Official Connecticut for Lieberman Party Website/Blog

A nice editorial about John Orman

2009-07-08T07:09:00.001-07:00

http://www.connpost.com/editorials/ci_12769467

John Orman, former CFL chair, passes away

2009-07-06T20:27:00.000-07:00

John will be sorely missed. The world needs people like him.

By CHRISTOPHER KEATING, The Hartford Courant
John M. Orman, a well-known political science professor at Fairfield University who considered running for the U.S. Senate in 2005 against incumbent Joseph I. Lieberman, died suddenly on Sunday night.

Orman was one of the university's best-known professors as he was widely quoted in newspapers around the state, along with national television outlets like CNN, MSNBC, ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and National Public Radio. His death was announced Monday by the university, where he had been a teacher since 1978.

In line with his mantra of telling his students to get involved in politics, Orman ran as a Democrat for the U.S. Congress in 1984 against longtime incumbent Rep. Stewart McKinney, a powerhouse at the time in Fairfield County politics. McKinney won, as usual, but Orman gained enough publicity that he was quoted even more often on political races in the coming years. After his defeat, Orman invited McKinney to speak to his students in class.

Two decades later, Orman considered running against Lieberman in 2006 - before throwing his support to little-known Greenwich entrepreneur Ned Lamont, whose campaign generated national attention by defeating Lieberman in the August 2006 primary. Lamont, a former member of Greenwich's board of selectmen and 12-member Board of Estimate and Taxation, then lost to Lieberman in the general election.

As the chairman of the political science department at Fairfield, Orman authored or co-authored five books, including "Celebrity Politics'' that was written with a Brown University professor, Darrell West. Orman was once named the "Teacher of the Year'' at Fairfield, and his classes included examinations of the U.S. Congress, the Presidency, public opinion, and policy-making, among others.

Still seeking new challenges after more than 30 years in teaching, Orman recently traveled to the Ukraine to deliver lectures about the 2008 presidential election of Democrat Barack Obama. While there, he participated in interviews on Radio Free Europe Ukraine and the Vatican radio station.

Results of February 12, 2009 Statewide Party Caucus

2009-02-13T11:40:00.000-08:00

ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The following officers of the party were elected by a unanimous vote at the February 12, 2009 statewide party caucus:

Party Chair: John Mertens
Party Treasurer: Tomoyo Wakamatsu
Party Secretary: Karen Erlandsson
Two additional State Central Committee members:
Paul Borucki
Ann Marie Krupski
Parliamentarian: Karen Erlandsson

The following CONNECTICUT FOR LIEBERMAN PARTY RULES were adopted by a unanimous vote at the February 12, 2009 statewide party caucus.

REVISED CONNECTICUT FOR LIEBERMAN PARTY RULES, ADOPTED FEBRUARY 12, 2009.

