It's Democratic Primary Election Day here in Connecticut with all the buzz of a national election due to the Lieberman/Lamont primary. The Page One headlines of the three daily papers which arrive on my doorstep with a thud before 6AM read:
"TOSSUPS - Gaps closing in senatorial, gubernatorial primary races" The New Haven Register
"It's Down to The Wire - Lieberman Energized as Nationally Watched Race with Lamont Appears to Tighten" The Hartford Courant
"Lieberman and Lamont Take Differences on Iraq to the Wire" The New York Times
There is more 'buzz' for this election than any in recent memory. The national media has been here for weeks reporting every move between the two Senatorial candidates and their supporters. For example, the Bill Clinton appearance in Waterbury with Joe; and Ned, Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton 'bussing' around the state together.
It will be interesting to see the turnout numbers. For me, the relevant data involves these figures: 14,506 unaffiliated voters joined the Democratic Party while 14,380 new voters registered as Democrats for a total of 28,886 potential participants.
Although the Senatorial primary between Lieberman/Lamont is drawing the most national interest, Connecticut residents will also be watching the Gubernatorial primary between the New Haven and Stamford Mayors - John DeStefano and Daniel Malloy.
For me - a life-long political junkie - it's a major event although as an unaffiliated voter I do not participate at the voting booth. For some others, the big news of the day is that Chris Matthews will be playing 'Hardball' on the New Haven Green today. Enjoy - this is Democracy in America. JC