The Westport News and Related Papers Endorse Ned Lamont For U.S. Senate

The Westport News (as well as related papers in Greenwich, Darien, Norwalk, Fairfield, and New Canaan endorsed earlier today Ned Lamont for U.S. Senate here in Connecticut.

Below is the endorsement statement .

U.S. Senator
Sen. Joseph Lieberman's staunch support of the increasingly unpopular War in Iraq and his growing reputation for hedging his bets has diminished his reputation. In addition, the negativity of the senatorial campaign, along with the Shays vs. Farrell brouhaha, has disturbed many voters and reinforced a general distaste for politics as usual.
Particularly telling is the TV footage from Lieberman's 1988 campaign against Lowell Weicker in which he calls for change, says he will not miss more than 300 votes and promises not to serve more than three terms. In a sense, he has become his own opponent.
The Republican Party candidate, Alan Schlesinger, although he did fairly well in the debates, has essentially been abandoned by his party. According to some polls, as many as 70 percent of Republicans are reportedly supporting Lieberman, who formed his own party after his stunning loss to Ned Lamont in the Democratic Primary.
For his part, Lamont is a quick study and is growing into the role fast. He has even started to show signs of brilliance. We endorse Lamont because he has become more than just a lightning rod for anti-war sentiment. He has become a fresh and intelligent voice for change, something we sorely need in Washington.
As a businessman and a political outsider, he has an independent streak and should be less susceptible to politics as usual, lobbying and large campaign donations. Lamont doesn't need the position or the money. He wants to serve.