Lieberman Censure Tabled Until December
by Christine Stuart | September 24, 2008 8:03 PM
Posted to General News
(Updated 9:28 p.m.) The Democratic State Central Committee voted in favor of tabling a resolution to censure US Senator Joseph Lieberman until after the November election.
The proposed resolution scolded Lieberman for his performance at the Republican National Convention and asked him to resign as a member of the Democratic Party.
Audrey Blondin, the main proponent of Wednesday’s resolution, said when Lieberman spoke in support of Republican presidential nominee John McCain earlier this month “it was the final straw for her personally.” However, she recognized that a majority of Democrats in the room felt the resolution was a distraction from the campaigns.
“Good politics is not about me, it’s about we,” Blondin said explaining her decision to table the resolution.
In a brief interview following the vote, Blondin said she was surprised at how much discussion was prompted by the resolution. She said she thought it was a good idea to have Democratic Town Committees across the state discuss it, before it comes back before the Democratic State Central Committee for a vote on December 17.
The executive board of the Milford Democratic Town Committee and the Hebron Town Committee have already voted on the resolution.
AFL-CIO President John Olsen said the way to rebuke Lieberman is to elect Democratic nominee Barack Obama president. He said he thinks “Joe has made a mistake,” in choosing to align himself with McCain.
Blondin said by stumping for McCain Lieberman had made a mockery of the state Democratic party.
Olsen disagreed. “Joe has disappointed me, he’s angered me, but he hasn’t made a mockery out of me,” he said.
Olsen said the best way for Democrats in the state to get back at Lieberman is to elect Obama president.
Lieberman isn’t up for re-election until 2012, but if Democrats gain a bigger majority in the US Senate, it’s likely he could lose his committee assignments.
Comments (4)
Posted by: Terry | September 25, 2008 8:41 AM
I believe Sen. Lieberman is an Independent now. Yes, he usually aligns himself with the Dems on votes but y'all threw him under the bus for Lamont. No need to censure the good Senator. What about Sen. Dudd? I don't hear anyone wanting to censure him. His sweetheart mortgage deals? Remember that??? As Chairman of the Banking comm., he was asleep at the switch.
Posted by: Tessa Marquis | September 25, 2008 9:31 AM
Fire them all and let God sort it out.
"Democrats in the room felt the resolution was a distraction from the campaigns."
This is the same chicken-ass argument I heard in 2006 and then locally about an anti-war resolution someone offered at a meeting of city Democrats during the 07 municipal elections.
Joe Lieberman actually came to Milford that year to campaign against the Democratic Party nominee for Mayor, promising $500,000 to the city that was never delivered.
State Central membership needs to grow a pair or get out of the way.
Posted by: John L. Miller | September 25, 2008 1:23 PM
Holy Joe has never come to NW CT because he knows how we've felt about him for years. This is solid Ned Lamont country.
However, since the Democratic majority rests on his vote, let's wait until after the election and see if we gain a true majority. Then we can take action.
Posted by: THREEFIFTHS | September 29, 2008 10:10 AM
You should also censure jim amman and the other democratic politicians who broke party lines and surported joe the judas lieberman.