In the week since the Democratic party in CT voted for change, Bush, Rove, and repuglicans everywhere have ome to Lieberman's aid. Sometimes obliquely, sometimes overtly. But we all knew that now that the WH was essentially behind Lieberman (Bush is noted for rewarding loyalty after all), that it wouldn't take long for the race to go off the charts into bizzarro world.
First up for today's endorsement of Lieberman (courtesy of the Stamford Adovacte) is
A national group calling itself the nonpartisan Vets For Freedom ran a full-page ad yesterday in The Hartford Courant praising the 18-year-incumbent for not changing his position on the conflict despite significant political pressure and mounting public disapproval.
Sounds a lot like the Swiftboat Veteran's for Truth group to me.
"Thank you Senator Lieberman," reads the ad. "Iraq and Afghanistan are complicated wars. But you have not let politics influence your position. We are grateful for your integrity, leadership and unwavering commitment to America's troops."
The ad features a photo of Josh Clark, a National Guardsman from Willimantic who was wounded in Iraq in 2003 and supports Lieberman.
Wade Zirkle, a decorated Marine lieutenant who served two deployments in Iraq, is executive director of Vets For Freedom. He said Lieberman is the first of several candidates the group, which was launched earlier this year, hopes to support.
"We're unabashedly 'pro-mission.' We believe in what we fought for and want politicians in Washington to stand by what they sent us out to do," Zirkle said in a phone interview. "(Lieberman's) been so steadfast in support of the mission and abandoned by many in his party because of it."
Zirkle said voters in Connecticut could expect to see more Vets For Freedom radio and television spots for Lieberman and possibly receive phone calls from members seeking support for the senator.
George Jepsen, former state Democratic Party chairman and a Lamont supporter, yesterday compared Vets For Freedom to Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. That group attacked Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry's decorated Vietnam War record.
"This is a familiar process where the far right uses their money to tear down a Democrat," Jepsen said. "They did it to John Kerry on his war record two years ago. They're doing it to Ned Lamont now on the war in Iraq."
The other endorsement I heard on News Channel 12, but have not been able to find a link for. They are reporting that the speaker of the CT House of Representative, James Amann, from the 118th District in Milford (phone 203-783-1910) is endorsing Joe Lieberman over his party's choice of Ned Lamont.
According to News12 Amann is already being called a traitor, but Amann defends himself by saying "sometimes you have to stick by friends no matter what the political consequences may be."
I have 2 thoughts on this: 1) Everyone contact his office and let him know what they think of his decision; 2)The Lamont campaign should call him once a day until teh election and ask him for his support. After all, if Joe wins, as an independent he is in no position to help CT Dems. But when Lamont wins he will ride a massive national tidal wave that will help the state.
Happy Tuesday everybody!!