Posted by: billmoria | August 22, 2006 7:24 PM

Sore Loser Joe is going to lose the general election as well. Would he publicly announce that he would not accept a position in the Bush Administration which would allow a Republican Governor to appoint a Republican to the Senate if he were to resign? I think not: He is the candidate of Bush and Rove. His political party he created for this election is certainly illegal but in true Republican fashion breaking the law for political gain is no problem. Democrats in Connecticut are going to send him home a two time loser. Everything he thinks he has accomplished in his 18 year career in Washington is going to be tarred by this action.

Posted by: robn | August 22, 2006 10:47 PM

If anybody out there resents Ned Lamont for being a rich "Greenwich millionaire" please take note that Sen Lieberman spent twice as much as Mr.Lamont's campaign for the primary. If you resent large amounts of money, please ask yourself, "where did Sen Lieberman's money come from and why didn't his copiuous spending have an affect on Connecticut voters?"

Drop the class-war prejudice and open your eyes to the truth. Since 1980, only 4 incumbent senators have lost their seats. This primary defeat was a major blow out for Sen Lieberman and an affirmation that Connecticut Democrats agree with Ned Lamont and disagree with this war.

Posted by: Conn. Lie. Party for lieberman | August 23, 2006 9:27 AM

Joementum is very adept at manipulating the play along media.

Joe out spent Lamont 2 to 1 in the primary and still lost.

More of Joe's money came from out of state than lamont.

And joe gets all his money from Mega Corporations and PACs - he is beholden to corporate and CAFTA NAFTA interests. Lamont is self financed and doesn't have to compromise his principals like Joe does pimping for cash.

I wish the media could do a better job of reporting facts, not opinion and we probably wouldn't even be in Iraq.

Posted by: Anon | August 23, 2006 2:21 PM

Mr. Lieberman is fighting for his 'career' BECAUSE he likes the Washington scene, the perks of the office (medical benefits, free stamps, a website, good retiremant plan etc.) and needs something to do until he retires. He should have bowed out graciously ...

He is definitely NOT my candidate!!

Posted by: Steve | August 23, 2006 10:43 PM

Does anyone really believe, that should Joey Liberman get elected, he would think about anything but his personal objectives of self projection. This man is a pure opportunist. I hope he get's to be Georgie B's house boy in Crawford, TX. He is a politician that should be painted as the others in CT who have disgraced our great state. Place a black shroud over his portrait.