Lieberman challenger Lamont

[monarch]

I haven't seen Ned Lamont in person yet but he certainly sounds appealing in the Hartford Courant article this morning:

"Lamont, a successful cable television entrepreneur, seems to be the new Howard Dean, a patrician riding a populist wave of opposition to the war in Iraq. He is a boyish 52-year-old with an unlined face, tousled dark hair and the slight build of a runner. His speaking style is conversational. He projects an affable earnestness that his staff hopes suggests Jimmy Stewart in "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington."

"Lamont favors gay marriage, abortion rights, universal health care and finding a way to put undocumented workers on the path to citizenship. And, of course, he faults Lieberman for supporting the invasion of Iraq and failing to filibuster the Supreme Court nomination of Samuel Alito, who succeeded the centrist swing vote, Sandra Day O'Connor.


"After a stump speech disparaging the Bush administration's conduct of the war and its policies on energy and health care, Lamont easily fields questions on nuclear proliferation, federal block grants, Head Start funding, immigration and the war on terrorism.


"On the way out the door, Lamont is asked to autograph a political cartoon. It pictures a broadly smiling Lamont with a lapel button that says, "Ned Who?" Lamont, who collects political cartoons, seems bemused by a request for his signature on a work caricaturing his anonymity. He smiles as he scrawls a message, then disappears into the night for a fast, perhaps last, ride in a Lexus to another town committee. The signature he leaves behind: 'Ned Who.'"

It's a nice long article and well worth the read











http://www.courant.com/news/local/hc-lamontprofile0423.artapr23,0,4759133.story?page=1&coll=hc-headlines-home

[NewJeffCT]

1. Interesting - his dad is a former Republican in the Nixon White House

Said there is no place for eastern moderates in the Republican Party anymore.

[wordpix2]

2. more interesting snips from article

http://www.courant.com/news/local/hc-lamontprofile0423.artapr23,0,4759133.story?page=2&coll=hc-headlines-home

Out Of The Political Shadows
April 23, 2006

By MARK PAZNIOKAS / Courant Staff Writer

On a cool April night, the Democratic town committee of New Britain is arranged around two long tables at an Italian social club. The bar is open, but only a few members are sipping beer when Edward M. Lamont Jr. of Greenwich is introduced as Ned Lamont of Fairfield County.

snip:

The Lieberman campaign is spooked enough by Ned Who that it is already spending some of its $4.7 million bankroll on early television ads. Lamont seems assured of qualifying for an Aug. 8 primary, either by a petition drive or by winning 15 percent of the delegates at a nominating convention May 20.

snip:
Elliman said Lamont embraced small-town journalism and Vermont's form of direct democracy, the town meeting. He eventually hosted a show on public radio.

"There was no arrogance about how he dealt with, perceived and reported on events," Elliman said. "There was a real, genuine connection and compassion for people."

snip:
Swan and Lamont found each other through Max Medina, a Bridgeport lawyer and school board member who also sits on the Connecticut Citizen Action Group's board of directors. His friendship with Lamont began when Lamont made a cold call several years ago offering to volunteer in the schools.

"I have to tell you, calls from Greenwich businessmen wishing to volunteer in the Bridgeport public schools don't come in every week," Medina said. "Next thing I know the guy has created his own class."


snip
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[bigscott]

3. you know what is nice ?

I made a donation to Lamont's campaign and last night when I got home I had a hand addressed envelope in the mailbox from his campaign headquarters. A thank you letter hand-signed by Ned (OK OK it may NOT have been by him but it was signed in real ink - I did the smudge test), along with bumper stickers and a couple lapel stickers. In all the donations I ever made to others, all I ever got was postcards and form letters asking for MORE money. Ned did not ask for more cash, just for me to tell friends about him. I did, and I sent more money!

[LynzM]

4. Same here!!

Was nice to get that gesture, without the request for more money, I agree!!

[danalytical]

5. Same here

I also got a call yesterday from the campaign headquarters asking me to help canvass neighborhoods for signatures. I thanked them for being so accessible, and told them to keep calling people like me. But alas, if I am going to be working I need to be making money. I'm getting married this year, and I have no idea how I'm going to pay for everything. Sorry Ned.