TPM: Lieberman Opposes Public Option Despite Strong Support in Connecticut

[flpoljunkie]

Lieberman Opposes Public Option Despite Strong Support in Connecticut

Brian Beutler
September 15, 2009

Seems like only yesterday, Democratic leaders were telling supporters they supported Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-CT) because "he's with us on everything but the war in Iraq."

That maxim doesn't actually extend to health care, though. Lieberman has come out against a number of aspects of the Democrats' health care reform proposal, including the public option...despite strong support for the measure in Connecticut.

A new Research 2000 poll commissioned by Daily Kos finds that 68 percent of likely voters in Connecticut support a public option, while only 21 percent oppose.

Things get a bit more interesting, though, when you look at the internals.

Among Democrats, for the public option wins out wins out an astonishing 83-8 margin of support. And among independents, it's an almost as impressive 73-15. Only among Republicans does opposition outpace support, 33-55.

So Lieberman's advocating against the wishes of almost all Democrats and independents and about a third of all Republicans. Maybe that helps explains why, if the 2012 elections were held this year, he'd be in terrible shape.

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/09/lieberman-opposes-public-option-despite-strong-support-in-connecticut.php

(Lieberman is in fact trailing in the latest poll.)

A new DailyKos/Research 2000 poll in Connecticut looks ahead to the 2012 U.S. Senate race and finds Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) losing badly in a three-way race.

In one match up, Gov. Jodi Rell (R) leads with 46% with Ned Lamont (D) and Lieberman tied at 26%. In another, Rell leads with 40%, followed by Richard Blumenthal (D) at 32% and Lieberman at 23%.

While 47% have a favorable opinion of Lieberman, 50% do not.

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2009/09/15/lieberman_faces_tough_re-election_fight_in_2012.html

[liberal N proud]

1. He is bought and paid for with lobby money

[Bluzmann57]

2. "Lieberman opposes public option..."

To the surprise of absolutely no one.

[HCE SuiGeneris]

3. I despise that ass-clown with intensity.

Another Joe in gummint that is useless as tits on a bull.

[comtec]

20. I find that offensive...

to both tits and bulls =3

joe is far less useful!

[Jakes Progress]

4. So when did he ever give a shit about his constituents? If

they put him in office again, they deserve him.

[Drunken Irishman]

5. Well looks like Lieberman is done. Too bad he'll take D votes from either Lamont or Blumenthal.

And deliver that seat to a Republican. x(

[Laelth]

6. I can not forgive Senate Democrats for supporting this worm.

The Party should have supported Ned Lamont, and Lieberman should have been stripped of all seniority in the Senate for switching parties.

Sadly, that's not what happened.

:dem:

-Laelth

[jonnyblitz]

21. Obama was one of his staunchist supporters from day one.

and then the asshole turns around and supports McCain.

[Laelth]

24. I know. That one made me scratch my head and wonder, "What is he thinking?" n/t

:dem:

-Laelth

[LyndaG]

7. Isn't Hartford the insurance capital of the world?

Not surprised about Joe. Thank God Chris Dodd isn't an insurance company shill and sell-out like Lieberman.

[Cha]

8. Does lieman ever do anything for the people of Connecticut?

Two way street?

[sentelle]

9. What do you expect from him???

From wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hadassah_Lieberman (Lieberman's wife)....

Hadassah has also worked for the lobbying company, APCO Associates, that had many pharmaceutical and healthcare corporations among its clients, as well as four major drug companies such as Pfizer. In March 2005, Hadassah was hired by Hill & Knowlton as "senior counselor" in the firm's "health care and pharmaceuticals practice." Hadassah's close relationship with pharmaceutical and healthcare corporations while her husband introduced legislation benefiting these exact companies has raised questions about improprieties and conflict of interest.

Would it be enough for him to declare he has a conflict of interest and abstain? Somehow I doubt unholy Joe would do such a thing.

[Arugula Latte]

10. Come on, CT. Kick Droopy Dawg's pasty, wrinkly ass out of the Senate.

(But don't elect a Republican in his place!)

[TheKentuckian]

11. Why do that hate Dodd so much but tolerate Lieberman again? (nt)

Some blame him for the crash? Too liberal? Too Partisan?

[Blasphemer]

12. Lieberman is such a cancer

He doesn't care about his constituents and his actions could well lead to a Republican having his seat.

[Ikonoklast]

13. Holy Joe takes wife's side over entire state population of Conneticut.

Doesn't surprise me any.

Hey, Union members in CT, Joe just took a dump all over you!

Gonna support that weasel in the next election?

[Vidar]

14. Well that's a big surprise!

[tavalon]

15. He didn't call his new party Lieberman for Connecticut

He called it Connecticut for Lieberman. Rather telling, actually.

[IndianaGreen]

16. Lieberman is Israel's best friend in the Senate

That's what the Israel Lobby said about Holy Joe in 2004, just before they poured money and volunteers to get Lieberman reelected.

[eppur_se_muova]

17. Well, f*** the voters, what do they know about what they want? nt

[davidpdx]

18. That shouldn't surprise us

Maybe Connecticut will wake up in 2012 and vote the bastard out of office.

[Czar One]

19. Lieberman should be kicked out of the Caucus!

And, while they're at it, include DINO Baucus and Kent Conrad!

[Apollo11]

22. This should be in the "General Discussion: Traitors" Forum

[Vinca]

23. Joe only cares about Joe's best interest.

If big insurance is going to send him a bucket load of cash, he's going to sell out his constituents. What a shame Ned Lamont didn't win that election.