"Joe-mentum" Runs Out - Longtime Video Game Critic Lieberman Loses Connecticut Primary

Sen. Joe Lieberman has joked in the past that ESA boss Doug Lowenstein owes him his job. The Connecticut Democrat is at least partially right. Lieberman's legislative efforts to stop the marketing of violent video games to children in the mid-1990's were a major part of the impetus which led the industry to form the trade group known today as the ESA.

This morning, however, Lieberman could use some job help of his own.

The three-term incumbent lost Tuesday's Connecticut primary to challenger Ned Lamont. Although he was trailing by double-digits in early returns, Lieberman closed the gap as the night went on, finishing with 48% of the vote to Lamont's 52%.

Ultimately, it was Lieberman's position on the Iraq war that cost him the support of Connecticut voters, who came to see the moderate Democrat as a puppet of the Bush Administration's failed Iraq policy.

Lieberman conceded the primary to Lamont late last evening, but vowed to fight on as an independent Democratic candidate in November's general election.

"For the sake of our state, our country and my party, I cannot, I will not let this result stand," Lieberman told supporters in Hartford.

Democratic leaders, however, are concerned that an independent Lieberman candidacy could split the party's vote in November. They are expected to appeal to Lieberman to drop out on unity grounds.

The New York Times is reporting that Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) will announce their support for Ned Lamont as early as this morning.

Although it may be premature to begin writing Lieberman's political obituary, there's little doubt that he had a major influence in persuading the video game industry to begin policing itself. In addition to his early efforts, Lieberman gave his support to Dr. David Walsh of the National Institute on Media and Family. The Connecticut senator appeared alongside Walsh as the NIMF president delivered his organization's Annual Video Game Report Card.

Along with Sens. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and Evan Bayh (D-IN) Lieberman is co-sponsor of the Family Entertainment Protection Act (FEPA), legislation currently before the Senate.

Lieberman was also a favorite of controversial Miami attorney Jack Thompson.