1. These party rules supersede any other party rules filed with the Secretary of the State’s office. All previous rules are null and void.
2. The Connecticut for Lieberman Party (CFL) rejects the fraud perpetrated on the members of this party and the citizens of Connecticut by Joe Lieberman when he used the creation of this party to get on the general election ballot in 2006. 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. The CFL wants everyone to know that in the United States of America, voters are free to join any party they wish, and participate in the democratic process according to the laws of Connecticut and the United States.
3. Party officers and State Central Committee members must be registered members of the party.
4. Candidates for public office for the CFL may not be registered members of the Republican or Democratic parties, with the following exception: the CFL may cross-endorse candidates who will appear on the ballot for any other party.
5. Statewide party caucuses will be presided by the chair of the party. Party caucuses will follow Robert’s New Rules of Order, Revised.
6. One must be a registered member of the CFL for a minimum of 90 continuous days prior to a caucus to have voting rights at that caucus.
7. A statewide party caucus will be held a minimum of once per calendar year. One caucus will be held no later than May 1. The date and place of the first caucus will be determined by the chair of the party. Additional meetings may only be called by a majority vote of the State Central Committee.
8. The time and place of statewide party caucuses will be announced by the chair of the party on the party website (www.ctforlieberman.org) a minimum of 30 days in advance. Notification will also be delivered to the Secretary of the State's office a minimum of 7 days in advance of the meeting.
9. The four officers of the party (chair, treasurer, secretary, parliamentarian) shall be elected at the first statewide caucus of each calendar year. All registered members of the party may vote for any and all nominated candidates. The top vote getters for each office will be elected. An individual can only hold one office at a time, with the exception of parliamentarian. Terms will last until the first statewide caucus of the following calendar year. Candidates may run for re-election.
10. The State Central Committee will be composed of the chair, secretary, and treasurer of the party, and two additional registered members of the party. The two additional members will be elected at the first statewide caucus of each calendar year. All registered members of the party may vote for any or all nominated candidates. The top two vote getters will be elected. Terms will last until the first statewide meeting of the following calendar year. Candidates may run for re-election.
11. Candidates for public office will be chosen at a statewide party caucus. All registered members of the party may vote for any and all nominated candidates. The candidate for each office who receives the most votes at the caucus will be the nominee. There will be no primary elections. All eligible members may vote for any nominated candidate for any office, regardless of the district of residency of the voting member of the party.
12. Nominations of candidates for public office chosen at a statewide party caucus can only be changed with permission of the nominated candidate. A request by a majority vote of the State Central Committee must be made in writing, with proof of delivery, to the candidate to step down. The candidate must respond in writing to the party chair within two weeks of the delivery of the request. If the candidate agrees to step down, the State Central Committee will call another statewide party caucus to nominate a new candidate. No written response from the candidate within two weeks of delivery of the request will be considered agreement of the candidate to step down, and gives the State Central Committee permission to call a statewide party caucus to replace the nominee.
13. Party members who meet the voting eligibility of (6) above may deliver proxy votes in writing to the party chair a minimum of 24 hours before the caucus.
14. Following any nominating party caucus, the chair of the CFL will file an endorsement letter for each nominated candidate with the Secretary of the State's office within 5 business days, and apply for all necessary paperwork (petitions, etc.) to get the candidate on the ballot in November.
15. Party Rules can only be changed by a majority vote at a statewide party caucus. The chair of the party will deliver any changes to the party rules to the Secretary of the State’s office within 5 business days.

Statewide Party Caucus on Feb. 12, 2009

2009-01-08T11:31:00.000-08:00

The Connecticut for Lieberman Party is holding the 2009 Statewide Party Caucus on Feb. 12, 2009 at 10 PM at 233 Sisson Ave, Hartford, Connecticut. Elections for party officers will be held.

Fox News Channel segment on CFL

2008-11-10T12:18:00.000-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3HixNgLqtU

Nice Article in the Meriden Record Journal

2008-10-31T16:26:00.000-07:00

A well written article discussing Joe Lieberman's future and the CFL, by Dave Moran of the Meriden Record Journal:
http://www.zwire.com/site/tab1.cfm?newsid=20183677&BRD=2755&PAG=461&dept_id=592709&rfi=6

CFL Chair John Mertens on FOX News Endorsing Obama

2008-10-27T08:13:00.000-07:00

Fox News Channel finally ran the CFL segment yesterday between 3 and 4 PM. We will be posting a copy here soon.

CFL on NPR

2008-10-13T18:06:00.001-07:00

This was on CT NPR Morning Edition Friday, October 10, 2008
http://www.wshu.org/news/story.php?ID=6117

CFL Chairman NOT on national TV Friday, Oct. 3

2008-10-02T19:49:00.000-07:00

Fox News Channel has postponed the airing of a segment that will include John Mertens, Chair of the CFL, talking about the takeover of the CT for Lieberman Party, and its endorsement of Barack Obama for President. We are told it will be this coming week.

CFL on front page of Hartford Courant

2008-09-28T10:04:00.000-07:00

http://www.courant.com/news/politics/hc-joeparty0916.artsep16,0,5483457.story

Connecticut for Lieberman Party endorses Barack Obama

2008-09-10T06:31:00.000-07:00

The Connecticut for Lieberman Party voted to endorse a candidate for the 2008 Presidential Election at the March 6, 2008 statewide party caucus, with the following results:

Barack Obama----------------------------19 votes
Ralph Nader-------------------------------3 votes
Party should not endorse a candidate-------1 vote

We reject Joe Lieberman's endorsement of John McCain and Sarah Palin.

