I am writing this diary to correct some deceptive information that was posted by a commenter on DailyKos and my own formulations on the candidate. I am not an Obama fanatic but, for a variety of reasons, I think he is the best "top tier" candidate. With that said, I do have some reservations and I am receptive to the argument that we need a fighter, not a compromiser, when it comes to defeating the conservative movement. So I was distraught when an Edwards supporter posted a comment stating that Barack Obama had endorsed the king of capitulation, Joe Lieberman. After a bit of research, I discovered that this comment was (surprise, surprise) an unfair characterization of Obama's support for Lieberman.
On Thursday, March 30, 2006, at an annual dinner for Connecticut Democrats, Barack Obama said
I am absolutely certain Connecticut is going to have the good sense to send Joe Lieberman back to the U.S. Senate so he can continue to serve on our behalf
and history actually proved him accurate in his prediction (good sense, not withstanding). But Obama also said that there was an "elephant in the room" and that "I know some in the party have differences with Joe". Clearly Lieberman's support for the war was on Obama's mind when he gave his keynote speech at the gathering. Lieberman was not as well-received as Obama and was even booed at several points.
What is critical to for context here is that this dinner took place only two weeks after Ned Lamont announced his run on March 13th and Lieberman commanded a forty-six point lead in the polls. In short, Lieberman's nomination looked like a done deal. Did Obama make a mistake by endorsing his former mentor? Yes, I think he did, but given their personal history and the timing, I think it is forgivable given his subsequent behavior.
Seven months later, in the heat of the race, Obama put his words and money behind Ned Lamont
Ned Lamont got a boost Thursday from one of the Democratic party's brightest rising stars, Sen. Barack Obama.
The Illinois senator and potential 2008 presidential candidate sent an e-mail message to his Connecticut supporters urging them to rally behind Lamont's challenge to three-term Sen. Joe Lieberman.
"Ned Lamont has waged an impressive grass roots campaign to give the people of Connecticut a choice in the November Senate election," Obama wrote. "Please join me in supporting Ned Lamont with your hard work on-the-ground in these closing weeks of the campaign."
The Lamont camp said Obama's e-mail went to about 5,000 Connecticut residents.
Lamont aides said they welcomed the support of Obama, who has enjoyed a surge in popularity in recent weeks as speculation about his national ambitions mounts.
"He's a very credible, charismatic and inspiring politician," said senior Lamont adviser Tom D'Amore. "We're thrilled to have his support.
Obama has also given $5,000 to Lamont's campaign through a political committee.
"Ned Lamont and I share a commitment to bringing our troops home safely from Iraq, to achieving energy independence, to helping all our citizens realize the American dream, and to empowering the American people to reclaim their government," Obama wrote.
Update: Ned Lamont has donated $4,600 to the Obama and Dodd campaigns h/t DemocraticLuntz and Stroszek.
Update 2: Whether Obama's support for Lamont can be considered "active campaigning" is not the point of this diary. I have revised my words more precisely describe these events.