NewsMax: "Lieberman Soars With GOP Support"

[Emit]

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Meanwhile, Lieberman has had more than blessings to count as donations roll in from both major Democratic donors worried about security issues — and traditional GOP supporters who like Lieberman's hawkish defense views.

Already, the national GOP has all but abandoned the GOP nominee, Schlesinger, who has managed a war chest of only tens of thousands compared to the leaders' millions.

The Hartford Courant newspaper reported over the weekend that Bush confidante Joseph Allbaugh has stroked a hefty check to the Lieberman cause, offering financial support along with Bush family friend and former Ambassador Melvin Sembler, and former assistant Republican Senate leader Don Nickles.

Republican New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has backed Lieberman and has been helping him raise funds.

Perhaps even more welcome than the cash was the personal imprimatur of Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, who has endorsed Lieberman. Last Friday, the pair appeared at the New London City Pier to ramp up support for port security. Collins, who chairs the Homeland Security Committee, told the assemblage that her declared support of her Senate colleague was the first time she has ever backed a "non-Republican." "There are certain leaders, and certain issues, that transcend partisan politics and require work across party lines, and Joe Lieberman is that leader, and homeland security is that issue," she declared. With her endorsement of Lieberman, Collins closes ranks with other prominent Republicans who have been singing the praises of the Democrat.

Vice President Dick Cheney has referred to Lieberman as "a fine U.S. senator."

Republican National Committee Chairman Ken Mehlman has contrasted Lieberman with his "retreat and defeat" fellow Democrats. Significantly, Mehlman has also refused to endorse the official Republican nominee, Schlesinger.

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Pundits suggest that Lieberman's independent run imperils both the state Democratic Party's unity and its hopes for winning the three hotly contested House seats — seats that could provide the edge for a Democratic majority in the Senate. As just reported by Bloomberg News, the Lieberman factor has divided state Democrats and left them scratching their heads about whether to drive out the voters.

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http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2006/10/22/192144.shtml?s=al&promo_code=276F-1