CFL Candidates Are On The Ballot

2008-09-08T07:35:00.000-07:00

The 2008 CFL candidates for state representative have received notification from the Connecticut Secretary of the State that they have qualified for the ballot in November. Congratulations to:

1st District: Mark Friedman
4th District: Bryce Snarski-Pierce
20th District: John Mertens
29th District: Tomoyo Wakamatsu
90th District: Peter Votto

CFL Supports Effort to Remove Lieberman from Chair

2008-07-10T05:39:00.000-07:00

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/politics/hc-caucus0710.artjul10,0,2139852.story

visit this website to sign the petition

http://liebermanmustgo.com/

Lieberman says yes to Hagee

2008-05-29T12:16:00.000-07:00

Read the AP article below. Joe Lieberman has announced he will speak at Rev. Hagee's conference. Hagee has referred to the Catholic Church as "the great whore" and made extremely offensive statements concerning Hitler and the holocaust. Even John McCain, who had actively sought Hagee's support, has since repudiated Hagee, saying he has made statements that are "crazy and unacceptable."

It seems to us (the State Central Committee of the CFL) that Joe Lieberman is exercising the same incredibly poor judgement he used in his vigorous support of the invasion of Iraq.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080529/ap_on_el_pr/lieberman_hagee

Interesting column by Joe Klein:

2008-05-16T09:44:00.001-07:00

http://www.time-blog.com/swampland/2008/05/zell_lieberman.html

Statewide Caucus June 11, 2008

2008-05-09T08:06:00.001-07:00

The Connecticut for Lieberman Party will have a statewide caucus on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at 10 PM at 2071 Park Street, Hartford, to confirm the nominations for candidates from the March 6, 2008 statewide caucus under the new party rules. According to state statutes, new party rules go into effect 60 days after they are adopted.

RESULTS OF 2008 Statewide Caucuses:

ANNOUNCEMENT:The 2008 CFL Statewide Caucus was held March 6, 6:30 PM, at 243 Zion St., Hartford. Invitations to the statewide party caucus were mailed to all members of the party a week in advance, in addition to posting the meeting on the party website. More than 50% of all party members attended. A petition of support of the votes at the March 6 caucus was signed by 59% of all statewide party members, and was submitted with the new party rules to the Secretary of the State’s office on March 10. Members passed new party rules, elected new officers and state central committee members, and nominated candidates for public office. To see results, view March blog postings.

CFL Nominates Candidates for State Representative
The following CFL candidates for State Representative were nominated at the statewide caucus on March 6, 2008, and again under the new party rules at the second CFL Statewide Caucus on June 11, 2008, 10:00 PM, at 2071 Park St., Hartford. By state law, new party rules take effect 60 days after being approved. (This information was added to this blog entry after the June 11 meeting.)

1st District: Mark Friedman
4th District: Bryce Snarski-Pierce
20th District: John Mertens
29th District: Tomoyo Wakamatsu
90th District: Peter Votto

Column in Greenwich Time and Stamford Advocate

2008-04-15T18:40:00.000-07:00

Lieberman's 'party' may backfire on him
by Sarah Littman

http://www.greenwichtime.com/ci_8927138?source=email

or if that doesn't work:

http://saramerica.livejournal.com/43849.html

CFL Position on Housing Bill

2008-04-02T05:21:00.000-07:00

At this moment Senator Dodd is working on a compromise with Republicans on a plan to deal with the housing crisis that has resulted from the sub-prime debacle. Republicans oppose a portion of the bill that would enable bankruptcy judges to cut interest rates on troubled subprime mortgages written in recent years. Judges are currently prohibited from doing so for a person's principal residence. President Bush and other Republicans argue that giving judges this power would prompt lenders to tighten their standards and raise interest rates. (The above is paraphrased from a Washington Post article by Lori Montgomery.)

The CFL would like to urge Senator Dodd to work towards a compromise that would grant judges this power on a temporary basis, perhaps for one year. This would accomplish the goal of allowing judges to help alleviate the current foreclosure crisis, and should remove the fears of the long term effects the GOP are using to argue against it.

(Posted by your chair, with approval from the State Central Committee.)

