Lieberman congratulates Senator-Elect Blumenthal

Self-described “independent Democratic” U.S. Senator Joseph Lieberman of Stamford just released a statement congratulating Democratic Senator-elect Richard Blumenthal for last night’s victory over Republican Linda McMahon.

Here’s Lieberman’s statement:

“I congratulate Senator-elect Blumenthal on being elected to the United States Senate, and I welcome him to Connecticut’s congressional delegation.  Dick brings to the Senate over thirty years of distinguished public service to our state; first as US Attorney for Connecticut, then as a state legislator, and most recently as Attorney General.  I look forward to working closely with Dick and the other members of our delegation as we move forward together to address the pressing issues facing Connecticut and the nation.”

Despite past clashes with the McMahon family company, Stamford-based World Wrestling Entertainment, over the sexual/violent content of some programming (Linda’s husband, Vince, in 2001 told Playboy Magazine Lieberman was “scary”), Lieberman did not endorse Blumenthal.

The McMahons donated to Lieberman’s last campaign in 2006, during which he lost the Democratic Party’s nomination over his support of the Iraq invasion but came back in the general election as a third party candidate.