Ford supports Lieberman in Connecticut Senate race

NASHVILLE, Tenn. --Democratic U.S. Rep. Harold Ford Jr. said he supports Sen. Joe Lieberman as he runs as an independent for his Connecticut U.S. Senate seat.

"I support Joe Lieberman. He knows that. I've made that clear from the very beginning," Ford said Monday on the radio talk show of conservative host Steve Gill.

Ford's U.S. Senate campaign confirmed Tuesday that Ford was endorsing Lieberman over Democratic nominee Ned Lamont.

Ford supported Lieberman as he ran in the Connecticut Democratic primary, but after Lieberman lost that race to Lamont, the Memphis congressman would not say whether he supported Lieberman as an independent.

Lieberman now holds a small lead over Lamont, according to independent polling.

"I don't know how much clearer I can be on this. I'm running for the United States Senate. I really haven't focused on (other races). I have my hands full," Ford told reporters Aug. 9, adding that he was a Democrat who supported Democrats.

At that time, the National Republican Senatorial Committee was criticizing Ford for refusing to say on MSNBC's Imus in the Morning show in July whether he'd support Lieberman as an independent candidate.

"When Joe Lieberman needed Ford's help the liberal congressman was nowhere to be found," NRSC spokesman Dan Ronayne said. "Now that Ford thinks endorsing Lieberman is politically in his best interests he has belatedly jumped on board -- some friend."

Ford faces former Chattanooga Mayor Bob Corker in the Nov. 7 general election. Early voting began Wednesday and runs through Nov. 2.

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On the Net:

Ford campaign: http://www.haroldfordjr.com