Salazar's vow may irk Dems

Coloradan backing Sen. Lieberman even if he loses primary

M.E. Sprengelmeyer, Rocky Mountain News

Published July 6, 2006 at midnight

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WASHINGTON - Sen. Ken Salazar is risking the ire of some fellow Democrats by pledging to support incumbent Sen. Joe Lieberman, of Connecticut, in November's election whether or not he wins the Democratic primary.

Lieberman, a centrist and stalwart supporter of the war in Iraq, is facing a serious challenge from anti-war candidate Ned Lamont in the Aug. 8 Democratic primary.

Last week, Lieberman announced he was circulating petitions to run on the ballot as an independent even if he loses the Democratic primary.

Liberal activists have been trying to pressure national Democrats to support the winner of the primary, even if it is not the incumbent. This week, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., said she would not back Lieberman if he loses the primary.

But Salazar said Wednesday that he is in Lieberman's camp and that he will support him in an independent bid if he loses the Democratic primary.

"I will support Joe Lieberman for the primary and beyond the primary," Salazar said. "I appreciate his strong stance of independence. We need more senators like Joe Lieberman."

Salazar plans to campaign with Lieberman July 30 in Connecticut.

Salazar and Lieberman were part of a bipartisan "gang of 14" senators who played a role in ending the flap over judicial filibusters, and they've formed another "gang" focused on ways of promoting energy independence.

State Democratic Party chair Pat Waak said Wednesday that Salazar is sure to attract criticism for his stand.

It would hardly be the first time he had angered the liberal wing of the party. He also has supported some of President Bush's more controversial nominees, including Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, and he occasionally votes with Republicans on legislation.

"Senator Salazar does what his conscience tells him to do," Waak said. "My guess is there would be some people who'd grumble. There would be some people who thought it was appropriate."

Lamont is backed by some well-known progressive Democrats, including consultant and author David Sirota and Markos Moulitsas Zuniga, founder of the influential DailyKos blog.

Bill Vandenberg, co-director for the liberal group Colorado Progressive Action, said the move might anger progressives but it could help Salazar in Colorado.

"From Salazar's perspective, even supporting an independent candidate helps him again underscore the fact that he's an independent for Colorado," Vandenberg said. "It's a dangerous thing for him to do, but it also appeals to unaffiliated folks out here."

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