The Independent Candidate

In his nationally televised concession speech after his loss Ned Lamont this week, Joe Lieberman announced his intention to run as an independent and appealed for support and campaign contributions. A new Zogby Interactive poll shows he shouldn't waste too much time waiting by the mailbox.


An overwhelming 79% of Democrats nationwide said they are glad that the three-term senator was defeated by Lamont's powerful anti-Iraq war campaign. They also said Lamont's victory over one of the few pro-war Democrats in Washington makes them optimistic they can win control of at least one of the two houses of Congress in November.

The survey also highlighted what Democrats across the country said they want to hear from their candidates. . .a resolute opposition to the war. 78% of Democrats said they want candidates who oppose the conflict while just 6% said they think their Democratic candidates should support the war. Another 13% said they want their candidates to take a middling stance somewhere between support and opposition.

While Republicans may have used the war for political success in 2002 and 2004, Democrats are ready for their turn at the plate this November, and the defeat of Lieberman is the first step. . . 62% said they believe the Connecticut primary results will hold national implications for the fall elections.A full 70% said they think the Lamont victory makes the Democratic Party stronger heading into the important election season.

Until this week, Democrats had mostly failed to define themselves in this midterm election, but the Lamont victory may be a turning point for them. Their collective voice is now loud and clear.

Opposition to the war is creating a unity in the Democratic Party, and the Lamont candidacy both fed off and grew that unity. Lieberman also helped unify the Democrats . . . an overwhelming majority (71%) said they were unhappy with his decision to run as an independent in the November general election.

Which means there aren't many Democrats left to write support letters to Joe, let alone checks.