AP: Leiberman is back --as he should be -- but as an Independent

SHAME ON ALL OF THE DEMOCRATS WHO SHUNNED THIS INDEPENDENT, THINKING MAN WHO DECIDED TO SUPPORT THE PREZ. THINGS CHANGE. (you, too albert gore)

(((Mazeltov to you, Joe!!)))

From AP - Lieberman defeats Lamont to hold Senate seat
Updated 11/8/2006 12:09 AM ET

Enlarge Photo By Andrew Gombert, Reuters
U.S. Senator Joe Lieberman, gives a thumbs up after voting in New Haven, Conn. on Tuesday.
CONNECTICUT 2006

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The Associated Press
Sen. Joe Lieberman made a triumphant return from political limbo Tuesday, riding his independent candidacy to victory over Ned Lamont three months after the anti-war businessman toppled him in the Democratic primary.

Lieberman said he was "tested like never before" in the long, bitter campaign.

"But we never gave up, did we?" he declared to cheering supporters gathered at a downtown Hartford hotel.

Lieberman's victory as an independent comes three months after a stunning loss in the Democratic primary that put his 18-year Senate career in peril. Lamont, a wealthy businessman and political unknown, upset Lieberman in August in a contest widely seen as a referendum on Iraq and a sharp rebuke of Lieberman's pro-war views.

In his victory speech, Lieberman said that he will work toward a new bipartisan strategy to bring troops home from Iraq without compromising America's security.

He also vowed to be an "independent senator" working to "seek common ground for the common good" and break Washington's partisan gridlock.

Lieberman had 48% of the vote to Lamont's 39% with 34% of precincts reporting. Republican Alan Schlesinger trailed far behind with 10%.

Lamont, in conceding the race, said his campaign had made a positive difference by creating a serious debate over Iraq.

"We ignited a spark that will change the direction of the country in Iraq," he said in a speech to supporters at a hotel near his Meriden headquarters.

He said the long and sometimes acrimonious race left him upbeat about where the nation was headed.

"I am so much more optimistic about our country and our direction and our future, having had this extraordinary conversation with the people of Connecticut over the last 10 months," Lamont said. "We're all Americans and we go forward together, that's what we do in this country."

Schlesinger said the contest will stand out for being unique, given Lieberman's independent candidacy where he was fighting with the GOP nominee for Republican votes.

"Sometimes you have unusual races," Schlesinger said. "This will probably go down as one of the most unusual races in U.S. history."

The race was one of four being decided in Connecticut Tuesday that could have national implications. Republican Congresswoman Nancy Johnson lost to Democrat Chris Murphy, while Republican Reps. Chris Shays and Rob Simmons also faced strong challenges from Democrats.
Also Tuesday, Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell headlined statewide races by winning her first full term.

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