Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman was endorsed by the Connecticut AFL-CIO in the Democrat's primary fight against Greenwich millionaire businessman and anti-war candidate Ned Lamont.
According to the New York Times, Lieberman endorsement was not unanimous:
Several delegates noted that Senator Lieberman had an 84 percent score from the federation for his votes on labor issues. Many also complained that he had long supported free trade agreements that cost manufacturing jobs.
Others poked at Mr. Lamont, whom the senator has characterized as a wealthy opportunist trying to buy the election.
"Mr. Lamont owns a communications company," Howard Coling, vice president of Local 1298 of the Communications Workers of America in Seymour, Conn. "And it's nonunion." That prompted sustained hoots of disapproval across the room.
The AFL-CIO joins numerous other union supporting Lieberman. The labor support is important for the August 8 primary. The Connecticut AFL-CIO represents approximately 200-thousand Connecticut residents, mostly democrats who actively participate in politics. The Unions can provide needed resources, such as phone banks and campaign workers to make critical direct personal contact.
Recent polling shows the race much closer than originally thought. A Quinnipiac University Poll conducted May 31 through June 6, found Lamont has gained ground and now trails the Lieberman by 15 percent (55 - 40) percent among likely Democratic primary voters. Among all Democrats, Lieberman's lead has fallen to 57 - 32 percent. In polling conducted just a month earlier Quinnipiac found Lieberman leading by 46 percent (65 - 19).
According to Quinnipiac's most recent polling:
Lieberman defeats Republican candidate Alan Schlesinger 68 - 14 percent;
Lamont beats Schlesinger 37 - 20 percent, with 34 percent undecided;
Running as an independent, Lieberman gets 56 percent, to 18 percent for Lamont and 8 percent for Schlesinger.
Among those who do not want Lieberman reelected, 20 percent identify his support for the war in Iraq as the main reason. Most Connecticut voters know Lieberman supports the war in Iraq, but only 15 percent would vote against a candidate based solely on his position on the war.
So the question remains, will enough Lieberman supporters vote in the primary or will the anti-war "Joe must go" activists carry the day for Lamont?
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