Connecticut for Lieberman Party endorses Barack Obama

2008-03-10T16:38:00.001-07:00

The Connecticut for Lieberman Party voted to endorse a candidate for the 2008 Presidential Election at the March 6, 2008 statewide party caucus, with the following results:
Barack Obama------------------------------------19 votes
Ralph Nader---------------------------------------3 votes
Party should not endorse a candidate----------1 vote

CFL Nominates Candidates for State Representative

2008-03-10T13:20:00.000-07:00

The following CFL candidates for State Representative were nominated at the statewide caucus on March 6, 2008:

1st District: Mark Friedman
4th District: Bryce Snarski-Pierce
20th District: John Mertens
29th District: Tomoyo Wakamatsu
90th District: Peter Votto

ELECTION OF NEW OFFICERS

2008-03-10T12:51:00.000-07:00

The following officers of the party were elected by unanimous vote (24-0) at the March 6, 2008 statewide party caucus:

Party Chair: John Mertens
Party Treasurer: Tomoyo Wakamatsu
Party Secretary: Mark Friedman
Two additional State Central Committee members:
Paul Borucki
Ann Marie Krupski
Parliamentarian: Mark Friedman

Dr. John Mertens, a former candidate for U.S. Senate for the Independent Party, was elected as party chair, with former chair Dr. John Orman declining to run for re-election. More than 50% of all registered members of the party attended the caucus.

The passing of the torch: John Orman (right) to John Mertens

NEW PARTY RULES!

2008-03-10T12:47:00.000-07:00

The following Connecticut for Lieberman Party Rules were adopted by unanimous vote (24-0) at the March 6, 2008 statewide party caucus.

Invitations to the statewide party caucus were mailed to all members of the party a week in advance, in addition to posting the meeting on the party website. Understandably, not all members of the party were able to attend. However, a petition of support of the votes at the March 6 caucus was signed by 59% of all statewide party members, and was submitted with the party rules to the Secretary of the State’s office on March 10.

Note: There were two changes to the original motion posted on this website by friendly amendments at the March 6 caucus, prior to the vote. Item 3 below was added, and item 4 below was modified to include the capability to cross-endorse candidates of other parties.

The rules will go into effect 60 days after the vote, in accordance with state statutes.

CONNECTICUT FOR LIEBERMAN PARTY RULES, ADOPTED MARCH 6, 2008

1. These party rules supersede any other party rules filed with the Secretary of the State’s office. All previous rules are null and void.
2. The Connecticut for Lieberman Party (CFL) rejects the fraud perpetrated on the members of this party and the citizens of Connecticut by Joe Lieberman when he used the creation of this party to get on the general election ballot in 2006. 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. The CFL wants everyone to know that in the United States of America, voters are free to join any party they wish, and participate in the democratic process according to the laws of Connecticut and the United States.
3. Party officers and State Central Committee members must be registered members of the party.
4. Candidates for public office for the CFL must be registered members of the party, with the following exception: the CFL may cross-endorse candidates who will appear on the ballot for other parties.
5. Statewide party caucuses will be presided by the chair of the party. Party caucuses will follow Robert’s New Rules of Order, Revised.
6. One must be a registered member of the CFL for a minimum of 90 continuous days prior to a caucus to have voting rights at that caucus.
7. A statewide party caucus will be held a minimum of once per calendar year. One caucus will be held no later than May 1. The date and place of the first caucus will be determined by the chair of the party. Additional meetings may only be called by a majority vote of the State Central Committee.
8. The time and place of statewide party caucuses will be announced by the chair of the party on the party website (www.ctforlieberman.org) a minimum of 30 days in advance. Notification will also be delivered to the Secretary of the State's office a minimum of 7 days in advance of the meeting.
9. The four officers of the party (chair, treasurer, secretary, parliamentarian) shall be elected at the first statewide caucus of each calendar year. All registered members of the party may vote for any and all nominated candidates. The top vote getters for each office will be elected. An individual can only hold one office at a time, with the exception of parliamentarian. Terms will last until the first statewide caucus of the following calendar year. Candidates may run for re-election.
10. The State Central Committee will be composed of the chair, secretary, and treasurer of the party, and two additional registered members of the party. The two additional members will be elected at the first statewide caucus of each calendar year. All registered members of the party may vote for any or all nominated candidates. The top two vote getters will be elected. Terms will last until the first statewide meeting of the following calendar year. Candidates may run for re-election.
11. Candidates for public office will be chosen at a statewide party caucus. All registered members of the party may vote for any and all nominated candidates. The candidate for each office who receives the most votes at the caucus will be the nominee. There will be no primary elections. All eligible members may vote for any nominated candidate for any office, regardless of the district of residency of the voting member of the party.
12. Party members who meet the voting eligibility of (6) above may deliver proxy votes in writing to the party chair a minimum of 24 hours before the caucus.
13. Following any nominating party caucus, the chair of the CFL will file an endorsement letter for each nominated candidate with the Secretary of the State's office within 5 business days, and apply for all necessary paperwork (petitions, etc.) to get the candidate on the ballot in November.
14. Party Rules can only be changed by a majority vote at a statewide party caucus. The chair of the party will deliver any changes to the party rules to the Secretary of the State’s office within 5 business days.

