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Lamont Wins MoveOn's Endorsement in Online Primary, Tops Lieberman 85 Pct. to 14 Pct.(Comtex Business Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)WASHINGTON, May 26, 2006 (U.S. Newswire via COMTEX) --Ned Lamont has won MoveOn's endorsement for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in the organization's online Connecticut primary by a margin of 85 pct. to 14 pct. The online primary was conducted during a 24-hour period beginning May 25th at 8 am. Lamont's win, which was triggered when he passed two-thirds of the votes cast by MoveOn's Connecticut members, will mean funding and volunteer support from the national organization's members in his quest for the Democratic Party's nomination in August. "Lamont's substantial vote margin indicates the dissatisfaction of many MoveOn members over Senator Lieberman's continued support for the war in Iraq; his support for Big Oil's energy bill; and overall fatigue with the senator," said Eli Pariser, Executive Director of MoveOn.org Political Action. "Lamont's message resonated with members who want a senator who will stand up to President Bush on key issues and represent the views of most people in Connecticut," Pariser added. Last Thursday, both campaigns agreed to submit a message from the candidate or a surrogate, as Senator Lieberman did during MoveOn's 2004 online presidential primary. On Monday evening, however, Lieberman's campaign informed MoveOn that the senator had changed his mind and would not communicate with MoveOn's Connecticut membership. The organization then sent out an e-mail on the senator's behalf that summarized his campaign statements and those of his most distinguished supporters. The following comments were typical of the sentiments expressed by many of the MoveOn members who voted in the online primary: "I do not see that Senator Lieberman actually cares about Connecticut voters. He has treated them with contempt and complacence. I don't have a problem with Democrats who don't vote the party line, but I do have a problem with senators who treat their offices as an entitlement, and this is what Sen. Lieberman seems to be doing." -- Dara from New Haven, CT "Lamont is exactly the sort of candidate MoveOn should support: a true progressive running against the forces of Beltway conventional wisdom and accommodation of the Radical Right." -- Greg from Watertown, CT "I'm impressed with the "fresh approach" that Ned Lamont seems to bring to the table. I think that he's correct when he says that the Democratic party needs to stand out from the Republicans (and the "W" administration). At first I was leaning towards Joe Lieberman because I can see that he is an established senator who has many contacts and perhaps has the power of persuasion within Washington, but I'm willing to take a chance on a "new guy" who better fits the voice I'd like represented." -- Meegan from Waterbury, CT "Ned Lamont articulates my values about Iraq, health care, the environment." -- Marion from Branford, CT Vote validation was conducted by Voter Roll Call-a SurveyUSA Company. --- The Statement of Intent and rules of MoveOn's online primary follow. Statement of Intent and Rules This year in Connecticut the Democratic primary for United States Senate will likely determine who holds the Senate seat. In most primary processes, pundits, pollsters and wealthy donors determine the outcome long before the actual vote. By the time the rest of us cast our ballots, the nomination is typically a done deal. The MoveOn.org Political Action Primary allowed thousands of voters to choose which candidate to endorse -- if any. Consistent with MoveOn.org Political Action's policy for endorsements, the candidate who garners support from two-thirds of votes cast in the online primary will win the MoveOn member endorsement. If no candidate garners two-thirds support we will not make an endorsement. Here are the rules. 1) Voting will occur for 24 hours starting on May 25, 2006 at 8:00 AM Eastern and ending May 26, 2006 at 8:00 AM Eastern. 2) Only eligible persons may vote in the MoveOn online primary. To be eligible for this primary you must be currently subscribed to MoveOn's email list at a Connecticut postal address and have joined MoveOn before May 18, 2006 at 9 a.m. People not already on the MoveOn mailing list in Connecticut cannot vote in this primary. 3) The day before the primary, May 24, 2006, each of the two presumed candidates in the Democratic primary will have a chance to send an e-mail from themselves or a designee to the MoveOn membership in Connecticut. Candidates are asked to submit a final e-mail by May 23, 2006 at 5:00 PM Eastern to Eli Pariser. The e- mail may be text or HTML. It may contain hyperlinks and graphics. No code that may trigger SPAM filters will be allowed. If the candidate declines to send an e-mail, MoveOn may ask a proxy to write an e-mail on behalf of the candidate or send a note indicating that the candidate declined to participate. 4) Ballots will be distributed via e-mail on May 25. Members will vote through a secure web form on a MoveOn.org Political Action web page. The results will be tabulated by MoveOn.org Political Action staff. 5) Only one vote per member will be counted. A member may change their vote during the 24 hour voting period. The last vote the member registers will count as his or her official vote. 6) The campaigns may ask supporters who meet the criteria above to vote in the primary. Any evidence of fraud will be investigated, and fraudulent activity by candidates is cause for immediate disqualification. 7) To win the primary the candidate must receive two-thirds of votes cast. If no candidate receives two-thirds support, MoveOn won't issue an endorsement. 8) As an anti-fraud measure, MoveOn.org Political Action will conduct an automated phone poll of participants in the primary. The phone poll is not a binding survey. It will be used to identify fraud. If fraud is suspected the primary may be declared invalid. 9) This primary process and the rules governing it are the exclusive domain of MoveOn.org Political Action and all questions or disputes are resolved by Eli Pariser, Executive Director of MoveOn.org Political Action. To view a copy of the emails sent out to Connecticut MoveOn members on behalf of candidates Ned Lamont and Senator Joe Lieberman, go to: http://political.moveon.org/ctprimary/Lamont.html http://political.moveon.org/ctprimary/Lieberman.html http://www.usnewswire.com Trevor FitzGibbon, 202-246-5303, Jessica Smith, 202-236-3002, both for MoveOn.org Political Actio |