A Lieberman Political Party That Opposes Lieberman

By GottaLaff

The video is of Lieberman speaking to the RNC:

Even casual observers know that Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman of Connecticut has invested significant time and political capital in electing John McCain president.

So, it only follows that the Connecticut for Lieberman Party would be squarely for McCain, right?

Wrong.

It's not even for Lieberman.

Not any more.

Confused?

Welcome to the world of third-party politics.

Led by John Mertens, a Trinity College engineering professor with a passion for independent politics and a disdain for Joe Lieberman, a few dozen voters have resurrected the senator's old ballot line.

After losing the Democratic primary in 2006, Lieberman ran for re-election as a petitioning candidate. To get his own ballot line, Lieberman took the initial steps to create a new party, Connecticut for Lieberman.

But he abandoned the name and the embryonic party as soon as he won. [...]

Ballot access is everything in third-party politics. [...]

Mertens contacted Orman and proposed using Connecticut for Lieberman as a real political party. Orman agreed, on the condition that Mertens become chairman and take over the effort.

As the marketers would say, Mertens has "re-purposed" the old brand into an anti-Lieberman vehicle that is running a half-dozen candidates for state legislature this year and has endorsed Barack Obama for president. [...]

On its website, the party describes itself: "The CFL is an independent, anti-war, anti-corruption, pro-fiscal responsibility, pro-democracy party, that stands for individual liberties and real problem-solving in government."

Mertens said that the party looks forward to endorsing a candidate for U.S. Senate in 2010, when Christopher Dodd is up for re-election.

If Lieberman were to run again in 2012, the senator could look forward to being opposed by a nominee of the Connecticut for Lieberman Party. A spokesman said that Lieberman has no comment on the new direction of his old brand. [...]

"This is not a prank," Mertens said. "It is a takeover. This party has real value."

Even if it was for Joe Lieberman before it was against him.

The old switcheroo.