[bill.aam]

Could this be our best, first chance at an Independent President?


By SUSAN HAIGH
Associated Press Writer

HARTFORD, Conn.

Democratic Sen. Joe Lieberman, warily watching his primary challenger advance in the polls, must soon decide whether to start collecting signatures for a possible independent bid this November.

Lieberman's campaign contends that it's focused only on winning the Aug. 8 primary, but the Democrat has not ruled out petitioning his way onto the November ballot as part of a backup plan to secure a fourth term in the Senate.

"I am not going to close out any options," the senator recently told reporters.

Lieberman has until Aug. 9 _ the day after the Democratic primary _ to collect 7,500 signatures from registered voters to gain a spot on the ballot as an unaffiliated candidate.

But any effort to gather signatures before the primary would be a sign of weakness, indicating that Lieberman, the Democratic vice presidential nominee in 2000, fears that he could lose to businessman Ned Lamont. The effort also would rile Democrats who already question Lieberman's party loyalty and his perceived closeness to President Bush.

The senator has been a strong backer of the Iraq war.

Christopher Kukk, an associate political science professor at Western Connecticut State University, said it's a risk Lieberman may be willing to take as Lamont continues to make gains in the polls.

"I think he'll alienate Democratic voters, but to be honest with you, I think he already has alienated Democratic voters," Kukk said. "If Lamont is gaining ... I think you'll see Lieberman jump."

According to a recent Quinnipiac University Poll, 57 percent of registered Democrats in Connecticut said they would vote for Lieberman, compared to 32 percent for Lamont. A month ago, Lieberman drew 65 percent to Lamont's 19 percent.

The poll found that if Lieberman runs as an independent, he would win with 56 percent of the vote, compared to 18 percent for Lamont and 8 percent for Republican Alan Schlesinger. Lieberman enjoys higher ratings among Republicans and unaffiliated voters than Democrats, the poll found. Unaffiliated voters are the state's largest bloc of voters, followed by Democrats and then Republicans.

Lieberman Weighing Run As Independent

[Wino]

Lieberman and Zell Miller...............a match made in heaven.

[Ciberblade]

Not really, the independent label does not make it easy for many to vote -- and since most vote in a cattle type way....makes it quite difficult to get elected -- even if you have name recognition.

[WarC]

If he ran as an Independent I'd vote for him.

Time for everyone to take a few steps to the center!

[LANMaster]

Depends on who his opponents are.

He may only serve to draw votes away from the moderate Democrat ticket (which is smaller than I have ever seen it)
I'm sure he'll draw some Republicans too. Especially if the party nominates another perceived dork.

[iltos]

Originally Posted by LANMaster

another perceived dork.

still chuckling over this one, LAN

[WarC]

I suppose I would do it to get the third option out as much as anything else.

I think our politicians in Washington are too much like aristocrats. That much closer to royalty. We are to the point where we choose between one of two parties...Typically with multiple people in the same families in the spotlight. At least it seems so. If read the tomes correctly, third parties were a viable option once upon a time.

Past the state level the politics are like a musty old attic.

Then again I might just be a little too there right now

[LANMaster]

Originally Posted by iltos

still chuckling over this one, LAN

It's the truth. I personally think that the President is not the utterly clueless dork that he is perceived to be.


.... and I think that perception, right or wrong, has harmed the country and the office.

[angelize56]

I don't like Lieberman!

[LANMaster]

Originally Posted by angelize56

I don't like Lieberman!

Care to elaborate?

[angelize56]

Yes...but it's a shallow reason! I can't stand his voice!

Mike: I need glasses....when I saw the last person who had posted...I was trying to figure out who LANMasher was!

[Wino]

Originally Posted by angelize56

Yes...but it's a shallow reason! I can't stand his voice! ....................................

Yeah, that whiney, nasal, effeminate voice is enough to drive you up the wall. It's the voice I have assigned to mulder when I read his post. and throw in a lisp or two. It's all I can do to keep from pissing my drawers I laugh so hard.

[bassetman]

Originally Posted by Wino

Yeah, that whiney, nasal, effeminate voice is enough to drive you up the wall. It's the voice I have assigned to mulder when I read his post. and throw in a lisp or two. It's all I can do to keep from pissing my drawers I laugh so hard.

Now that is funny!

[angelize56]

Wino: Phew! Glad to see it's not just me about his voice! To be even more shallow...I don't like his looks either!

[LANMaster]

Originally Posted by angelize56

Yes...but it's a shallow reason! I can't stand his voice!

Mike: I need glasses....when I saw the last person who had posted...I was trying to figure out who LANMasher was!