Lieberman Advised to Leave Senate Race

Sept. 3 -- Sen. Robert Torricelli of New Jersey, chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, suggested today that vice-presidential nominee Sen. Joseph Lieberman should abandon his senatorial re-election campaign.

In so doing, Liebermen would deny Connecticut’s Republican Gov., John Rowland, the chance togive the seat to a Republican if Lieberman, Al Gore’s running mate, should retain the White House for the Democrats.

“If indeed the prospects of the Gore ticket get better andbetter as the weeks go by, which I think they will, and (Lieberman)sees the real prospect of a Democratic majority in the Senate,which I think will become clearer, then Joe Lieberman has to make apersonal decision,” Torricelli said today on NBC’s Meet the Press.

Asked whether that decision would be to get out of the Senaterace, Torricelli said: “Well, it would from my perspective.”

As chair of the DSCC, Torricelli is leading the party’s drive to winthe seats necessary to overcome the Republicans’ 54-46 advantage inthe Senate.

“It is a difficult decision,” Torricelli added. “I’m glad I don’t have to make it. … I trust Joe Lieberman to make the right decision.”

But Lieberman, campaigning on Sunday, told reporters that replacing him by committee now would cause “a lot ofchaos” for the party.

“The U.S. Senate seat is too important tobe filled on the run,” Lieberman added..

Lieberman Already Nominated

Connecticut Democrats nominated Lieberman at their stateconvention July 14, three weeks before Gore chose him as his running mate.

Torricelli claimed that Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat, “wouldclearly win the seat” if he were appointed even as late as Oct.27, the last day for Lieberman to quit.

Contacted at his home, Blumenthal disagreed with Torricelli and said he does not expect Lieberman to abandon the race.