The latest poll has Lieberman leading by 11 points, due to strong support from unaffiliated voters and even Republicans. Although it appears a number of Democrats have shifted support, as was to be expected, Lamont is still trailing badly.
The Quinnipiac University poll has Lieberman leading Lamont among registered voters 49 percent to 38 percent. Republican Alan Schlesinger gets support from 4 percent. Among likely voters, Lieberman was supported by 53 percent, compared to Lamont's 41 percent and Schlesinger's 4 percent.
Lieberman, a nationally known centrist who has been criticized by many Democrats for supporting the war in Iraq and a perceived closeness to President Bush, lost the Aug. 8 Democratic primary by 10,000 votes. Political pundits say the primary was evidence of voters' frustration with the war and predict it could have national political ramifications.
Lieberman's advantage in the general election comes from broad support among unaffiliated and Republican voters. Fifty-three percent of likely voters polled said he deserves to be re-elected, and nearly half doubted that Lamont, a political novice who founded a company that wires college campuses for cable television, has enough experience to be senator.
"Senator Lieberman's support among Republicans is nothing short of amazing. It more than offsets what he has lost among Democrats," poll director Douglas Schwartz said. "As long as Lieberman maintains this kind of support among Republicans, while holding a significant number of Democratic votes, the veteran senator will be hard to beat."
Lamont, however, is improving since a July 20 Quinnipiac poll. In that survey of registered voters, he trailed Lieberman 51 percent to 27 percent with Schlesinger getting 9 percent. The latest poll quizzed both registered voters and voters likely to cast ballots; the July 20 poll only questioned registered voters.
This really is shaping up to be the worst bit of strategic thinking pulled off in recent memory. I have maintained that this was a foolish fight to pick at an astonishingly bad moment to try it. In an Opinion Journal piece yesterday, Lamont came across as very sincere and very naive. I don't think that bodes really well for the man's candidacy.
By every available metric, the "stay the course" strategy in Iraq is not a winning strategy. Changing course is neither extreme nor weak; it is essential for our national security.
We start with the strongest, best-trained military in the world, and we'll keep it that way. But here's how we'll get stronger by changing course. We must work closely with our allies and treat the rest of the world with respect. We must implement the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission and put in place real protections for ports, airports, nuclear facilities and public transit.
All platitudes and talking points – people don't respond well to that at all.
> Lamont is still trailing badly
49% to 38% is trailing badly, eh? Considering on July 20th it was 51% to 27%, it seems more reasonable to say “gaining ground quickly.” I like how Republicans are abandoning their own candidate to support Lieberman…a Democrat! So much for party loyalty. Didn’t you rip on Democrats for not standing behind Lieberman? I guess it’s OK for Republicans to abandon their candidates, but Democrats have to stay loyal.
> Lamont came across as very sincere and very naive.
> I don’t think that bodes really well for the man’s candidacy.
Just like Newt and his buddies and their contract with America, right? I think Democrats were saying the same thing back then.
11% is a very large lead, we’ll see.
Gaius, I thought you didn’t trust polls.
Lieberman, friend of Louis Farrakhan?
http://www.mediaresearch.org/realitycheck/2000/20001005.asp
“On September 27, eight days ago, the first press reports revealed that Democratic vice presidential nominee Joe Lieberman said he would be willing to meet with Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, who has called Judaism, Lieberman’s faith, a ‘gutter religion.’
“In an interview with April Ryan of the American Urban Radio Networks, Lieberman said, ‘Look, Minister Farrakhan said a few things earlier in the campaign that were just not informed. But I have respect for him, and I have respect for the Muslim community generally.’”
This is from the Media Research Center, a conservative media watch group, from a report during the 2000 Presidential campaign.
> 11% is a very large lead, we’ll see.
How about 2%?
American Research Group poll from 8/22 polling likely voters:
Lieberman 44%
Lamont 42%
Schlesigner 3%.