May 2, 2006
Challenging the Status Quo
By Kathleen Amoia

Area Democratic Town Committees were recently given the opportunity to meet Ned Lamont, the Democratic challenger for Joe Lieberman's Senate seat. Forty people braved heavy rains to listen to Mr. Lamont share his views on national and state issues and field a variety of related questions. The meeting was hosted by the Haddam Democratic Town Committee in Town Hall.

Lamont, a cable television entrepreneur from Greenwich, is introducing himself to Democratic organizations throughout the state in preparation for an August primary which would pit him against incumbent Democrat, Joseph Lieberman. He sees his mission as one of refocusing attention on our state and country and reinvesting capital in both.

Part of that reinvesting, Lamont explained, lies in developing a universal health care policy and promoting and funding the best educational system in the world. He is an advocate of universal preschool and a longer school day. He also envisions encouraging the state's universities to work closely with Connecticut businesses and industries to develop technological advances relevant to the future. Such planning, he believes, would create first rate jobs for Connecticut's graduates.

A campaign based on the discussion of issues, preferably face to face, is the campaign Ned Lamont would like to see unfold. He recognizes the complexity of the issues now crying for solutions at all levels of government and wants to see them addressed in depth and not in sound bites. Lamont disagrees with Lieberman on several key issue including Iraq and the recently passed Energy Bill. He sees earmarks, like “the bridge to nowhere”, as degrading government and part of what needs reforming.

Implicit in Lamont's presentation and audience questions was a sense of urgency about America's future and the need for clearer, more compelling planning than that currently offered (or not offered) in Washington. Lamont wants his party to ask itself “What type of party are we and what kind of country do we want?” And he wants to help articulate the answer. In his opinion, just being anti-Bush will not satisfy the electorate, nor should it.

Lamont's challenge is definitely rocking what once seemed a well secured boat. Feet will get wet. Hopefully, roiling the waters will lead to honest, and thoughtful debate.

The first hurdle on the road to the senate seat is the state Democratic Convention in May at which Lamont would need 15% of the vote to trigger a primary in August. A qualifying number of signatures on a petition could also result in a primary should he not receive the necessary votes at the convention. In either case, the citizens of Connecticut get to be heard and have a choice, as long as they participate.

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