Paul Newman may run against Lieberman.

[SarahB]

More power to him I say. Check this out:

State Democratic Party officials say that despite a great deal of Internet "chatter" that the renowned actor and philanthropist Paul Newman is considering a 2006 primary bid against U.S. Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman, they don't expect the 80-year-old Westport resident to actually make the run.

Several party sachems, however, say they wouldn't be surprised to see another prominent liberal challenge Lieberman, who's widely considered one of the more conservative Democrats in the nation.

Although Lieberman has enjoyed an overwhelming popularity in state polls, they say, a challenger could easily capitalize on increasingly widespread dissatisfaction among liberal party activists smarting from the Democrats' disastrous showing in last year's election.

They also say a challenger could easily find himself, like 2004 presidential candidate Howard Dean, bankrolled by thousands of small contributions generated through the World Wide Web.

snip

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=13941288&BRD=985&PAG=461&dept_id=161556&rfi=8

[aden_nak]

1. He's an embarrassment. I've always thought so.

He is the very essence of what makes the Democratic Party weak. It's not just that he's "conservative" on a number of key issues (censorship, foreign policy), it's that he always backs down on any issue that he is NOT conservative on. He is weakness. He is part of the quiet poison that saps the left of its strength. Not truly killing it, but leaving it in no condition to face the onslaught from the right. And he needs to go.

[pacalo]

3. I can't stand Lieberman, either. Grrr!

[pacalo]

2. That's one man I'd trust. He's one of the most giving, unselfish

human beings. On the latest Zogby internet poll, he was the one I chose to run for political office from a list of celebrities.

[Rainbowreflect]

5. Me too! I just completed that poll today.

[ktowntennesseedem]

4. Love his Sockarooni Spaghetti Sauce!!!

[fooj]

6. He sure as hell doesn't roll over! That's for sure!

[President Jesus]

7. Paul Newman's political donation history

amazing list: http://www.newsmeat.com/celebrity_political_donations/Paul_Newman.php

as for Joe, he's not my favorite. But ousting Lieberman is so far down on my list, in fact, it is 16th, after these humps:

Rick Santorum
Bill Frist
Orrin Hatch
Trent Lott
George Allen
Kay Bailey Hutchison
Mike Dewine
Jim Talent
Conrad Burns
Jon Kyl
John Ensign
Craig Thomas
Richard Lugar
Olympia Snowe
Lincoln Chafee

[ProgressiveConn]

10. I don't think you'll unseat Chafee or Snowe via election.

I think our best bet is to win the presidency and then make them cabinet members in areas that they cant do to much damage. Oddly enough I trust Snowe and Chafee more than I do Lieberman. I don't think I'd have any problem with Snow as Homeland Security Chief. Honestly if we win in 2008 I would want the same thing done with Liebs. Put him in the Environmental cabinet position to keep him from doing anything else =).

[President Jesus]

14. you may trust them more, but that is irrelevant as long as the GOP has

the majority. The majority controls EVERY committee, and thus every bill that reaches the floor. Oh yeah, and don't forget about judicial appointments, especially SCOTUS.

We would be a million times better off with regaining the majority in the Senate and keeping Lieberman than 'taking a stand' and dumping Joe just to remain in the minority.

I love Newman, but an 80-something-year-old is not going to win a Senate seat.

The only way we have a shot at that is to remain focussed on the real opponent, not the ones on our side that we don't completely like.

Once the Dems hold a solid majprity, then we can start discussing whom to canabalize.

[ProgressiveConn]

15. No.

I can't do anything about the Neo-Cons from elsewhere. But I can do something about the Neo-Cons in Connecticut.

At the very least Mr. Lieberman will know there are consequences for him turning his back on us.

[JerseygirlCT]

12. Based on his recent behavior, I'd rather unseat

Lieberman (with a Democrat, that is) than Chafee. Chafee's a Republican, but a liberal. Lieberman does more harm, I think.

[NewJeffCT]

17. I would rather focus on ousting Rell & Simmons

Rob Simmons is vulnerable - very vulnerable. He barely beat underfunded Jim Sullivan last time around and Simmons had negative ads running 'round the clock practically the last few weeks before the election.

Jodi Rell's still too popular for my taste. I'd love to see her get hit more for proposing the $180 million estate tax rollback while we have a $1 billion plus deficit. The Courant is still too busy kissing her butt.

[Ian David]

8. In recent months, I've become glad Lieberman isn't Vice President

I have been absolutely disgusted with him.

I'd vote for any Democrat (except Zell Miller) who was running against Lieberman.

I'm tired of seeing his ugly Mr. Drummond-looking face on my TV, too.

[ProgressiveConn]

9. I like Newman's donation record and charitable causes.

I'd like to know how he feels about a wide range of things from abortion to tax systems. I'm personally willing to work for anyone who's views are better than Liebs.

[SarahB]

11. Me too!

Someone really public like Newman who continually puts his money where his mouth is is perfect. Given that he's been famous for 50 years already, you can't buy publicity like that. It'll be a national thing. Lieberman doesn't represent my interests as a CT Democrat, the CT Democratic party has been (pardon me) utter wusses (*ahem Curry!) and some changes need to occur. At least make Joe-mentum have a damned fight this time.

[ProgressiveConn]

13. Yep!

First I think that Newman could do very well. When you combine young and progressive voters with older voters who will be instantly drawn to Newman's name it makes a real interesting primary. Though even if he challenges Liebs and loses he will still make Liebs realize that he better not forget about the progressive vote.

[NewJeffCT]

16. There is nothing in the article that indicates Newman is running?

Or even thinking of running.

Are there any other high profile progressive celebrities in the state that could challenge Lieberman? Do Tim Robbins & Susan Sarandon live in CT? Mia Farrow?

As much as I like John Larson, I don't see him running. I don't think DeLauro would either. The only other person I could think of that would have a high enough profile to challenge Lieberman would be Toby Moffett... but, Moffett's been low profile the last few years.

Also - The Journal Inquirer is a staunch RW newspaper.

[SarahB]

18. Yeah, it was just a rumor.

Some kind of talk apparently. :shrug:
I don't subscribe to any papers in CT anymore for this very fact. In this area anyway, the JI is right leaning and well, The Courant endorsed Bush. For a blue state, it's all a bit maddening. The Hartford Advocate has some good stuff, but I believe they're under by the same company that owns The Courant. Basically, it would just be good to have a bit of dust stirred up amongst the Democratic party in this state by whatever means necessary. That's why I passed this along.

[Throckmorton]

19. I want Tom Devivo from Willimantic to run

Selectman from Willimantic, Business owner, father, and good Democrat