http://www.journalinquirer.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17017171&BRD=985&PAG=461&dept_id=161556&rfi=6Greenwich businessman Ned Lamont holds a 10-point lead over U.S. Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman in the Democratic primary, a Journal Inquirer poll released Friday shows.
The survey, co-sponsored by The Day of New London and conducted by Research 2000 of Rockville, Md., also found that nearly two-thirds of Democrats don't want Lieber man to wage an independent campaign should he lose the primary Tuesday. More than half those polled further said Lieberman's support of President Bush's Iraq war policy makes them less likely to vote for him, and a plurality labeled the war as the most important issue. Research 2000 surveyed Connecticut Democrats by telephone Aug 1 to 3, polling 600 deemed "likely" primary voters after a series of screening questions.
The JI poll found that 53 percent of Democrats favor Lamont, compared with 43 per cent for Lieberman and 4 percent undecided. It also found views mixed on Lieberman, with 39 percent of respondents viewing him favorably, 36 percent unfavorably, and 25 percent having no opinion. For Lamont, 45 percent view him favorably, 17 percent unfavorably, and 38 percent have no opinion.
"Several months ago no one knew who Ned was, and he has gone flat-out across the state introducing himself to people," Lamont spokeswoman Liz Dupont-Diehl said Friday. "No matter where you live in Connecticut, you've probably picked up the paper and read that Ned was going to be appearing in your town or the one next door."