Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) has expressed regret for attending an award show affiliated with the Communist Party USA last week. The Democratic senator said in a Friday phone interview with the Hartford Courant, “My understanding was that this ceremony was strictly a labor event.’’ He explained that had been invited by local labor unions to honor three community members receiving awards. “If I had known the details, I wouldn’t have gone. … Let me just say very emphatically, I’m a Democrat and a strong believer in American capitalism. I have been consistently a Democrat and a strong supporter and believer in American capitalism,” he said. Blumenthal attended an annual Amistad Awards ceremony at a New Haven church hosted by the Connecticut People’s World Committee (CPWC) on Dec. 11. The CPWC is affiliated with the Communist Party USA. Blumenthal was introduced by Lisa Bergmann, a Communist Party member, as a “special surprise guest” …