New Haven — Connecticut's largest labor union on Tuesday endorsed Senator Joseph I. Lieberman in the Democratic primary, although many union leaders, meeting at their state political convention, complained of his support for the war in Iraq and foreign trade agreements. Many sounded loud ÿnaysÿ when the voice vote was called.þþÿHe's endorsed,ÿ John W. Olsen, the chairman of the state A.F.L.-C.I.O., said after the vote, which followed comments by the several dozen speakers — some passionate, some conflicted — who formed lines at the two floor microphones.þþMost of the speakers expressed support, noting the senator's efforts in his three terms to protect workers in industries ranging from clothing to submarine manufacturing. Many said, however, that his challenger, Ned Lamont, a businessman from Greenwich who owns a cable television company, is a fresh face who will better serve their interests and stand up to President Bush on issues like the war and trade.þþAfter the vote, Mr. Olsen was asked whether the ÿnays,ÿ which were not far below the ÿyeasÿ in volume, suggested that labor leaders were split over the endorsement, and he noted that no one had challenged the vote after it was completed.þþMr. Olsen, who announced his personal support for the senator several weeks ago, said it was clear from a meeting earlier in the day with leaders of individual unions that the senator had the necessary two-thirds of the approximately 350 convention delegates. He said the senator had ÿa wide cushion.ÿ þþHe said the delegates represented about 180,000 workers. He noted, however, that labor support would be spread among several races, including tight congressional races in November and the Democratic primary for governor. In that race, the labor federation on Tuesday endorsed Mayor John DeStefano of New Haven, who narrowly lost the state party endorsement last month to Mayor Dannel P. Malloy of Stamford. þþThe primary is Aug. 8. þþLabor backing could be important for Senator Lieberman. A recent poll showed Mr. Lamont gaining support among Democratic voters. In a poll this month by Quinnipiac University, he trailed the senator, 55 to 40, among Democratic voters who said they were likely to vote in the primary. Among all Democrats, the senator led 57 to 32 percent; in May, a Quinnipiac poll found the difference to be 65 to 19. þþMr. Lamont has used the senator's support for the war to galvanize opposition to Mr. Lieberman on other issues, including health care and education policy, and he has gathered other unions' support. þþSeveral delegates noted that Senator Lieberman had an 84 percent score from the federation for his votes on labor issues. Many also complained that he had long supported free trade agreements that cost manufacturing jobs. þþOthers poked at Mr. Lamont, whom the senator has characterized as a wealthy opportunist trying to buy the election. þþÿMr. Lamont owns a communications company,ÿ Howard Coling, vice president of Local 1298 of the Communications Workers of America in Seymour, Conn. ÿAnd it's nonunion.ÿ That prompted sustained hoots of disapproval across the room. þþ
Source: NY Times
