Lieberman Endorsed By Top Two Connecticut Newspapers And Washington Post; Lamont Is The Choice Of The New York Times

Sen. Joe Lieberman was endorsed today by Conncecticut's two highest-circulation newspapers, The Hartford Courant and the Connecticut Post. He also won the nod from The Washington Post

Ned Lamont, Lieberman's upstart anti-war opponent in the Democratic primary for the Senate seat from Connecticut, was endorsed today by The New York Times.

The Hartford Courant touted Lieberman's experience and his moderate profile:

" Mr. Lieberman has gained considerable influence in his 18 years in the Senate. His specialty is working with Republican moderates - and sometimes conservatives - to craft bills that can pass the most divided, least civil Congress in memory." - The Hartford Courant

The Connecticut Post, strangely, posted an Associated Press roundup of endorsements in the race, but did not post the full text of its own newspaper's endorsement. The AP article quoted a few paragraphs from the Connecticut Post endorsement. Including this one:

"There have been many times when we've disagreed with the senator, but his overall record is commendable and the record of a fighter who has been there for Connecticut in the areas of defense contracts, the environment, education, health care, civil rights, and transportation." - The Connecticut Post

The Washington Post was also swayed by Lieberman's bi-partisan approach to the issues:

"Throughout his Senate career, Mr. Lieberman has been faithful to the fundamental values that most Democrats associate with their party: care for the environment; dedication to a progressive tax code and other ways to help the poor and middle classes; and support for Israel and other democracies around the world. But he's managed to hold on to those values while also working with Republicans to move legislation forward..." The Washington Post

New York Times, in endorsing Lamont said, esentially said the power-hoarding tendencies of the current administration call for an opposition party that is willing to do its job in reining in that power:

In his effort to appear above the partisan fray, he has become one of the Bush administration's most useful allies as the president tries to turn the war on terror into an excuse for radical changes in how this country operates.

Citing national security, Mr. Bush continually tries to undermine restraints on the executive branch: the system of checks and balances, international accords on the treatment of prisoners, the nation's longtime principles of justice. His administration has depicted any questions or criticism of his policies as giving aid and comfort to the terrorists. And Mr. Lieberman has helped that effort.

- The New York Times

We're down to nine days and counting on this one.

LAMONT GOES ONE-ON-ONE WITH COLBERT

Lamont's campaign office provided use with this reminder. The candidate will be appearing on Comedy Central's The Colbert Report tomorrow night at 11:30 p.m. EDT.