Will the Dems kick Lieblowman out?

[tibor75]

Lieberman gains ground against Lamont
New poll shows statistical tie heading into Tuesday's Democratic primary


EAST HAVEN, Conn. - On Tuesday, Connecticut Democrats will either divorce Sen. Joe Lieberman, thus ending a political marriage that goes back to 1970 when he was first elected to the state legislature, or they’ll renew their contract with the senator, who has tried the patience of many Democrats with his support of the Iraq war.

Playing the role of suitor to Connecticut Democrats is Ned Lamont, whose anti-war candidacy appeared to have scant chance of success just three months ago.

As in many troubled marriages, the refrain from one of the spouses is, “You’re taking me for granted.”

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As she passed out Lamont flyers at the firemen’s carnival in Orange, Conn. Sunday, Lamont volunteer Lupi Robinson of North Haven said, “People outside Connecticut don’t get it. For most of us Democrats this really is about attitude more than ideology. Sure, the war is important and we don’t support the (Iraq) war, but what we really don’t support is the feeling Mr. Lieberman puts across that he doesn’t have to respond to constituents’ concerns.”

She called Lieberman “incredibly complacent” and added, “He treats that Senate seat as if it was a baronial fiefdom, something that was his by right.”

Robinson’s husband went to the Yale School of Management with Lamont and she threw a house party for Lamont early in his candidacy.

At first Lamont may have seemed a quixotic or nuisance candidate from Lieberman’s point of view, but if he wins Tuesday’s primary, his victory will be one of the most audacious political feats of the last 20 years.

Lieberman has vowed that if he loses Tuesday’s primary he will run as an independent.

The latest poll
A Quinnipiac University poll released Monday showed Lamont leading Lieberman 51 percent to 45 percent among likely Democratic voters, a lead within the poll’s margin of error.

Lamont had a seven-point bigger lead in last week’s Quinnipiac survey.

“Public polling suggests we haven’t closed the sale,” said Lieberman campaign manager Sean Smith Sunday night before the new Quinnipiac data came out.

But he said voters were having second thoughts about Lamont. “They’re asking, ‘do we really want to wake up on Wednesday morning without Joe Lieberman? And with a guy we don’t know much about?”

If Lieberman wins on Tuesday night, it will be a severe rebuff to the left wing of the Democratic Party and to Moveon.org which has worked to propel his campaign. It will suggest that the bark of the anti-Lieberman blogs, such as MyDD.com, is worse than their bite.

If Lamont wins, the questions for Wednesday morning are:

Will Lieberman follow through on his promise to run as an independent? Can he go to his national network of donors and raise the money he’d need to run an independent campaign? Or will Democratic Party leaders in Washington such as Sen. Chuck Schumer pass the word to Democratic donors to shun Lieberman? Will the Lamont-Lieberman battle, if it goes on into the fall, suck up money that Democrats might have spent on other close races, such as those in Missouri and Washington state? Has the battle between the two men sown seeds of bitterness that will poison Democratic politics for years to come?

Asked Sunday what he would do to unify the party, Lamont said, “Let’s see what happens Tuesday first. First I’ve got to make sure everyone votes. I hope they vote for a change.”

Lamont said if he wins, “I’m going to reach out to as many people as I can and tell them I want to meet with them so that they get to know who I am. And I think we’ll do just fine.”

But Lieberman already knows very well who Lamont is –- and he doesn’t like him one bit.

He fired a blast at his challenger Sunday night accusing him of lying about Lieberman’s record and of being unprepared to serve as a United State senator.

[GoBucks89]

I had heard that Lamont was way ahead in the polls. I wonder how Lieberman could have caught up so quickly.

[scooter1369]

Originally Posted by GoBucks89

I had heard that Lamont was way ahead in the polls. I wonder how Lieberman could have caught up so quickly.

Those evil repugs... wait....

[ekeen]

Will the Dems kick Lieblowman out?

I don't know much about Connecticut politics but I know a lot of people within the Democratic party have had their doubts about Lieberman's support for the war in Iraq and the war on terrorism.

Fittingly, Cokie Roberts flat out admitted on 'This Week' that a Lieberman defeat would pull the Democratic party further to the left (which I agree with too.) Check out the audio clip and the look of confusion on Steponallofus' face:

This Week link

I am not sure what Steponallofus is getting at by saying the elections will be about Iraq....meaning Republicans will lose. I don't agree with that one bit. Especially since 50% of American's still think Saddam had WMD's in 2003. If this is true and if you look at other polls that suggest that Republicans handle foreign policy better (while Democrats handle demestic policy better) and join the two.....how would one say the American public is willing to turn foreign policy over to Democrats?

[Taosman]

Having lived in Ct for 20+ years I'm very familiar with Joe.
He is a fine, honorable man.
Should NEVER have been on the Dem ticket for President. Bad decision by the Dems.
Having said that he is a fine representative of the people.
Maybe he's just not wiling to "play the political game".
Does that make him a bad politician? Maybe.

[The KSB]

I feel some serious "Joementum" building!!!!

[methomps]

Originally Posted by GoBucks89

I had heard that Lamont was way ahead in the polls. I wonder how Lieberman could have caught up so quickly.

Roids