Joe Lieberman, Facing Crowded Field, MAY RESIGN

[Segami]

:applause::applause::applause::applause:


WASHINGTON -- The 2012 Senate primary contest in Connecticut is quickly becoming crowded. Two prominent House Democrats, Chris Murphy and Joe Courtney, are eyeing a bid, with Joe Lieberman's future uncertain. Susan Bysiewicz, a thrice-elected former secretary of state, is also jumping into the race.


Lieberman, who lost a 2006 primary to netroots insurgent Ned Lamont, will announce on Wednesday whether he will run as an independent, a Democrat or a Republican. Those close to him are unusually tight-lipped about his plans, leading to speculation among Connecticut operatives that he had seen the same polling data they had and would be dropping out.


"Senator Lieberman made a decision about his future over the holidays which he plans to announce on Wednesday," a Lieberman spokesman said. In 2006, Lieberman ran under a party he created called Connecticut for Lieberman. Anti-Lieberman activists, however, have since taken it over.


As Lieberman deliberated on Tuesday, the new chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), told HuffPost that the party would consider supporting Lieberman if he returned to the fold.


"This is first a Connecticut decision. It's a Joe Lieberman decision and we'll work our way through all of that," Murray said. "He and I have chatted a number of times."


Lieberman serves as a repository for the anger progressive Democrats have for centrists in -- and out of -- the party, and some would like little more than to unseat him at the polls. The feeling of ill will is mutual: Lieberman said during the health care debate that one reason he opposed a Medicare buy-in compromise was that progressives were embracing it.


Lieberman's participation in the race would draw national attention -- and money -- to the Connecticut race, leaving his political adversaries hoping that he decides to run.



cont'


<http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/18/joe-lieberman-may-resign_n_810538.html>




update:

<http://ht.ly/3G0fv>

A well-sourced Connecticut blogger is reporting that Lieberman will announce his departure.

[hlthe2b]

1. Resign or just not run for reelection?

[Enrique]

2. time to cash in?

he's got a big paycheck coming from Aetna and his other constituents.

[gratuitous]

3. No, I want Connecticut to hand him his walking papers

But it wouldn't surprise me if Droopy Joe bows out. He's grabbed about all he can grab and the window is closing fast. Here's hoping Connecticut can get a new Senator who will more appropriately carry out the wishes of the electorate. Confidential to Mr. Lieberman: Don't go looking for your name on any public works project any time soon.

[TlalocW]

13. I want him to stay in and lose

That SOB needs to have the end of his political career come from the voice of the people and know til his dying day that he was rejected. Not running for re-election just gives too many outs that he can spin into something positive about himself.

TlalocW

[Stevenmarc]

4. So many boards, so little time.

[Freddie Stubbs]

5. HuffPo could use better editors to write their headlines

The article makes no mention of resignation.

[hlthe2b]

11. Exactly.. nor do the blogs referenced. Idiots.

[Blue Owl]

6. See ya, Nomentum

n/t

[yellowcanine]

7. Hopefully when I hear his decision I will be somewhere where it won't matter if I whoop out loud.

Wouldn't want to be unprofessional.

[Lurks Often]

8. Likely he won't run for re-election

I think he is smart enough to know he won't get re-elected. He got re-elected last time due a LOT of Republicans voting for him, something unlikely to happen in 2012. He got the Republican vote then because the they did not make much of an attempt to defeat him. The Republicans will make a very serious attempt this time around.

Chris Murphy or Joe Courtney could both run strong campaigns against a Republican. I happen to think that the fall out from the Attorney General's race and some conflicting statements regarding the voting in Bridgeport (among other things) have permanently damaged Susan Bysiewicz's political career. (Yes I live in CT)

[FSogol]

9. Make it so. n/t

[eridani]

10. So, Nuttmeggers--who do you think would be the best replacement? n/t

[tularetom]

12. Door, do not meet ass

[True_Blue]

14. Disagree

Door please hit ass hard.

[delightfulstar]

15. Anyone else wanna bet...

That he ends up on Faux as an analyst, or gets a talk show? He's a Rethug sympathizer, so it wouldn't surprise me a bit.