A couple of interesting nuggets in the latest Quinnipiac poll out of Connecticut. First off, the numbers show little sign of improving for friend of Angelo and netleft hero Chris Dodd. He loses a hypothetical matchup against both Republicans in the race -- he trails Rob Simmons by 11 and WWE boss Linda McMahon by 2. It's almost like being a darling of the progressive left is harmful to the electoral prospects of Connecticut Democrats.
On the other hand, being an independent seems to be paying dividends for Joe Lieberman. According to Quinnipiac, Connecticut voters approve of Lieberman by a margin of 49 to 44. Lieberman has a 74 percent approval number among Republicans and 52 percent approval among independents. Democrats disapprove of Lieberman by a margin of 62-31 percent -- but hey, you can't please all the people all the time.
On the issue of health care, however, Lieberman seems to be pleasing more Connecticut voters than President Obama. "Voters say 64 - 29 percent that Democrats should not strip Lieberman of his committee chairmanship if he joins Republicans in a filibuster against the Democrats' health care reform," according to Quinnipiac. Moreover, Connecticut voters disapprove of the president's health care reform effort by a margin of 48-45.
Conclusion: Lieberman can filibuster the public option secure in the knowledge that he is representing the people of Connecticut and serving the best interests of the American people, while progressive champion Chris Dodd will need a miracle to hold on to his seat in 2010.
