New Haven Independent

Today’s Big Winner?

by Paul Bass | January 6, 2010 10:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (9)

(Updated) In one seasoned political observer’s analysis, a big winner in Wednesday’s Connecticut political earthquake is that none other than … Joe Lieberman.

The news Wednesday was that five-term Democratic U.S. Sen. Chris Dodd has given up on trying to get reelected. Popular Democratic Attorney General Dick Blumenthal leaped right into the race to replace him.

Which means that … U.S. Sen. Lieberman can breathe more easily.

That’s the take of New Haven Mayor John DeStefano.

“You can argue,” DeStefano said Wednesday, “that Joe Lieberman’s strongest opponent in 2012 has been taken off the table.”

Lieberman’s popularity among his former base back home continued to decline this year as he almost singlehandedly prevented Democrats in the Senate from passing a “public option” health care plan or an expansion of Medicare. Blumenthal — who has a stratospheric 78 percent approval rating in Connecticut, and only a 13 percent disapproval — made it clear that he planned to challenge Lieberman in 2012. Unless something else came up first.

Something else came up. Wednesday. Dodd, whose term expires this year, decided to ditch a reelection campaign. And Blumenthal, a senator in waiting for practically two decades, jumped right in.

And Joe Lieberman, whose political obituary has been written several times before, may have emerged one more day in a stronger than expected position.

Another leading state Democrat, Tom Swan, disagreed with DeStefano. Swan recruited Ned Lamont to run against (and defeat) Lieberman in a 2006 primary, before losing to Lieberman in the general election. Swan said he anticipates a 2012 challenge to Lieberman from a different elected official, Democratic U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy.

Chris Murphy is pound for pound the best politician in Connecticut, in the best sense of the word. and he would destroy Joe in 2012,” Swan said Wednesday. “I think Joe will realize this and retire before the race.”

Lieberman, meanwhile, issued a statement saying he’s “sad for our state and country” that Dodd is stepping down.

“Senator Chris Dodd will leave the Senate in January 2011 with the knowledge that he
has made a difference that will last in the lives of his constituents and his country. For that, we are all grateful,” Lieberman said.

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Posted by: cedarhillresident | January 6, 2010 11:10 AM

blah blah

Posted by: AndersonScooper | January 6, 2010 11:12 AM

I somewhat disagree. Today's news makes it much more likely that McMahon pulls out of the 2010 race, and saves her powder/$$$ for 2012. Which would not be good for Joe.

Look, Lieberman can only win in 2012 with the same kind of Republican support that he enjoyed in 2006. If a strong Republican candidate steps up, Joe's career is probably over, particularly in a Presidential cycle.

And Rep. Chris Murphy-D reamins a formidable challenger in 2012. Just so people are aware, in 2006 at the age of 33, Chris beat a 24yr Republican incumbent, Nancy Johnson, by a resounding 12% margin.

Posted by: walt bradley | January 6, 2010 11:37 AM

Every time i see Liberman's face i'm reminded of how easily duped and ignorant my fellow CT residents can be. I'm still bitter and disgusted.
Just saying.....

Posted by: Sean | January 6, 2010 1:01 PM

Couldn't disagree more. If anything, Senator Dodd's retirement in the face of poor poll numbers, even when faced with very mediocre opponents, means that Lieberman will face intense pressure to retire himself in 2012. Though Dodd is unpopular, Lieberman is truly hated.

While Blumenthal might have been Lieberman's strongest opponent, there are many more who could clean Lieberman's clock. You should have pointed out that in four succeeding polls beginning in early 2007 conducted by Research 2000, Ned Lamont showed he would win in a rematch over Lieberman. In the latest of those polls, Lamont's margin of victory was 17 percentage points. Lamont also demonstrated his statewide popularity by debuting within three percentage points of frontrunner Susan Bysiewicz just three days after his announcement.

Your suggestion that Lieberman is largely off the hook now is wishful thinking. If Lamont doesn't run then, there is the increasingly popular congressman Chris Murphy. There is former Stamford mayor Dannel Malloy, who might run for attorney general before taking on Lieberman.

Lieberman is deeply hated. He's toast in 2012. Surprised you can't see that.

Posted by: cedarhillresident | January 6, 2010 1:36 PM

I just don't know how the heck he keeps sliding through...he had to of made a deal with satan, there is no other explanation.

Posted by: Chris | January 6, 2010 3:27 PM

Well, after the disgraceful performance, I hope someone jumps in, or I'll vote for ANYONE else.

Lieberman can't make up his mind, he says hes a democrat, but he screws them and helps the republicans. When I vote, I want to know what party I'm voting for.

Lieberman is in the pockets of big business.

Posted by: nfjanette | January 6, 2010 3:50 PM

Lieberman is in the pockets of big business.

As opposed to which other elected members of Congress (directly or indirectly over time)?

Posted by: capitol insider | January 6, 2010 5:00 PM

Joe will never be elected for anything in CT again. Chris Murphy will take his seat in 2012 by primary or general election with "free agent whateverf works for me" Joe.

Posted by: abg | January 6, 2010 5:35 PM

Lieberman's going to retire. If he doesn't Chris Dodd should run against him in 2012. Dodd won't say anything nasty about Joementum until November, but after that all bets are off. Dodd will be free to unload on Joe every time he obstructs an important piece of legislation. Can I mention that my favorite factoid ever about Joementum is that he once wrote a recommendation for Glenn Beck?

Today’s Big Winner?

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