Ned Lamont Forces Aug. 8 Primary Against Conn.'s Sen. Joseph Lieberman

Interview with Ned Lamont, candidate challenging U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn., conducted by Scott Harris

On March 13, Ned Lamont, a relatively unknown communications entrepreneur, announced his candidacy to challenge Connecticut U.S. Senator Joseph Lieberman. Since then, the progressive Democrat has criss-crossed the state working to win 15 percent of the delegate votes needed at the Democratic Party nominating convention on May 19 to force a primary against Lieberman. To the surprise of many, including his own campaign staff, Lamont won more than 33 percent of the vote among the party establishment at the convention, and will now go head-to-head with Lieberman in an Aug. 8th primary.

One of the major issues that has polarized Connecticut Democrats on Lieberman is the three-term senator's strong support for President Bush's invasion and occupation of Iraq, and his alliance with the White House agenda on a host of economic and social policies.

This unexpected race between a political newcomer and Lieberman, the party's 2000 vice presidential candidate, has been the focus of growing interest across the U.S. The progressive political action committee MoveOn.org is conducting a poll of its 50,000 Connecticut members to determine if the grassroots group will help Lamont in the primary. Between The Lines' Scott Harris spoke with Ned Lamont about his successful drive to force a primary and the reasons he's challenging Joe Lieberman, often referred to as - "President Bush's favorite Democrat."

Contact the Lamont campaign by calling (203) 622-7091 or visit their website at www.nedlamont.com

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"Between The Lines" is a half-hour syndicated radio news magazine that each week features a summary of under-reported news stories and interviews with activists and journalists who offer progressive perspectives on international, national and regional political, economic and social issues. Because "Between The Lines" is independent of all publications, media networks or political parties, we are able to bring a diversity of voices to the airwaves generally ignored or marginalized by the major media. For more information on this week's topics and to check out our text archive listing topics and guests presented in previous programs visit: http://www.btlonline.org

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