Rarely is the state of Connecticut cast into the national spotlight as it has been this summer. And rarely is Fairfield cast into that spotlight like it will be on Friday morning.
Sen. Joseph Lieberman, the long-time Democratic senator who is now running for re-election as an independent, is planning on appearing at Fairfield to make what his campaign called “a major policy announcement concerning national security” Friday morning between 10 and 11 a.m.
Lieberman, the Democratic Party’s nominee for vice president in 2000, is fighting for his political life after losing the Aug. 8 Democratic Primary to political novice and Greenwhich businessman Ned Lamont.
The senate race is arguably the most closely watched political battle being fought in the country, and is thought by many to be a plebiscite on the war in Iraq and a battle for the heart and soul of the Democratic Party.
Donald Greenberg, chairman of the Fairfield politics department and a supporter of Lamont, said the notion of Lieberman giving an address about policy was “ridiculous” given the fact that as a senator, Lieberman has no authority to unilaterally implement any policies.
“To say it’s not a campaign stop in the middle of the campaign is ridiculous,” Greenberg said. “What does he mean by a major policy announcement? He’s not in charge of making policy. He’s not the president.”
The event is being sponsored by the Ham Channel and WVOF. An invitation to sponsor the event was also extended to The Mirror, but as of press time, a decision had not been made as to whether or not The Mirror would be officially involved.
“Any senator from Connecticut is welcome on campus,” said Academic Vice President Orin Grossman. “He’s been a good friend to Fairfield and we’re happy to have him here.”
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