WP:Jury Out on Lieberman Effect

Independent Run Could Hurt, Help Democrats Seeking House
Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman's decision to run as an independent against Ned Lamont, Connecticut's new Democratic nominee for Senate, will mean that three marquee House races in the state will have to share top billing in November with a bitter rematch that could divert money and publicity from those critical contests.

That could complicate Democrats' designs to win those races as part of an effort to seize control of the House. But by keeping the state's electorate focused on President Bush and the war in Iraq, the Lamont-Lieberman rematch will keep voters energized, and may ultimately bolster the House challengers, Democrats and some independent analysts said.

"Lieberman will do more for Democratic House candidates by being in the race than by not being in the race," said Ken Dautrich, a professor of public policy at the University of Connecticut. "It's plausible that all three (GOP House incumbents) will fall, and it's more likely if Lieberman is running as an independent."

Democrats need to win 15 seats to gain control of the House, and Connecticut -- with its strong anti-Bush undercurrents -- represents potentially one-fifth of that total. Democrats think they have a good chance of unseating Republican Reps. Nancy L. Johnson, Christopher Shays and Rob Simmons.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/09/AR2006080901774.html

The Big Baby is now joining Ralph Nader as a spoiler with Republican funding. Now the ROVE connection comes to light!!!! This LOOSER must be stripped of all his Democratic seats. He sits on many Democratic boards and comities. He must be completely removed, ASAP! Spread the word no more D.I.N.O.'s
www.whatnowtoons.com

He wants to be independent. Let him be truly independent- ALONE!

P.S. Welcome to DU! :hi:

an injustice to all progressives. Also, don't buy the BS that Nader took GOP funds. Nader deserves more respect than he often gets from this board as he's done more for this nation that nearly any policymaker alive today. And he stepped up aginast the Iraq war from day one. (PS: I voted for Kerry and not Nader in 04 so hold your fire.)

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

gather steam as we get closer to November. Casey vs. Santorum here in PA is going to get very heated.
The swiftboaters are trying to smear my congressman, Murtha. Murtha and his supporters are fighting back in a big way (thank heaven).

Voters will start to focus on the individual races a little more, IMHO.

Democrats need to work for victory in EVERY state. :dem:

Below is a pre-primary piece from the CT Post newspaper:

Here's a scenario that's hilarious to contemplate. Consider a Lamont victory, which at this point is entirely likely. Joe-mentum becomes Joe-mamma and Lieberman files the 7,500 petitions on Aug. 9 to run as an independent in November.

Then ponder the chance that adults in the Republican Party tell Alan Gold, nee Schlesinger, that it's time to fold his cards and drop out of the race. Insert an attractive, articulate, pedigreed Republican, such as Sen. John McKinney of Fairfield, onto the ballot for U.S. Senate. All of a sudden, Connecticut Republicans have someone to support other than Lieberman and Democrats lose a seat in the U.S. Senate. Now THAT would be entertainment.

Watch and see.

They will be heading the other direction like a stampeding herd of cattle.