Lieberman might consider independent bid

[techs]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11442698/

HARTFORD, Conn. - Sen. Joe Lieberman, facing a challenge from within the Democratic Party, said Monday he has not ruled out running as an independent in his bid for a fourth term.

?I have not foreclosed the option,? Lieberman said at a news conference at the Capitol. ?If I wanted to run as an independent, I would. I?m running as a Democrat. I?ve been a Democrat all my life.?

Ned Lamont, a Democratic activist and anti-war candidate from Greenwich, is challenging Lieberman for the party?s nomination this year. He has been garnering support from some Connecticut Democrats dissatisfied with Lieberman?s stance on Iraq and his perceived closeness with President Bush?s administration.

The party will endorse a candidate at a convention on May 20.



Wow. It looks like a ploy. If Lieberman doesn't get the Democratic nomination and runs as a third party it would give the Republicans a chance at a Senate seat they would never have. So he may be telling the Dems its me or a Repub. Its an interesting story to watch.

 

[Aimster]

He won't win.

 

[BaliBabyDoc]

Lieberman is a tool . . . just like Zell Miller. It's quite easy to find principled yet arguably right of center Democrats; Sam Nunn, Ben Nelson. Lieberman's agenda is focused on Israel but what's best for Israel isn't necessarily what's best for the US.

Granted, I still expect the Dems in CT to endorse Lieberman but he's well aware that he's on borrowed time.

 

[Genx87]

I think Lieberman may be getting fedup with the ultra left within the party. Him running as an independent may be his best shot at a presidential bid. Hell I think I would even vote him.

 

[BaliBabyDoc]

Originally posted by: Genx87
I think Lieberman may be getting fedup with the ultra left within the party. Him running as an independent may be his best shot at a presidential bid. Hell I think I would even vote him.

As opposed to the ultra right that want to convert Jews to Christianity?

 

[kogase]

Don't know much about Lieberman except him being an ass for campaigning against violent video games.

 

[lozina]

ugh this guy is still around? why wont he just go away

 

[Moonbeam]

He will probably check first if he can run as the Republican nominee.

 

[zendari]

Not surpising given the radical left wing of the Democratic Party. He's a principled man who doesn't want to associate himself with them.

 

[Lemon law]

I have been always found Lieberman a total idiot. Trying to fit the role of a granfather of much sage wisdom. Not even a good Bush light alternative. Cheney ate him alive in the debates.--and showed Lieberman flat out could not think.

I certainly hope Lieberman does not get the democratic nomination and if he does not all he could do in running as an independant would be to lose the seat he has held to a Republican. So he is in a lose lose situation if he can't get the democratic nomination.

But Joe is finding out what many people already know------when you bet on the wrong horse--you lose. Iraq has proved to be that wrong horse---and only Lieberman is in denial about it----and now its time for him to pay the forfeit. Politically he is dead-------caught in a trap of his own making he was too stupid to avoid. ----and with a track record too extensive to deny or disavow---and that alone will alienate most of the electorate.

Wake up time------its time for Joe to go.

 

[lozina]

Originally posted by: Lemon law

Wake up time------its time for Joe to go.

Or how bout:

Wake up Joe, It's time to go!

 

[Genx87]

NM

 

[Thump553]

I totally depise Lieberman, but the reality is he will win again. Despite the facts that the GOP is talking about cross-endorsing him, several town Democratic committees have discussed censuring him, and the fact that his "opponent" is little more than a warm body with his own money to spend.

I wiah Lloyd Weicker would run against Lieberman (Lieberman defeated him to get the seat originally). Weicker is a nominal GOP (later was elected to govenor as an independent) and is, hands down, one of the very best political figures to come out of Connecticut in years. Just ask Richard Nixon! Weicker would have to run as an independent-he's a blunt talker who gives a rat's a** about either political party at this point. He's the only person who could give Lieberman a run for his money, and unfortunately Weicker carries local baggage-as govenor he adopted CT's income tax.

Seriously, though, there is only a snowball's chance in hell that Lieberman won't get the Dem nomination or get elected. He still has a 60+% approval rating among state Dems and well over 70+% for state GOPers. There is no real race going on, its just an illusion fostered to sell newspapers.

 

[BaliBabyDoc]

Originally posted by: Genx87

Originally posted by: BaliBabyDoc

Originally posted by: Genx87
I think Lieberman may be getting fedup with the ultra left within the party. Him running as an independent may be his best shot at a presidential bid. Hell I think I would even vote him.

