A Bartcop reader

[AndreaCG]

Wrote that Obama supported Lieberman during the Connecticut primary, as did most Democratic politicians, then refused to campaign for Lamont in the general election, unlike Clinton and many prominent Democrats. I can't find conclusive proof of this. Can anyone confirm this or is it untrue?

[Dr.Phool]

1. I'm pretty sure it's true.

I don't know where to start looking this late. But, it's customary in the Senate for freshmen to be assigned a mentor, to show them around the ropes, and help them out. Obama was assigned to Liebermoron.

That may be the extent of it.

[karynnj]

2. Obama did support Lamont in the general election

by sending out a fund raising letter. It is true he didn't campaign for Lamont.

But, neither did Clinton. Clinton had a fund raiser in NY for him, but CT was apparently too far away. Bill Clinton campaigned with Lieberman in August before the primaries and did the canned phone calls for the primary for Lieberman. He did not campaign for Lamont though I think he endorsed him. He also told Larry King that it was a win/win situation in CT. (I would assume the rousing Clinton Lieberman endorsement 3 months before hurt more than Obama not coming.)

I think only Feingold and Kerry - out of all the Democrats in the Senate did not endorse Leiberman.

It is not true many prominent Democrats campaigned for Lamont. One of Lamont's top people said that Kerry and Clark helped by far the most. Dodd also did - which as Lieberman's fellow Senator - is impressive. Ted Kennedy and John Edwards were the only other prominant Democrats who campaigned for him that I know of.

[AndreaCG]

3. Thanks for clearing that up.