Day: January 7, 2010

It’s a good thing Sen. Joe Lieberman is an independent because his antics during the health care debate have made him unpopular with both Republicans and Democrats. Wait — 61 percent of independents disapprove of him, too!

In the Public Policy Polling survey, even Barack Obama is twice as popular with Lieberman’s constituency. He has a 54 percent approval rating in Connecticut versus Lieberman’s 25 percent.

Lieberman has hit a low point with Democrats usually reserved for Republican politicians, with 81percent of them disapproving of him to just 14 percent happy with his performance. Republicans give him bad marks by a 48 to 39 margin.

Lieberman’s actions on the Senate health care bill have made 68 peercent of voters say they disagree with how he handled the issue, to just 19 percent giving him support. Among those who support the health care bill, 84 percent say they disapprove of Lieberman’s actions, but even among those opposed to the initiative, 52 percent say they disagree with how Lieberman handled himself.

“Joe Lieberman isn’t popular enough with the Democrats or the Republicans to receive their nomination for the Senate in 2012,” said Dean Debnam, president of Public Policy Polling. “And since the independents don’t like him much these days either it’s hard to see how he’ll be around for another term.”

Connecticut voters are divided on the health care plan, with 47 percent supporting it and 43 percent opposed.