I see that Joe Lieberman's organization believes that his challenger, Ned Lamont, will gather enough support to force a primary.
After 18 years with virtually no challenge from inside his party, Lieberman will likely face a primary race in August, according to staffers.
Although Lamont could force a primary by collecting nearly 15,000 signatures of registered Democrats, he also could accomplish the same thing by garnering at least 15 percent of the votes cast by 1,607 delegates attending Saturday's nominating convention.
Lamont's people are working to get on the ballot either by getting enough delegates or by getting enough signatures on petitions. So it looks like, either way, it will come to a primary. Lieberman will now have to campaign just to save his parties nomination, instead of helping other Democrats in other races.
Salemi believes Lieberman will prevail, but he said a primary would squander the party's resources when the most important race should be the one to unseat Gov. M. Jodi Rell.
"I don't know how this primary helps us do that," Salemi said, adding that if Lieberman didn't face a primary, he could do more to help other Democrats win against Republicans.
"To try to beat an incumbent like Jodi Rell or (Republican Rep. Rob) Simmons, you have to put all of your strengths on the table," Salemi said.
Lieberman is expected to do well among delegates from cities such as Hartford and Stamford, but Lamont has an edge in smaller municipalities, especially in eastern towns, such as Coventry, where five out of six delegates support him.
So, a wedge has been driven. One that will spend a lot of effort and money in internecine infighting.
