Political Capitol

Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell today released the schedule for the annual Holiday Open House she hosts each season at her mansion in Hartford.

“This house truly belongs to the people,” Rell said. “This free open house gives families from across the state the opportunity to see the Governor’s Residence decorated for the holidays. I urge everyone to take a few minutes to stop in and say hello.”

The dates and times are: Dec. 5, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Dec. 6, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Dec. 7, noon to 4 p.m. Live musical entertainment is provided and Santa Claus will be on hand in the mornings.

In other Rell-related holiday news, Rell spokesman Christopher Cooper told me the state’s growing budget deficit has resulted in the Governor’s canceling the annual holiday parties she has hosted for lawmakers and state commission heads.

While stumping for Republican Sen. John McCain’s presidential campaign, Sen. Joseph Lieberman, the self-described independent Democrat from Stamford expressed deep reservations about then-Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama’s foreign policy positions.

His intent was clear – to paint McCain as the best candidate to protect America and deal with its enemies and allies abroad.

But after now President-Elect Obama announced his national security team earlier today, Lieberman issued the following statement: “I applaud President-Elect Obama for assembling a talented and bipartisan national security team. At a moment in history when our natoin facs both great dangers and great opportunities in our foreign relations, the President-Elect has begun to build an administration that can lead America forward on the world state with purpose and principle.”