poll: Lieberman behind double-digits; says he will run as an independent

[dajoki]

ABC
http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=2272287

By SUSAN HAIGH

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. Aug 3, 2006 (AP)— U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman said Thursday that he hopes a new poll showing his primary challenger with a double-digit lead will "shake up" his supporters and help him eke out a victory.

Lieberman also said he will run as an independent if he loses the Democratic primary on Tuesday, despite reservations being voiced by some national party leaders.

"But I intend to win the primary," he quickly added.

Lieberman, 64, one of the Senate's most well-known moderate Democrats and his party's nominee for vice president in 2000, has been widely criticized for his support of the Iraq war and his perceived closeness with President Bush.

[Phredicles]

1. So he's stabbed Bill Clinton in the back again, then?

I mean, wasn't Clinton's endorsement offered on the condition that Feebleman accept the result of the Democratic primary?

[MarkDevin]

10. I keep hearing that...

...but so far, I haven't been able to find any concrete evidence that the agreement was actually made between Lieberman and Clinton. If anyone has such evidence, please post it! Thanks.

[snowbear]

2. "But I intend to win"

Remember the old saying Joe...

"The Road to Hell is Paved With Good Intentions"

[movonne]

3. "Most well-known moderate Dem" What a joke, a moderate!!!!

[dajoki]

4. Yeah, that one got me also n/t

[Phredicles]

6. Right, but this is why I think it was such a blunder for our man Al to

make him his running mate: It's given Lieberman a prominence he otherwise would not have and certainly does not deserve. It's given him carte blanche to act as a self-appointed "bridge" between the two parties and pull the Democrats ever rightward. This is how he came to have nationnwide prominence and, incidentally, why even a West Coast guy like myself is following his flameout with such unalloyed glee.

[beltanefauve]

5. Ho hum

Yet another slanted article in which the name Ned Lamont is lead by the words, "millionaire businessman", as if Joementum is a pauper. And again, the attempt to pidgeonhole Lamont as being strictly a "single-issue" candidate. The article also mentioned "antipathy" towards Lieberman. From what I understand, its not antipathy, its downright anger!

[kurth]

7. The most important thing in the world to Lieberman is Lieberman

You've done enough damage, Joe.

[johnnydrama]

8. I have a feeling

Just a feeling, but I think Lamont will blow him away, and Lieberman will crawl back to where he came from, tail
between his legs.

I mean, what has the swing beein in 3 weeks, 25 points?

I think Lamont's gonna win easily by double digits.

[Bucky]

9. It wouldn't really bother me if Lieberman won as an independent. Really

I'm pretty sure the Republican nominee isn't going to take it. If Lamont takes the nomination, he's going to get a huge boost in the general election preference polls. Lieberman will have an uphill battle, even if he has a lead in three way match ups right now. If he loses his own party's nomination, then it's gonna hurt him in the first polls after the primary.

That said, if Lieberman can run as an independent and win, then either he's a perfect match for the voters of Connecticut, or Lamont's not as good as he seems. Once (or if) Lamont wins the primary, the general election will be his to lose. But there's hardly a down-side here. Even if Joe can get his "-mentum" back enough to pull an upset... he's still gonna vote to organize with the Dems. (Pro-war or not, a pro-gay-rights, pro-gun-control, environmentalist just isn't going to find a home in the Republican party).

We're in a no-lose situation in Connecticut. But my gut says Lieberman's gonna be filling out job applications in January.

[calimary]

13. I agree with you. It will be a watershed event - signalling to EVERYONE

both politicians AND the media alike that the war, and support of bush particularly in regard to that war, is officially the "kiss of death." That's why it's SO critically important for Ned Lamont to blow him away. It can't even be close. It has to be big. Big enough that it can't be stolen, or spun as not a decisive win or a clear message. This may very well be the official wake-up call if Lamont wins.

And if it's a win by a lot, it will likely also bring out the big-name Dems in droves to convince lieberman to step aside like a gentleman, because there'll be no way he'll be able to win as an independent. It'll bring out a tidal wave of people urging him to put his party first, and himself last. And behind the scenes, I'll bet there'll be brokering to find him a respectable "out" like a big-ass job in the DLC or something. Or maybe Pox "news" will come calling, making him their resident "pet liberal." (LOL)

[MarkDevin]

11. I can just hear Lieberman when the press isn't around.

"I don't care if the voters want me or not. It's my Senate seat, and I'm keeping it!"

Selfish prick.

[dajoki]

12. You nailed it n/t