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.
I predict he’ll follow in his buddy McCain’s footsteps and appeal to the tea party voters. His move on HCR was a very stupid one, considering he hails from a blue state, and he has already stated on Fuchs Noose that he may run as a republican in 2012. I think the length of his career in the Senate has taken a turn for the worse. He has abused his position and power. He probably got a huge kick out of holding the determining vote on HCR and having his demands met. I don’t see it having any long-term benefit for re-election to the Senate, but I feel sure that it could lead to him getting a job in the private sector in the insurance industry after 2012. They’ll welcome him with open arms.