Ned Lamont Comes to Torrington

TORRINGTON - Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Ned Lamont kept his word and visited the city Saturday to open his campaign headquarters and knock on the doors of residents.

"One of the first places I visited (in the campaign) was Dos Amigos (in Torrington)," Lamont said to around 30 supporters at his Torrington campaign office at 75 Winsted Road. "People wanted a big change."

While Lamont visited the East Main Street restaurant in March, he cancelled an appearance there days before the Aug. 8 Democratic primary election to appear on Comedy Central's "The Colbert Report" with Stephen Colbert. Campaign spokesman Liz Dupont-Diehl promised on Aug. 31 that Lamont would be in the city by the end of September.
Lamont said Saturday that area residents need to elect a senator that will work to bring more federal aid into the state and to create an affordable universal health care system.

"Working (a job full time) doesn't pay any more," Lamont said. "The people (in the Northwest Corner) need affordable health care and affordable housing."

Lamont said he decided to seek office a year ago because President George Bush "is driving the country into a ditch."
He cited the war in Iraq, the need for national health care reform, and a need to change energy strategies as the reasons he defeated incumbent U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman in the primary by around 10,000 votes, securing the party's nomination.

"I kind of liked that primary," Lamont said. "It was the biggest (Democratic) turnout in state history. People wanted something to vote for."

His cancelled appearance at Dos Amigos was not a factor in Lieberman winning the city by around 300 votes in the primary, Lamont said. Lieberman, who has served three terms in the Senate and was Al Gore's vice president candidate 2000, is continuing in the race as an independent.

Lamont said there are too many lobbyists and special interest groups writing laws in Washington, D.C., and too much political action committee (PAC) money being used in campaigns.

"It is one bad bill after another (in Washington)," Lamont said.