Connecticut DUers, why is Lie(ber)man so popular in your state?

[ButterflyBlood]

Connecticut is a pretty liberal state and it seems like the people would want more than a Bush syncophant, but it appears that Lie(ber)man is untouchable in both the primaries and general and has an overwhelming lead in the nomination polls now.

[buddhamama]

1. CT is fiscally conservative

socially liberal(for the most part).
that's where Lieberman fits in.

[goforit]

2. LOL!!!

I used to live in the same town he is from, Stamford, Ct.

To let you no what Stamford is like, well there is
a stong demographic of Italians and Orthodox Judaism.

There is a very strong Jewish (orthodox)majority.

So I think they think he is the next messiah.

[opiate69]

3. Small world.

My grandparents live in Stamford... lots of good memories from Willard Terrace.

[RichM]

4. CT is home to big Wall St players & the insurance industry. Joe is "nice"

to these people. You remember how he helped fight for corruption in how the accounting for stock options was handled on corporate earnings statements? Joe knows how to do favors for the people who count!

[SharonAnn]

9. And don't forget accounting and consulting firms like

Andersen. he's pretty close to those firms.

[jburton]

5. Hartford

Is a huge HQ for insurance companies. Joe knows how to "dance with them that brung him"

[liberalhistorian]

6. I'm sure glad Holy Joe

ain't one of my senators!

[Larkspur]

7. Lieberman doesn't get competition in the Dem primaries

because until last year when the courts tossed out the old system, an up-and-coming Dem had to get like 15% of elected Dems to sign a petition to get on the ballot against an incumbant Dem. The system was designed to keep incumbants in power, whether or not they deserved to maintain that power.

I think that it will take a couple election cycles for potential quality candidates interested in running in the Dem primary to give it a shot. Still ousting an incumbant who has lots of cash is very difficult.

In 1988, Lieberman ousted Weicker, a moderate Republican, and he did so by veering right of Weicker. Yes, Joe is beholden to the insurance companies, but so is the state of Connecticut. Hartford was the insurance capital of the nation, but I think that it lost that title a few years ago.

[mndemocrat_29]

8. Do you think that Rep. Rosa DeLauro will run against Lieberman?

I like her a lot and I would like her to run for the Senate someday.

[ButterflyBlood]

12. I doubt it

since she has little chance.

I just hope Lie(ber)man retires when realizes he'll never be in the White House and she can pick up his seat.

[AngryWhiteLiberal]

10. It's called...DRUG & INSURANCE MONEY

Lieberman is only beholding to those Repuke fat cats at Pfizer, Bayer, and the various insurance conglomerates in Hartford. He's a Repuke in disguise.

Trust me, there are plenty CT residents that can't stand his sorry ass.

JB

[romantico]

11. I live in Simsbury CT

& Joe is like a God! I think its a pretty wealthy state & Joe sounds like a Republican.My Mom LOVES him & she's a life long conservative!She says she'll vote for Joe if he wins nomination.I admit, I liked Joe alot more 3 years ago!

[ButterflyBlood]

13. He lost me

with the video games nonsense

[Larkspur]

14. In Northeastern CT, Joe is tolerated at best

No CT Dem will challenge Joe in 2006. They will wait for him to retire or get beat by a Repuke. I could see Gov. Rowland challenging Lieberman for the senate seat in 2006, and that could be an interesting contest. Rowland is hated now in CT but Lieberman's stance on the war is not popular.