March 6, 2008 Statewide Caucus Agenda

2008-02-28T18:13:00.000-08:00

The Connecticut for Lieberman Party will vote on a motion to adopt the following party rules at the March 6, 2008 party meeting, at 6:30 PM at 243 Zion Street in Hartford, Connecticut. If adopted, the rules will go into effect 60 days after the vote, in accordance with state statutes.

1. These party rules supersede any other party rules filed with the Secretary of the State’s office. All previous rules are null and void.

2. The Connecticut for Lieberman Party (CFL) rejects the fraud perpetrated on the members of this party and the citizens of Connecticut by Joe Lieberman when he used the creation of this party to get on the general election ballot in 2006. 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. The CFL wants everyone to know that in the United States of America, voters are free to join any party they wish, and participate in the democratic process according to the laws of Connecticut and the United States.

3. Candidates for public office for the CFL, party officers, and members of the State Central Committee must be registered members of the party.

4. Statewide party caucuses will be presided by the chair of the party. Party caucuses will follow Robert's New Rules of Order, Revised.

5. One must be a registered member of the CFL for a minimum of 90 continuous days prior to a caucus to have voting rights at that caucus.

6. A statewide party caucus will be held a minimum of once per calendar year. One caucus will be held no later than May 1. The date and place of the first caucus will be determined by the chair of the party. Additional meetings may only be called by a majority vote of the State Central Committee.

7. The time and place of statewide party caucuses will be announced by the chair of the party on the party website (www.ctforlieberman.org) for a minimum of 30 days in advance. Notification will also be delivered to the Secretary of the State's office a minimum of 7 days in advance of the meeting.

8. The four officers of the party (chair, treasurer, secretary, parliamentarian) shall be elected at the first statewide caucus of each calendar year. All registered members of the party may vote for any and all nominated candidates. The top vote getters for each office will be elected. An individual can only hold one office at a time, with the exception of parliamentarian. Terms will last until the first statewide caucus of the following calendar year. Candidates may run for re-election.

9. The State Central Committee will be composed of the chair, secretary, and treasurer of the party, and two additional registered members of the party. The two additional members will be elected at the first statewide caucus of each calendar year. All registered members of the party may vote for any or all nominated candidates. The top two vote getters will be elected. Terms will last until the first statewide meeting of the following calendar year. Candidates may run for re-election.

10. Candidates for public office will be chosen at a statewide party caucus. All registered members of the party may vote for any and all nominated candidates. The candidate for each office who receives the most votes at the caucus will be the nominee. There will be no primary elections. All eligible members may vote for any nominated candidate for any office, regardless of the district of residency of the voting member of the party.

11. Party members who meet the voting eligibility of (5.) above may deliver proxy votes in writing to the party chair a minimum of 24 hours before the caucus.

12. Following any nominating party caucus, the chair of the CFL will file an endorsement letter for each nominated candidate with the Secretary of the State's office within 5 business days, and apply for all necessary paperwork (petitions, etc.) to get the candidate on the ballot in November.

13. Party Rules can only be changed by a majority vote at a statewide party caucus. The chair of the party will deliver any changes to the party rules to the Secretary of the State’s office within 5 business days.

ADDITIONAL AGENDA ITEMS FOR MARCH 6, 2008 MEETING:
We will hold elections for new officers, and nominate candidates for public office.