Joe now 5-for-5 with major Connecticut papers

Posted Nov. 2nd - (the day of the debate that Joe it TOO CHICKEN to attend!)

Today Joe got three more glowing newspapers endorsements — the Stamford Advocate, Greenwich Time, and the Connecticut Post -- making him 5-for-5 with major Connecticut papers for the general election.

The joint endorsement of the Stamford Advocate and the Greenwich Time picked up on and validated a central argument of our campaign, that Joe is the only candidate who can fix the partisan gridlock blocking progress in Washington on so many critical issues.

America needs change in Congress. Partisanship and one-party domination often result in divisiveness or myopic national and world views that do not allow mistakes to be challenged on issues like Iraq and the war on terrorism. But some experience and an emphasis on dialogue among lawmakers will be required if change is to be productive. Thus, even though we have been troubled by U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman's support for Iraq war goals that seem increasingly stymied, we believe he is the right choice now for both America and Connecticut.

A Democrat running independently for re-election, Mr. Lieberman has stressed cooperation at times with the current Republican majority. In a new Congress, that background and approach could help him become a bridge between some of the current, bitterly partisan positions. Such divisiveness in recent years has produced bad legislation and prevented consensus and reasonable compromise that we think most Americans would prefer.

The Advocate and Time editors also noted the unique value of Joe’s experience, saying at this time in our history, we need a Senator with more experience and demonstrated abilities than Ned Lamont.

We think Mr. Lieberman has shown the required qualities. He is equipped to promote change for the better in a new Congress and two years down the road with a new administration -- perhaps even on Iraq and other international issues -- and help obtain proper recognition of our state's need

The Connecticut Post editorial celebrated Joe’s independent-mindedness and willingness to take tough stands for what he believes is right.

Lieberman is not your orthodox party politician. Time after time, he has risen above partisanship to vote his principles and time after time he has reached across the political aisle to build coalitions based on those beliefs and what he feels is correct for America and for Connecticut.

He is a politician not afraid of taking risks and upsetting people, including his party and his constituents.

And like their counterparts at the Advocate and many Connecticut voters, the Post editors emphasized Joe’s experience and his ability to deliver results for the state.

Ned Lamont, the novice Democrat who won the party's nomination in the August primary, simply hasn't made a compelling case for why he would make a better senator.

Lamont is a successful businessman who is quite intelligent and articulate in detail on issues. Aside from the Iraq war, however, he and Lieberman really don't differ that much on basic issues, especially domestic affairs.

Why trade in experience for a freshman face?. . .

Lieberman, though he may be a petitioning candidate, clearly represents the best choice for Connecticut based on his experience and the hard work that has been characteristic of his overall career in state and national politics.
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Posted by: Eric Blankenbaker on 11/2/2006 at 12:33 PM