Lamont increases lead over Lieberman

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http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/08/...thu/index.html

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Embattled Sen. Joe Lieberman is trailing businessman Ned Lamont by double digits in the race for the Connecticut Democratic Senate nomination, a new poll released this morning shows.

The Quinnipiac University poll gives Lamont a 54 percent to 41 percent lead among likely Democratic primary voters and is the latest indication that the three-term incumbent is in serious danger of losing the Democratic primary next Tuesday. A poll released by the university on July 20 indicated that Lamont held a 51 percent to 47 percent advantage over Lieberman.

"Sen. Lieberman's campaign bus seems to be stuck in reverse," Quinnipiac University Polling Director Douglas Schwartz said in statement accompanying the poll's release. "Despite visits from former President Bill Clinton and other big name Democrats, Lieberman has not been able to stem the tide to Lamont."

But Schwartz added that with five days remaining, Lieberman still has time to turn things around.

What was once considered an easy re-election for Lieberman has turned into his toughest campaign since he defeated incumbent Sen. Lowell Weicker (R) in 1988. This year, Lamont has built his challenge against Lieberman on the Senator's support for the Iraq war. Lamont has been aided in his bid to defeat Lieberman by the Democratic "net roots," an increasingly influential liberal wing of the Democratic Party that interacts over the Internet.

While both camps took note of today's poll, spokeswomen for each candidate said they are focused on Tuesday.

"The only vote that counts, is the one on August 8," Liz Dupont-Diehl, Lamont's spokeswoman, said in an interview with the Grind. "We do hope this energizes our base and shows them this is possible."

Marion Steinfels, Lieberman's spokeswoman, said despite this latest poll, Tuesday's outcome is still up in the air.

"This race is very fluid and when it comes down to it, no one can predict what is going to happen next Tuesday," Steinfels told the Grind. "That's why we are working night and day and fighting our hearts out to make sure that Joe Lieberman wins on Primary Day."

Even if he doesn't win the primary, Lieberman has vowed to soldier on into the November general election -- running an independent campaign for re-election. But should Lieberman lose, it is unclear how much support he would receive from Democratic Party leaders or even his colleagues. Already, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-New York) has said she would support the winner of the August 8 primary. For now, Sen. Clinton has publicly endorsed Lieberman in the primary and her husband, former President Bill Clinton recently campaigned on his behalf. Others such as Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wisconsin) and former Vice President Al Gore -- who chose Lieberman as his running mate in the 2000 presidential contest -- have refused to back Lieberman in the primary.

As of now, it looks like Lieberman would win re-election in a three way general election contest if he launched an independent bid. Former Derby Mayor Alan Schlesinger is running for the GOP Senate nomination, although there is a move by some party leaders to recruit a stronger Republican challenger into the race.


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