Ridgefield News
July 14, 2000

Democrats Nominate Lieberman

Ct. Democrats Nominate Lieberman

Sen. Joe Lieberman appeared with his wife Hadassah to accept the Democratic nomination for US Senate

Ridgefield's Democratic delegation: [from left] DTC Chair Jim Diamond, Selectman Joseph Heyman, First Selectman Rudy Marconi, Democratic Registrar of Voters Cindy Bruno, former Registrar Pat Baker.

Rep. Jim Maloney addresses the convention. The Congressman introduced Sen. Chris Dodd, who gave the principal nominating speech for his colleague Joe Lieberman.

The primary purpose of this year's convention was to renominate Sen. Lieberman. A threatened rules fight did not materialize, as a move to change the way the State party chair is selected failed to gain support. Despite the largely preordained nature of the Convention, all of Ridgefield's 9-member delegation attended. 5th Dist. Rep. Jim Maloney was a major presence at the convention, with major speakers praising his service and vowing to secure his reelection in one of the toughest Congressional races in the nation. Ridgefielders joined other 5th District delegates is showing their enthusiasm for Jim Maloney by demonstrating each time the popular Congressman was mentioned. Jim Diamond, Ridgefield DTC Chairman, noted, "this convention had more energy and enthusiasm than you would expect, considering that there were no battling candidates. The delegates really are excited about working for their Congressional candidates, Joe Lieberman and Al Gore." Diamond added, "this really was a model convention, with diverse representation from all segments of our population. This Democratic team has a wealth of talent, from its front line officials to the up and coming rising stars of the future."

Connecticut's Democratic leadership at the convention: [from left] Rep. Jim Maloney, (fourth from left) Sec. of the State Susan Bysiewicz, 4th District Challenger Sandra Sanchez. [From right] 3d Dist. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, 1st Dist. Rep. John Larsen, Controller Nancy Wyman.

Georgia's Rep. John Lewis gives the keynote address.

All of the key Democratic officials in Connecticut attended the convention, including both US Senators, the four Democratic Congressmen, and Ct.'s constitutional officers - Attorney Gen. Dick Blumenthal, Sec. of the State Susan Bysiewicz, Controller Nancy Wyman, and Treasurer Denise Nappier. Rep. John Lewis, a legendary civil rights leader who worked with Dr. Martin Luther King in the battles of the 1960's, gave an old fashioned stemwinder of a keynote. Recalling that he had revisited the historic Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, recently, Lewis publicly recognized Jim Maloney for joining him in the reenactment of the historic 1965 encounter which sparked the notorious "Bloody Sunday." DTC Chair Jim Diamond noted, "John Lewis inspired the delegates to work even harder to elect state and local candidates who can make a difference in the lives of the less fortunate among us. When John Lewis speaks, people listen."

Jim Diamond joined the demonstration supporting Sen. Lieberman.

Sen. Chris Dodd nominating his colleague Joe Lieberman.

Ridgefielders enjoyed the pageantry, noting that this was the first state convention in recent memory that Sen. Lieberman actually attended in person. Ct. Democratic conventions have historically been held on Saturday, and Sen. Lieberman's religion has kept him from attending. The Senator jokingly noted when first introduced, "So this is what a Deomcratic convention looks like!" Sen. Chris Dodd, in the principal nomanting speech, joked about the speculation that Sen. Lieberman is being considered as a Vice Presidential candidate. Sen. Dodd reported tongue-in-cheek that Sen. Lieberman had recently taken to quoting from Al Gore's book, "Earth In The Balance," and had been seen wearing brown suits of late. But Dodd brought down the house when he added that Lieberman had told him recently, "Boy, could I show those people how to REALLY raise money in a temple!"

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