Rasmussen: Joe Beats Weicker

... as an independent (4.00 / 2)

The report states that "running as an Independent, Weicker attracts 37% of votes from Democrats in the state"

This seems to beg the question, how much support would Weicker get from Democrats running as a Democrat in a primary against Lieberman.

If Weicker gets 37% of Democrats as an Independent, it would see as if he ought to be able to get at least 15% of the Democrats at State Convention to vote for him and get him on a Democratic Primary ballot.  Folks associated with the Draft Lowell Weicker movement have suggested they might even be able to get him to be the parties endorsed candidate.

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by: Aldon Hynes @ Mon Dec 19, 2005 at 11:11:33 AM CST

I don't see that happening (4.00 / 2)

Weicker is a proud independent and I couldn't see him becoming a Democrat any time soon (and it would be foolish to do). He's known as a maverick and there are lots of Democrats who are still angry about the State Income Tax.

The poll doesn't take into consideration a Republican challenger which should pull at least 28-35 percent of the vote (you can see the Republican riding on Rell's populaity).

If you put a Republican into the race, it makes things VERY interesting...

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by: ctblogger @ Mon Dec 19, 2005 at 11:24:59 AM CST

to add... (4.00 / 1)

click here and look at the 2000 senate results for Connecticut. Lieberman was running for Vice Pres at this point and he gave up 35 percent of the vote to a Republican. Now it's safe to say that he is as popular among Connecticut voters as he was then and those same Republicans would vote in their own party especially with a very popular Republican governor leading the party.

Weicker should run as an independent and state his case to the voters as that's what he does best.

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by: ctblogger @ Mon Dec 19, 2005 at 11:42:15 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Primary is the way to go (4.00 / 2)

The fear with Weicker running as an independent has to be that he and Lieberman split the Democratic vote and the Republican wins the election with 35% of the vote. Talk about shooting yourself in the foot.

Instead, I'd like to see a legitimate Democrat challenge Lieberman in the primary. Ideally, it would be Blumenthal or some other state officer, but in the almost certain event that none of them will do it, draft a maverick state legislator to do it. There has got to be some Democratic state senator that could mount a credible challenge, given the right resources.

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by: Bob T @ Mon Dec 19, 2005 at 12:24:16 PM CST

I agree (4.00 / 1)

Although you'll find osme here who aren't too keen on Blumenthal.

"draft a maverick state legislator to do it. There has got to be some Democratic state senator that could mount a credible challenge, given the right resources.

Oh there is. There is. Stay tuned.

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by: BranfordBoy @ Mon Dec 19, 2005 at 13:17:21 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Good point (4.00 / 2)

This is why this particular senate race is so interesting (although I don't think there is a chance a Republican wil get more than 34 percent of the vote this time around. Every race involving a Republican in Congress is going to be extremely tight adn I just can't see a Republican ever winning the senate. Weicker or Lieberman should be able to handle any Republican challenge just based on name-recognition alone.

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by: ctblogger @ Mon Dec 19, 2005 at 13:37:12 PM CST

[ Parent ]

What happens when 50 Town committees pass resolutions (4.00 / 1)

saying they won't support Joe in 06.

  Wouldn't it be rather easy for Lowell to say  "Ct. Dems have shown me they will not remain silent like the National party and I'm registering today as a CT. Dem to show my support for those who are standing up to BOTH National Parties."

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by: ctkeith @ Mon Dec 19, 2005 at 18:10:39 PM CST

[ Parent ]

With the way things are going this may happen (0.00 / 0)

All of the committees refusing to endorse Joe, that is. More likely "most of them", but possibly all of them. There seems to be enough pressure from the grasroots to pull this off.


Drinking Liberally in New Milford
ePluribus Media

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by: Connecticut Man1 @ Mon Dec 19, 2005 at 23:11:17 PM CST

[ Parent ]