New Haven Independent

Wait a second, mayor, didn’t you endorse Joe?

DeStefano’s in a sticky place, energized by his co-appearances with Lamont (which continued Thursday), yet staying true to his pledge to support his long-time political pal and hometown co-inhabitant, Lieberman.

As the mayor of Joe Lieberman’s hometown, New Haven’s DeStefano endorsed Lieberman’s reelection early. But he then said he would endorse Lieberman only through the Democratic primary and support the winner of that primary in November — even if Lamont wins and Lieberman runs as an independent.

Since then, Lamont’s uphill campaign has caught fire. Lamont has pulled ahead of Lieberman and sparked the most popular enthusiasm of any race this year. Both Lamont and DeStefano lost bids to be endorsed by the state Democratic Party convention, so they’re running alongside each other on the Aug. 8 ballot. DeStefano leads in his race for governor, but his lead, and momentum, have been slipping. Now he’s finding himself beside Lamont in public — and in need of having some of that fire rub off on his campaign.

Speaking to a crowd that had just stood on their feet for a pro-Lamont speech, DeStefano didn’t mention the senate race. He focused on a theme of change: Election day is about choices, “more of the same, or doing something different,” such as universal health care, an issue on which he and Lamont agree. He led the crowd to repeat: “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a better result.” That’s why, said DeStefano, you should vote against Gov. Rell and Dan Malloy.

DeStefano and Lamont spent Wednesday evening together in Bridgeport and New Haven, focusing on getting out the black vote with the Jackson/Sharpton duo. They were scheduled to join Jackson at a Hartford event Thursday morning. Said DeStefano of his co-appearance with the rising Senate challenger, whose race has drawn national attention: “We just happened to be doing the endorsement together.” He repeated his pledge of loyalty: “In my 13 years as mayor, Joe has always been there for the city.”