Posted on 06/26/2006 4:49:21 PM PDT by Aussie Dasher
Senator and former vice presidential candidate Joe Lieberman will lose the Democratic primary in Connecticut, political strategist Dick Morris predicts.
What’s more, if Lieberman then runs in the general election as an independent, he will be "so crippled” by his defeat in the August 8 primary, and his Democratic opponent Ned Lamont "so empowered,” that Lieberman will lose the general election as well and give up his seat in the Senate, says Morris.
"Indeed, by going through the primary and being defeated, he will give the GOP a good chance to win in Connecticut, which they would not have if he just ran as an independent,” Morris told NewsMax.
"But if he drops out of the primary, he will be re-elected as an independent.”
Senator Jacob Javits, in 1980, "could have avoided defeat by not fighting the Republican primary against Al D’Amato and running as an independent. But D’Amato was so empowered by the primary win, and Javits so disempowered, that D’Amato won the general election with Javits running a poor third,” Morris told Political Wire.
"Lieberman’s correct course of action is to withdraw from the primary and run as an independent. It is the only way he can get re-elected.”
Liberals have made defeating Lieberman one of their chief goals in 2006, contributing thousands of dollars to wealthy businessman Lamont’s campaign. Lamont himself is worth nearly $100 million and has poured his cash into the campaign.
And left-wing bloggers have been "constantly bashing Lieberman, especially for his fervent support of the Iraq war and his standing as the strongest Democratic supporter of President Bush’s policies there,” Time magazine reports.
Recent polls disclosed that Lieberman’s lead over Lamont, which once stood at 40 percentage points, has narrowed to 15 points, and Lamont continues to gain ground on the incumbent.
Lieberman is especially vulnerable, according to Time, because the primary tends to draw low turnouts – "and the people most motivated to vote may be those angry at Lieberman.”
Why doesn't he try to run as a Republican, then? Seems he would have a better chance in the GOP primary.
Lieberman will win becuase Morris is always wrong. But, I do agree that if he did lose we would eb the winners.
Joe could hang out with jumping Jim.
This may shock some, but he doesn't always get it right.
The king of the bad predictions strikes again! I know Morris is basing this on his primary opponent's recent gain in the polls, but I submit he's about peaked at his ceiling of support of around 35%. This guy's ceiling of support is in no way over 50%. If it's over 40% I'll eat my hat.
I wish in a way this were true because then Lieberman will become an independent thus depriving the Dems. of a seat in the Senate, but then Lieberman deserves to win the primary outright because of his principled and courageous stand supporting the liberation of Iraq. It's a shame the deceived Democrats (redundant I know) of CT. can't see that.
Very good points.
Good news for Lieberman -- Dickie is always wrong.
One thing consistent about Morris - his inability to get it right.
Nutmeg, this definitely belongs on your Connecticut ping list.
PING AWAY!!!
"This may shock some, but he doesn't always get it right."
Correction:
This may shock some, but he hardly ever gets it right.
Dick is wrong. As usual. Lieberman will win by 10 points. Mark my words.
I myself am having a problem with Morris.
Lieberman should run as an independent, and if he wins re-election he should caucus with the Repubs.
If Lieberman loses the primary, the GOP needs to rally around Alan Schlesinger.
Thanks. And Morris's claim that if Lieberman loses the primary then runs as an independent will cause him to lose is more bunk. Polls show Lieberman will win the general as an independent against Lame-ont and the Republican candidate with 53% of the vote. The extremists may vote Lieberman out in August, but the sensible voters will be back in November to keep Lieberman in office regardless of party affiliation. Hell, it is likely his running as an independent will help Lieberman in the primary with moderate and even Republican voters. (I can't believe after how I berated this guy during the 2000 election that I'm now rooting him on!" It's a topsy turvy world we live in.
If Lieberman runs as an Independent, the first question asked will be how he will vote to organize if he wins. That will force him to align with the Democrats or the Republicans, which will make his independence moot. If he says he'll organize with the Democrats, then that will just defer the primary to the general election, and the same contest will result. If he says he will organize with the Republicans, why would the Democrats of Connecticut vote for him?
-PJ
Can Republicans vote in the 'Rat primary there?
Lieberman is too liberal for my taste on everything except the war.
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