Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman — deeply unpopular with voters in his home state — is unlikely to seek reelection, a knowledgeable source tells POLITICO ahead of the senator’s announcement on Wednesday…Lieberman has had a stormy few years. He first came to national attention when he blasted Bill Clinton's behavior in a Senate speech. In 2000 he had the misfortune of being Al Gore's running mate and the subject of the "Sore-Loserman" signs that popped up during the Florida recount. In 2006 he lost his party's nomination to somebody far more liberal than him, but managed to win election as an independent with the support of Republicans and Independents. His endorsement of John McCain in 2008 probably finished him off as far as Connecticut politics were concerned, and he also was a vocal critic of the public option part of Obamacare, even threatening a filibuster over the issue.
“After many thoughtful conversations with family and friends over the last several months, Sen. Lieberman made a decision about his future over the holidays which he plans to announce on Wednesday,” said Erika Masonhall, a Lieberman spokeswoman who declined to comment further…
Lieberman’s announcement comes on the heels of Tuesday’s declaration by Susan Bysiewicz, the former Connecticut secretary of state, that she plans to enter the 2012 Democratic primary field for Lieberman’s Senate seat. Rep. Chris Murphy also has expressed interest in the Democratic primary…
A Public Policy Polling survey conducted in late October put Lieberman’s approval rating among Connecticut voters at 33 percent.
Personally, I like Lieberman. He's a lefty on many issues but not a disagreeable personality like so many on the Democrat side. The seat is almost certain to stay in Democrat hands, though perhaps by 2012 the Tea Party in that state might be able to come up with a better candidate than they did in 2010.
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