By JENNIFER MEDINA
WILLIMANTIC, Conn., July 4 — Senator Joseph I. Lieberman tried to reassert his commitment to the Democratic Party today, after announcing on Monday that he would run independently for reelection if he loses the state Democratic primary next month.
"I have one goal, and it is to be the Democratic nominee and win this primary," Mr. Lieberman said after an Independence Day parade in this eastern Connecticut town, where he marched with a few dozen people, drawing both cheers of support and shouts of opposition.
Speaking to reporters at the end of the parade route, Mr. Lieberman decried what he saw as too much hatred in politics.
"Once you start hating, you lose the ability to get anything done," he said.
He added later that when he disagreed with his party, it was on the basis of principles.
"I think that saying 'you've got to be with us for everything' is the road to defeat for any political party," he said.
The parade today was Mr. Lieberman's first public appearance since he announced that he would begin gathering 7,500 signatures on nominating petitions so that he can seek a place on the November ballot as an independent if he is denied the Democratic nomination.
The move by Mr. Lieberman, a political moderate and longtime party leader who is seeking his fourth term, underscores the increasing vulnerability he feels over his support for the Iraq war.
Also marching in the Willimantic parade, along with scores of supporters, was Ned Lamont, a wealthy businessman and Democratic political newcomer who is mounting a strong challenge to Mr. Lieberman in the Aug. 8 primary. He has criticized Mr. Lieberman for supporting President Bush on the war and other issues.
Mr. Lieberman said on Monday that even if he wins re-election as an independent candidate, he would remain "a proud Democrat" and would caucus with other Democratic senators.
Still, the prospect that Mr. Lieberman may find himself running against his own party's nominee is a startling turn for the senator, who has spent his entire three-decade career in politics within the Democratic Party and ran as its vice-presidential nominee in 2000 alongside Al Gore.
Left-leaning Internet bloggers have marked Mr. Lieberman for defeat, drawing national attention and money for Mr. Lamont and posing a difficult choice for Democratic leaders, who have vigorously backed Mr. Lieberman. ...
<http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/04/nyregion/04cnd-lieberman.html?_r=1&oref=slogin>
Carl