Jim Dean speaks more about his support of Ned Lamont...

[madfloridian]

Jim Dean in this article makes it clear that his support for Ned Lamont is a personal thing, they are long time friends. Not a DFA thing.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/11/nyregion/11dean.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

At the Connecticut Democratic Party's annual Jefferson Jackson Bailey fund-raising dinner last month, James H. Dean was among the guests invited to sit at the table of Ned Lamont, a Greenwich cable television executive who is planning a primary challenge to Senator Joseph I. Lieberman over the senator's support for the war in Iraq.

"The reason I went and sat at his table is I personally think Ned is a terrific candidate and I want to support him," said Mr. Dean, one of 1,700 guests at the political event. "I think not only is it a good race for the voters because he's bringing the war back, I think his campaign will benefit candidates up and down the Democratic ticket."

Mr. Dean lives in Fairfield, near Greenwich, and he has known Mr. Lamont for years. But what makes his support for Mr. Lamont notable are his deeper, familial ties: He is the brother of Howard Dean, now the chairman of the Democratic National Committee.

James Dean said his goal in supporting Mr. Lamont "isn't 'Get Joe' or get anybody," adding, "Winning is important, but it's as much for getting the voters active and engaged and conditioned — I'm running out of words here — getting them used to the idea that there's a choice."

Jim makes it clear that Howard Dean is staying out of it. And Joe Lieberman says the Democrats are being supportive. His statement:

"Senator Lieberman said on Monday that he and Howard Dean had "a lot of mutual respect" and that he had "gotten very strong support from the leadership of the Democratic Party nationally — Harry Reid, Chuck Schumer, the people who are leaders in the Senate. And some of them, I think, will be expressing that."

[CTLawGuy]

1. I think it is disgusting that the state party is backing Lieberman

they should remain neutral and let the Dem voters decide who they want before backing any candidate.

[madfloridian]

2. Getting voters used to having a choice....Jim's thoughts.

"James Dean said his goal in supporting Mr. Lamont "isn't 'Get Joe' or get anybody," adding, "Winning is important, but it's as much for getting the voters active and engaged and conditioned — I'm running out of words here — getting them used to the idea that there's a choice."

That is what primaries are for, voters having a choice..then the party getting behind that choice. Or vice versa.

[Fleshdancer]

3. Exactly

This is exactly what primaries are for and I'm glad Dean is highlighting that fact.

[madfloridian]

4. And brother, Howard Dean, said not long ago..

that his job is to get Democrats elected, and it is our job to choose them in the primaries.

Having primaries that are not controlled by the party leaders is our only way to change anything in the party.