HARTFORD, Conn. – Ned Lamont may be trailing in the polls, but he's got one of America's biggest celebrities going to bat for him: Paul Newman.
The actor appears in a new TV spot for Lamont, who is running for a Senate seat, the campaign said yesterday.
“It's tough times out there, and Connecticut needs someone who is young, fresh and spunky,” Newman of Westport, Conn., urges voters. Lamont is 52. Incumbent Sen. Joseph Lieberman is 64.
Newman also recalls Lieberman's campaign in 1988 when he unseated former Sen. Lowell Weicker.
“Eighteen years ago, when Joe Lieberman was running against Lowell Weicker, Joe's battle cry was, '18 years is enough,' ” Newman says. “I suppose Joe said that because he knew that after 18 years the good old boys club trumped good government. Voters should take your advice, Joe; 18 years is enough. Vote for Ned Lamont.”
Lieberman's spokeswoman said voters would make their decisions based on the senator's “strong record” and “commitment to put people ahead of partisan politics.”
“Paul Newman has every right to speak his mind and voice his opinions, but with all due respect, he's just plain wrong,” Tammy Sun said.
