Progressive candidate Ned Lamont won the Democratic primary, ousting three-time incumbent Senator Joe Lieberman. Joe Lieberman had become the symbol of everything that was wrong with the Democratic Party. With eighty-six percent of Democrats and sixty percent of all Americans opposed to the Iraq war, Joe Lieberman’s strong support for the Bush administrations handling of the war put him out of step with the party. But anger against Lieberman was not limited to his stand on the war. He was perceived as the Democrat that Republicans could count on to betray his party when the vote was close. Progressives have long felt that the Democratic Party has lacked the kind of disciple Republicans have in promoting their agenda. That Democrats, who try to look like watered down Republicans are the reason the Democrats have been out of power. They believe that the Democrats will only return to power if they embrace and loudly claim their traditional democratic values. Values that support the common good, and the common man.

Joe Lieberman proved progressives right with his concession speech. He puts himself and his political ambitions ahead of the party good. Rather than graciously concede and support the candidate Democrats choose, he will run as an independent. He has chosen to abandon his party, the party that placed him in office for three terms; so much for principles and party loyalty. When one belongs to a group, one owes a certain loyalty to the group. The group places the common good of the entire group, above the needs of anyone individual. The Democratic Party rallied behind Lieberman, provided him with the support during the primary. But having lost the primary it is time for him to show the Democratic loyalty that he has lacked, that cost him the nomination, and get behind the party. But Lieberman will not, he has made it clear that nothing the party says will get him to drop out. He will offer Republicans and independents a choice between a Republican candidate or a former Democrat they can count to vote Republican when they need him. He has already had Republican Rep. Rob Simmons indorse his decision to run a three-way race. Lieberman officially left the party after the primary, but in reality he lost the primary because he had already parted course with the party.

Connecticut Democrats turned out in record numbers, more than forty percent, to have their voice heard. More than 2,500 Connecticut Democrats sent a message that has been echoing among Democrats for sometime. They have had enough; they are ready to take America in a new direction. Lamont said, “I think we have given people a reason to vote for something, something bigger than themselves.” Candidates that are perceived as supporting the Bush administration policy of staying the course will find the party has gone in a new direction. If they want the support of the party, it is time they start catching up and getting on the new course the party has been charting out. Otherwise, voters will turn out in record numbers to defeat them.