CT-Sen: Blumenthal Crushes Lieberman in Early Polling; Dodd Weakening

Check it. Quinnipiac (2/5-8, registered voters):

Richard Blumenthal (D): 58

Joe Lieberman (I-Inc.): 30

(MoE: ±2.5%)

No need to adjust your TV sets — these are general election numbers, not some fantasy scenario where Lieberman tries to win the Democratic primary nomination again. Indeed, he would be foolish to even try, especially if state AG Dick Blumenthal gets into the race. Here’s an eye-popping number for you: among Democrats, Blumenthal steamrolls Lieberman by a devastating 83-9 margin! Of course, Lieberman has four years to try to repair his douche-stained reputation, and who knows if Blumenthal will really pull the trigger. However, with numbers like these, Blumenthal has every reason to finally throw down; this race may be his last real opportunity to wage a Senate campaign.

Meanwhile, Connecticut’s other Senator, Chris Dodd, continues his downward spiral:

A total of 42 percent of voters say they “definitely” or “probably” will vote to reelect Sen. Dodd in 2010, while 51 percent say the “probably won’t” or “definitely won’t” vote for him.

By a 54 – 24 percent margin, Connecticut voters say they are not satisfied with Sen. Dodd’s explanation of allegations that he received preferential mortgage treatment and 56 percent of voters say they are less likely to vote for him because of this controversy.

And that’s not all: Dodd’s approval has entered net negative territory for the first time in recent Quinnipiac polling history, with 48% of voters disapproving of his job performance to 41% who still give Dodd their approval.

If John Cornyn is successful in luring Rob Simmons or even a cash-flush self-funder into this race, it’ll be a significant accomplishment for the NRSC. At the very least, attacking this pressure point will force Democrats to reallocate resources to a defensive position — and who knows, maybe lightning could strike.

30 thoughts on “CT-Sen: Blumenthal Crushes Lieberman in Early Polling; Dodd Weakening”

  1. Blumenthal has had about a zillion chances to run for higher office, and he has chickened out each time.  I hope he runs in 2012, but I won’t hold my breath.  What I find most ironic about this poll is that Rell is crushing Blumenthal in a match-up for Gov-2010.  A few years ago, Blummy could have beaten her.  

    In terms of Dodd, he may be weakened, but as the old saying goes, you can’t be something with nothing.  Who can beat him besides Rell, who is staying in the state?  Simmons?  Maybe Chris Shays, but I doubt it.  If I was Cornyn, I would try to get Shays in because he can raise money, but I am not worried about Dodd unless Rell were to be recruited into the fray.  

  2. The fact that he only wins 9% of Democrats is telling.  He won’t even bother with the Democratic primary if he knows he’s going to get embarrassed like that.  And the Republicans may actually field someone who gets more than 10% of the vote.  Lieberman shouldn’t even bother to run for re-election.

  3. in politics.  i think almost any democrat could beat lieberman if the election were held today. and he will run as an “independent democrat” with the complete support of the GOP and because that’s his (and their) best chance at “retaining” the seat.

  4. One thing ive been thinking about is…should Blumenthal run & win re-election in 2010 and then defeat Lieberman hed be replaced by a Republican I would think. Obviously Democrats would take the trade in a heartbeat (Blumenthal replacing Lieberman while Blumenthal is replaced by a Republican at AG). As they should from a political perspective. But if the new Republican AG proves to be quite effective and popular he could be a real force in CT politics. I wonder who Rell would replace Blumenthal with. This is assuming Rell wins re-election in 2010 which is really all but a certainty unless Blumenthal runs against her (which he wont)

  5. …to Israel, if Joe agrees to retire from the Senate in a timely manner.  The senator will accept “for the good of America and our middle eastern relations”, and bow out gracefully from national elective politics.  

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