Senator Pins Lieberman Hope on Primary (drop plans to run as an independen

[Omaha Steve]

FULL STORY: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20060805/D8JA0F3G2.html

Senator Pins Lieberman Hope on Primary
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Aug 4, 10:49 PM (ET)

By DEVLIN BARRETT

WASHINGTON (AP) - In a fresh sign of trouble for embattled Sen. Joe Lieberman, a fellow lawmaker and campaign ally suggested Friday that the three-term Connecticut incumbent drop plans to run as an independent if he loses Tuesday's Democratic primary by a wide margin.

"I think he really has to take a look at what reality is," said New Jersey Sen. Frank Lautenberg, who campaigned by Lieberman's side earlier this week.

Lautenberg also said he would switch his allegiance if anti-war challenger Ned Lamont prevails in the primary. Lieberman, the 2000 Democratic vice presidential nominee, trails his primary rival by double-digit margins in public and private polls heading into the campaign's final weekend.

Lieberman said Lautenberg's assessment "doesn't come from me."


Sen. Joe. Lieberman, D-Conn., speaks to construction workers during a campaign stop in Hartford, Conn., Friday, Aug. 4, 2006. Lieberman on Thursday said he'll still run as an independent should he lose the primary Tuesday, despite reservations being voiced by some national Democrats. (AP Photo/Bob Child)


"There is no basis for that conclusion by anybody. ... I have not said that to anybody, we have not discussed such a possibility. So, that may have been Frank's personal point of view, but it doesn't come from anybody in my campaign," he told Connecticut Radio Network.

With his remarks, Lautenberg went further than other prominent Democrats by suggesting that Lieberman decide to accept the verdict of the primary voters as final.

Other party leaders have said they intend to support Tuesday's winner, with a formal announcement possible as early as Wednesday. But they have avoided speculation about Lieberman's post-primary plans, saying they did not want to convey the impression that they expect his defeat.

Lieberman said as recently as Thursday that he would run as an independent if he failed to capture the Democratic nomination.


Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Ned Lamont speaks to supporters during a campaign appearance in Greenwich, Conn., Friday Aug. 4, 2006. Lamont, who is challenging incumbent U.S. Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman for the Democratic primary, is currently leading in the polls. (AP Photo/Douglas Healey)

[w4rma]

1. Good. (nt)

[Kagemusha]

2. Jane Hamsher of firedoglake.com didn't like this, but...

she was arguing this is setting up, 'well Lieb only lost by 5-6 points so he can run as an independent'. But when you look at it in context of Lautenburg going further than any other prominent Democrat, you see that he's dipping his toe in the water and setting the stage for a stronger push. That's how the media's reading it, at least.

[flamingyouth]

3. Duplicate

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=2436277