As opposed to the ultra right that want to convert Jews to Christianity?

Is that all you have? What is the point of this reply?

What's the point of yours? There's been plenty of right of center Democrats in the Senate. The difference with Lieberman is that he's largely aligned himself with Bush on the one issue that an overwelming majority of moderates and looney's on the left disagree with . . . the Bush War.

Lieberman isn't a strong fiscal conservative . . . then again . . . neither are most Republicans and Democrats. Has supported a host of tax increases (gasoline, capital gains, tobacco).

He is a social conservative but he straddles the fence on hot button issues: against gay marriage, amorphous on abortion but clearly closer to pro-choice, supports vouchers for education but goes back and forth on the issue, supports mandatory child safety locks for guns.

Opposed Clinton health plan but favored an insurance industry backed approach . . . guess who his largest donors are?

If he went to the GOP he would be the sole Republican with a 100% rating from the League of Conservation Voters. He co-sponsored the Clean Air Act.

Backed the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. Voted for US to repay UN arrears.

He's basically a Jewish Lincoln Chafee. The only reason conservatives trot him out is the support for Bush's dumb war and "select" social issues. In essence, your post makes no sense b/c Lieberman appears quite happy to live in the Democratic party. The grumblings are that they may not be so happy living with him.

 

[Lemon law]

To Thump553,

You may well be right that Lieberman will win--and I sure agree with you about Weicker--we need more politicians like him.

But your accessment of Lieberman's chances may be based on conventional wisdom----if Iraq goes to hell in a handbasket------Lieberman and many other war supporters could find themselves in very serious trouble.--------along with the rest of the American people who will then really have to pay the price for a failed war.

 

[TheSlamma]

This country won't consider a 3rd party option for another hundred years. We are still stuck 100 years in the past thanks to Country music and Christianity.

 

[colonel]

I wont vote for him, he is my senator in CT, he has been a puppet of the administration and supported of the Iraq war since day 1..

 

[EatSpam]

Originally posted by: Genx87
I think Lieberman may be getting fedup with the ultra left within the party. Him running as an independent may be his best shot at a presidential bid. Hell I think I would even vote him.

The Lieberman agenda is putting Israel first, America a distant second and banning violent video games.

Well, I guess if you think Bush's Iraq war is good policy, you'd love Lieberman.

 

[johnnobts]

lieberman is about the only democrat i'd even consider voting for. you lefties want to eliminate the more centrist democrats from your party, be my guest... just make it harder for your own party to win elections.

 

[ntdz]

Lieberman running independent might pave the way to a Republican victory.

 

[EatSpam]

Originally posted by: johnnobts
lieberman is about the only democrat i'd even consider voting for. you lefties want to eliminate the more centrist democrats from your party, be my guest... just make it harder for your own party to win elections.

Uh, Lieberman is not a centrist. He's basically the same as George W. Bush, albeit more articulate.

Originally posted by: ntdz
Lieberman running independent might pave the way to a Republican victory.

As shown above, a Lieberman vs. Repub vs. Dem, Lieberman would pull votes from the Repub, not the Dem. Lieberman is viewed as a DINO.

 

[Harvey]

Originally posted by: BaliBabyDoc
Lieberman is a tool . . .

QFT

 

[Stunt]

Originally posted by: ntdz
Lieberman running independent might pave the way to a Republican victory.

I disagree.
I think most Democrats are against the war and would not vote for Lieberman. I wouldn't be surprised if he took votes from both sides equally.

 

[imported_okiepc]

Country music and Christianity, works for me!!

 

[raildogg]

Originally posted by: BaliBabyDoc
Lieberman is a tool . . . just like Zell Miller. It's quite easy to find principled yet arguably right of center Democrats; Sam Nunn, Ben Nelson. Lieberman's agenda is focused on Israel but what's best for Israel isn't necessarily what's best for the US.

Granted, I still expect the Dems in CT to endorse Lieberman but he's well aware that he's on borrowed time.

Lieberman is a tool for not saying typical Democrat crap? You want him to repeat the same old Bush bashing crap that Democrats say all the time?

There is no proof that Lieberman goes all out for Israel. Yes, he probably likes Israel because he is Jewish, but so what? Where is openmindedness from you left-of-center Democrats?