Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton Campaign for Connecticut Candidates
Leaders Criticize Lieberman for Weak Stance on Affirmative Action and Uncritical Support of Bush Policies
HARTFORD, Conn. --In predominantly white Connecticut, U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman and challenger Ned Lamont are looking to the state's minority population for key votes in next week's hotly contested Democratic primary.
The Revs. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton were in the state Wednesday campaigning for Lamont, who had a slight lead in the most recent poll and has built momentum by criticizing Lieberman for his support of the war in Iraq and perceived closeness with President Bush.
They also campaigned for New Haven Mayor John DeStefano, who is in a tight race himself against Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy in the Democratic primary for governor.
Lieberman, an 18-year incumbent and one-time vice presidential candidate, has been distributing fliers touting his own civil rights record. He has also brought to Connecticut a favorite among many minority Democrats: former President Bill Clinton.
"Most people say endorsements don't matter much, but this is an election about turnout," said Ken Dautrich, professor of public policy at the University of Connecticut. "More than advertising, more than anything else, turnout is going to dictate who wins. I think that strategically Sharpton and Jackson are people who definitely can motivate the African-American vote in Connecticut."
In an interview with The Associated Press, Jackson said he views the Connecticut Senate race as having a national impact.
"In many ways, Connecticut is a bellwether state. This campaign is about the direction for the priorities of the country as well as our world view," Jackson said. "It's a defining moment for the party and the nation. I think the other Democrats and others will learn much from this campaign."
At a breakfast with ministers in Stamford on Wednesday morning, Sharpton said the Iraq war is the defining issue of our time and called Lieberman the "main cheerleader" for the Democratic caucus on the issue.
"I was disappointed that every time we came out of the huddle, it seemed like my friend Joe had the other team's uniform," said Sharpton, stressing that black voters need to come out in force for the Aug. 8 primary.
Jackson appeared at Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in New Haven on Wednesday night, urging people to campaign for Lamont and DeStefano this weekend. He made churchgoers repeat, "If Nelson Mandela can spend 27 years in jail, I can give a weekend."
"You give us this Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. We'll give you a governor and a senator," Jackson said.
Jackson criticized Lieberman for his decision to make an independent run if he loses the primary.
DeStefano, who has endorsed Lieberman, also encouraged people at the church to get out the vote.
"Elections are about choices. You've got to stand up for something," he said.
Virgie Arrindell, 55, of Branford, was at the church Wednesday night. She said she hasn't made up her mind about the Senate race, but she's leaning toward Lamont.
"I like what he says, I hear what he says," she said.
A recent Quinnipiac University poll showed Lamont with a lead of four percentage points. Turnout for Connecticut primaries typically is around 25 percent, but Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz said it could jump to at least 30 percent given the national attention being paid to the Senate race.
Blacks and Hispanics make up 20 percent of Connecticut's population. In the state's 2004 presidential election, 6 percent of voters identified themselves as black, 7 percent Hispanic/Latino and 86 percent white, according to exit polling conducted for The Associated Press.
Dautrich said blacks disproportionately tend to be Democrats and comprise a fairly large voting block. He said it's not surprising they and other groups are being targeted in the final days of the primary.
Marion Steinfels, Lieberman's campaign spokeswoman, said she believes the senator's record on civil rights, including marching with the late Martin Luther King Jr., resonates with voters and the campaign is proud of the support it has within the black community.
She also said Clinton's recent visit was a "shot of Adrenalin" for the campaign, which has been running a TV ad of Clinton urging Democrats to support Lieberman.
"He appeals to folks across the board," she said.
But Lieberman has received some criticism for his efforts to reach out to minority voters. The flier touting his civil rights record and featuring a photo of Lieberman and Clinton embracing also takes aim at Lamont's decision to drop his membership to the exclusive Round Hill Club golf course in Greenwich before running for the Senate. One Internet blogger called it race baiting.
The flier quotes Lamont in a New York Times article saying he dropped his longtime membership because he was concerned the club was not as diverse as it should be and he didn't want the club issue to be distraction in the campaign.
"We continue to be disappointed at our opponent's personal and untrue attacks," said Lamont campaign spokeswoman Liz Dupont-Diehl. "We think the fact that the Rev. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton have been inspired to come and work for Ned are indications of his commitment to affirmative action and equality."
Sharpton on Wednesday called the flier's accusation "ridiculous," noting that Lamont is a volunteer teacher at an inner city school in Bridgeport. He also said he considers Lieberman weak on affirmative action.
Steinfels said the flier is being distributed to other groups besides black voters, is relevant to the race and includes Lamont's own words.
Meanwhile, Lieberman's campaign demanded that Lamont break ties with a pro-Lamont Internet blogger who posted a doctored photo of Clinton and Lieberman, which shows Lieberman in black face. Lieberman referred to the picture as "a new low" in what has become a contentious primary battle.
Dupont-Diehl said, "We are appalled by this. As soon as we found out about it, we were asking that it be removed."
Sharpton and Lieberman were friendly rivals in the 2004 presidential contest, when both mounted short-lived campaigns for the Democratic nomination. Lieberman also was the Democratic Party nominee for vice president in 2000.
Sharpton said Lieberman called him over the weekend to ask for his endorsement, but Sharpton told him he disagrees with him on too many issues.
"Ned Lamont is right on the issues," Sharpton said. "This war was unjust from the beginning and is unjustified now."
Alan Schlesinger, the Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate, said he was appalled that Sharpton and Jackson had been called upon for endorsements. He said both have a history of encouraging divisiveness between different communities.
Dupont-Diehl responded that Sharpton and Jackson "are two leaders who have brought hope to millions of people. ... They are spreading the message for Ned Lamont that every vote counts."
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