Lieberman Files Forms for Independent Run

NewsMax ^ | 11 July 2006

[Aussie Dasher]

U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman filed papers Monday that will allow him to petition his way onto the November ballot if he loses the primary election, his campaign said.

The three-term Democratic senator faces a tough Aug. 8 primary challenge from businessman Ned Lamont.

Lieberman, whom fellow Democrats have criticized for his support of the Iraq war and a perceived closeness with President Bush, is popular among many unaffiliated and Republican voters in Connecticut.

He announced his intent last week to run independently should he lose the primary. He would have to file signatures the day after the primary.

He also filed papers Monday to create a new party called Connecticut for Lieberman. A group of 25 people who are helping him form the party will oversee the petition drive, said Marion Steinfels, campaign spokeswoman.

Tom Swan, Lamont's campaign manager, has said an independent run would hurt Democrats.

"He does this from a position of weakness, where he looks like a desperate career politician attempting to cling to power," Swan said.

Lieberman was the Democratic Party's vice presidential nominee in 2000 and ran for the presidential nomination in 2004.

[Aussie Dasher]

Run Joe, Run!!!

[onyx]

He's not all that confident, is he?

[Aussie Dasher]

Not confident as a 'Rat, anyway!

[Howlin]

I know you don't like him, but this is kind of sad, don't you think?

[onyx]

Nope, not of he splits the democrat vote and permits the GOP candidate to squeak in.

[TheEaglehasLanded]

Does the Republican have a primary challenge? if not Connecticut Republicans should vote for Lieberman. Payback for the Dems supporting McCain in several states in 2000 and Senators like Specter against conservatives like Toomey.

[Kryptonite]

If he loses the primary, he almost has to run as an independent, for the way the national demonrats have snubbed him.

After all, the guy was their choice to be a heartbeat from the Presidency in 2000. He's the same as he ever was -- but they have taken a turn for the worse -- and he ought to extract a pound of flesh on principle alone.

[scrabblehack]

Yes, I would take it as a snub as well. But Lieberman has promised to caucus with the Democrats if elected as an independent. Now yes, he has to choose one or the other, but to say that with 100% certainty he will caucus with the Democrats suggests to me that either he is the most grudge-free politician who ever lived (not likely) or this whole thing is a ruse (I'll admit, I don't have a good explanation why -- other than maybe the D's are trying to gauge public opinion on Iraq.)

[gondramB]

>>
He's not all that confident, is he?<<

He's also got Hillary problems and conflict with Kerry.

But that makes him all that much more "centrist" in the general.

[gondramB]

>>Now yes, he has to choose one or the other, but to say that with 100% certainty he will caucus with the Democrats suggests to me that either he is the most grudge-free politician who ever lived (not likely) or this whole thing is a ruse<<

While that is a possibility its also possible he is a smarter politician than many people think.

[fatima]

I saw you say that before and I have to ask why?

[cherry]

I'll say this about Lieberman.....he speaks his mind and sticks to his ideals...sort of like Ed Koch.....sure, we probably hate about 75% of what they stand for, but thats a heap less than the run-of-the-mill Demorat....

[Howlin]

It's not on the up and up; if they defeated him sqaurely it would be one thing; but they are just out to destroy him, whether we agree with his politics or not. I think that is sad.

[fatima]

Howlin,Destroy him how?Never mind you know some things.I kinda like him and think he is a nice person.

[Southack]

It's a setup. Lieberman is polling 64% statewide, but only 46% in the Democratic Primary (obviously, registered Democrats aren't supporting him strongly).

So he loses the Primary. Big deal. He still coasts to an easy victory in the general election...with Senator Boxer and Senator Clinton backing him.

Then he caucuses with the Dems...but the radical Left can point to their "strength" in winning the Dem primary...as a fund-raising tool...as a way to move Senate Dems even *further* to the Left.

Senator Clinton can then point to her support of "centrist" Lieberman against the radical Left as a way to establish that she isn't one of the radical Left.

I'm not falling for it.

[Howlin]

I think he's nice too, in a Zell Miller kind of way, except I think he is a true believe in what the democrats USE to be, you know?

[onyx]

I don't see him losing his seat, do you?

[A6M3]

I think what we have here is the Stalinists (the Democratic Party and their running dogs) VS. the Troskyites (Joe Lieberman and his supporters). Joe, here's some advice, don't try and retire in Mexico.

[nopardons]

I can't wait to vote in November....I'd vote for the GOPer, if they ran a giraffe! Well, I was going to vote GOP anyway, a but this is going to be fun. LOL

[nopardons]

Nope, NOT "sad" at all. LIEberman is a rotten hypocrite and as far left as one can get; except for his stance on the WOT.