A Republican in Connecticut?

Could there be a Republican in the Connecticut Senate race? Political Wire thinks there might be:

While few people actually saw today's early afternoon debate in Connecticut's U.S. Senate race, it's all anyone is talking about tonight. Alan Schlesinger (R) -- almost forgotten in a race primarily between Sen. Joe Lieberman (I) and Ned Lamont (D) -- came out of nowhere and dominated the entire debate. At least that's what the perception is, and in politics, that's the most important thing.

As one Political Wire reader notes, the dynamics of the race "shook to their foundations." Schlesinger was "articulate and passionate" and contrasted with a "mealy-mouthed Lieberman and a Lamont who faded into the background in the face of the GOP candidate's assault."

The Hartford Courant notes Schlesinger "cast himself as the lone conservative pitted against two liberals." Based on the reaction from talk radio alone, he's almost certainly going to improve his position in the next poll of the race.

Yeah, he might go from 5% to 6%, but I think it's a major stretch to suggest that Schlesinger will be any kind of significant factor in the race. I'd love to see him make a big run and knock both Lamont and Lieberman out, but that just isn't going to happen.