Conn. Democrats postpone Lieberman move

HARTFORD, Conn., Sept. 25 (UPI) -- Top Democrats in Connecticut say they will not attempt to censure U.S. Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman prior to the November general election.

Democratic state central committee member Audrey Blondin said the censure would be a disciplinary reaction to Lieberman's decision to speak at last month's Republican National Convention in support of Republican presidential candidate John McCain, The Hartford (Conn.) Courant said Thursday.

"For myself personally, (the speech) was the final straw," Blondin said during Wednesday's committee vote.

Despite such problems with Lieberman's recent actions, committee members voted unanimously to delay any party responses until after Dec. 17. That delay means a debate on the matter would not encumber the party during Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's quest for the White House.

Former state chairman John Olsen said a delay would also allow state Democrats to rally supporters for the general election so counter Lieberman's public support of McCain, the Courant said. Lieberman declared himself an independent in 2006 after losing the Democratic nomination in the Connecticut primary and won re-election to the Senate.

"The bigger the vote you turn out, you rebuke Joe that way," he said.