Posted by Jill Zuckman at 11:15 a.m.
WASHINGTON - Ned Lamont, the Democratic nominee for Senate running against incumbent Joe Lieberman in Connecticut, is quick to say that he’s not an entrenched politician, mired in the ways of the nation’s Capitol.
“I’m not running on my long political resume, that’s for sure,’’ he told reporters over breakfast, before actually proving his point.
When asked whether he would vote to confirm Lieberman as Defense Secretary if he were to win Lieberman’s Senate seat and if President Bush were to nominate Lieberman to the cabinet post, Lamont paused, and chuckled.
I watch Meet the Press a lot, you know how they always answer that question - ‘I don’t answer hypotheticals,’ ” he said, trying to take the politicians’ way out.
Susan Page of USA Today informed Lamont that he’d already been “uncharacteristically candid” and encouraged him not to quit now.
“Oh, touche,’’ replied Lamont, looking for a different question, but then diving back in.
“You know, I don’t think I would,’’ he said of the hypothetical confirmation vote. “I know the man, I respect the man, he’s a man of integrity. I’ve never spoken ill of him throughout this entire campaign, but he’s been so wrong on one of the biggest issues of the day for so long that the idea that he would go take over as Secretary of Defense, I just couldn’t do that.’’
Lamont, who rode a wave of discontent over the war in Iraq to beat Lieberman in the Democratic primary Aug. 8, was in Washington to meet with Democratic party leaders, as well as union officials and members of the American Enterprise Institute think tank. He said he hoped to get help with fundraising and policy support from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, led by Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.).
When asked whether he would support impeachment proceedings against President Bush if Democrats take control of Congress, Lamont said he would not.
“I can’t bear putting the country through that again,’’ he said, calling it a “terrible signal” to future presidents. At the same time, Lamont said he believes Bush’s authorization of wiretaps was illegal and said he would like to hold the president accountable.
“I prefer having hearings,’’ he said.
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Comments
CONN VOTERS:
Vote for Ned Lamont
Vote for change
Do you really want a guy(Joe Lieberman),who lost in the Dem primary,yet then changes over,and runs as an Independent, representing you in Congress ???
Joe Lieberman,by doing this,shows that he cares more about remaining a US Senator,than representing the people of CONN.
Joe Lieberman= Modern Day Benidict Arnold
Posted by: John E. | September 6, 2006 2:35 PM
Hearings yes please I want the 26 Billion of missing tax payers money in Iraq to be found. I want the 750 signing statements done by the President look at. The signing statement made by Bush on the 26 billion missing has to be justified. Why would you sign something that stops us from finding our money not his.
Posted by: Dale Peters | September 6, 2006 3:00 PM
"Vote for change" Hey maybe some over the hill rock stars should tour on that slogan. It might work.
Oh wait.
Benedict Arnold?? You mean the American who was known as a traitor because of seceret information obtained from a warantless intercept from an enemy combantant?
The John E. of the 1770's would have cried to let him go.
Posted by: JD | September 6, 2006 11:30 PM
Lamont should have stayed the course on his first answer. He might have added, "It wouldn't surprise me if President Bush nominated Joe Lieberman to be his Secretary of Defense. But until he does, I can't comment on how I'd vote on a hypothetical appointment. If I started doing that, we'd be here all day."
Posted by: Jorge from Bloomington | September 8, 2006 7:07 AM