For Sen. Lieberman, Identity Crisis Continues
Connecticut's independent senator's unsure what party he'll run for in 2012
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Joe Lieberman has money set aside for 2012 senate campaign
Connecticut's junior senator, Joe Lieberman, is gearing up for the 2012 reelection campaign but how the now-independent runs is anyone's guess.
The senator told Politico that he might run as a Democrat, or an independent, then again --“Or a Republican,” Lieberman added, jokingly. “I have all sorts of options.”
Lieberman's been left, right and center. When he was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1988, he was a Democrat and ascended to the party's number two slot as a vice presidential candidate in 2000.
But then, that party train derailed when Ned Lamont beat Lieberman in the 2006 Democratic primary. So, Lieberman supporters created the Connecticut for Lieberman party and he went on to win the general election.
Then, Lieberman made an uber high-profile about-face on his original party last year by becoming a major advocate for Republican Sen. John McCain's presidential bid rather than backing Democrat Barack Obama.
After Obama took over the White House, Lieberman made friends with the Democrats again. Where it goes from now, only Joe knows.
Whatever party he runs for, Lieberman has made it clear he's in it by raising cash. As of June 30, he had $1.4 million, Politico reports.
In a glimpse forward to 2012, Politico reports that Democrats are trying to get money in their fund-raising coffers early because they have more to lose. Democrats will most likely have to defend 22 seats, while only nine Republicans will be running for reelection.
Posted Tuesday, Sep 22, 2009 - 11:06 AM EST
