AFL-CIO endorses Lieberman, but only as a Dem

Today the Connecticut AFL-CIO state political convention voted to endorse Sen. Joe Lieberman, but only until the August 8th primary. In effect, this means the union will likely support the Democratic winner of the primary, whether it's Lieberman or challenger Ned Lamont.

This is a huge blow to the Senator's efforts should he decide to flee the Democrats and run as an Independent in November.

Paul Bass wrote today in the New Haven Independent (and yes, the irony of that name isn't lost on me!):

As recently as yesterday, state AFL-CIO President Olsen said he expected the organization to endorse Lieberman not just in his primary against challenger Ned Lamont, but in the general election, too – even if Lieberman loses the primary and runs as an independent.

That changed in the hours before the federation voted Tuesday afternoon. At a lunch meeting of the organization’s Committee on Political Education, delegates from the machinists, teachers and auto workers’ unions, who support Lamont, convinced the group to change its mind and limit the endorsement to the primary.

When it came for the voice vote in the Omni ballroom, the “aye”s to endorse Lieberman rang loud and clear. But so did the no votes.

The decision to limit the endorsement to the primary represents a victory of sorts for Lamont’s challenge to the three-term incumbent. It leaves open the option that the federation could support Lamont in November against an independent Lieberman candidacy.