Democratic Senate candidate (and primary winner) Ned Lamont, while clarifying that he has never been a Republican, acknowledges he admires Senator Chuck Hagel for his stand against Bush’s foreign policy and Senator McCain who has no shortage or run-ins with the president. Lamont says, “I admire a guy who stands up.”

Apparently this admiration for mavericks does not extend to his own party as Lamont ousted Democratic Senator Joe Lieberman (and now independent candidate) primarily campaigning against Lieberman for taking a stand in support of the Iraq war and inconsistent with most Democrats.

I believe the common thread for Mr. Lamont is not supporting independent thinkers, but rather supporting anyone who stands against the president and attacking anyone who supports the president.