Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman will have to decide soon whether to begin collecting signatures to appear on the ballot this fall as an independent, a sort of insurance policy should he lose the August 8th Democratic primary to liberal anti-war businessman Ned Lamont.Since Dem primary voters tend to be from the far left end of the party, Lieberman could be in real trouble. The angry left has no use for Dems who voted for the war and won't come out and grovel before them (see Kerry, John).
He might want to take out that policy. A new Rasmussen Reports poll shows Mr. Lieberman leading Mr. Lamont by just six percentage points, 46% to 40%. The poll had a small sample size, but a much larger Quinnipiac University poll this month shows Mr. Lieberman with only a 15-point lead among likely voters, dangerously small for a three-term incumbent.
Mr. Lamont was certainly feeling his oats this week at the liberal Campaign for America's Future meeting in Washington. He took direct aim at Senator Lieberman's support for the war in Iraq, criticism of which is Mr. Lamont's signature issue. "I think it's high time the Democrats stand up and stop mumbling," he told activists as he discussed the war. "Say it loud and clear... the guys who got us into this war are the least likely to think of a common sense way to get us out."
No doubt Mr. Lieberman is one incumbent who very much hopes the recent spate of good news in Iraq continues for the next two months as he engages in hand-to-hand political combat of his own with Mr. Lamont. In the meantime, don't be surprised if Mr. Lieberman lays the groundwork for a three-way general election race this fall by taking out papers allowing him to run as an independent.
A Republican would have a hard time beating Lieberman, and possibly even Lamont, but if the Dem vote is split, a GOP candidate could squeak through.
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