Nader “absorbing” information about possible run for Senate…

Ralph Nader is “absorbing” information about possible run for Senate. Susan Haigh writes for the Associated Press, “Ralph Nader says he wants to gauge the level of grass-roots support before deciding whether to make a bid to represent Connecticut in the Senate.”

The Connecticut Green Party is trying to persuade the consumer advocate and former President candidate to challenge Democratic Senator Chris Dodd in 2010. State Green Party spokesman Tim McKee says social networking Web pages are springing up urging him to run for Senate.

SOURCE:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jvGky28IfeN9Eygc6iwhqYjriJMAD9C85A3G2

Greens picket Nader – begging him to run for Senate…

Green Party members are picket Ralph Nader, asking him to run for Senate. In an Associated Press article posted on Courant.com, Connecticut Green Party Spokesman Tim McKee was quoted saying weak polling numbers from Senator Chris Dodd get the Greens a great shot to pick-up the U.S. Senate seat. McKee was quoted, “A lot of Democrats would be upset about the prospect (of Nader entering the race). But we look at it as (he's) already lost the seat."

The Connecticut Greens planned a rally for Friday afternoon in West Hartford, where Nader is scheduled to speak at a book-signing. The rally will beg Nader to run for Senate.

McKee estimates Nader will need $3 million to $5 million for the campaign.

SOURCE:

http://www.courant.com/news/local/statewire/hc-ap-ct-connecticutsenatenov26,0,7968327.story

Lieberman getting "stubborn"

Independent Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman is getting “stubborn” on health care reform.

An article on FoxNews.com quotes Senator Lieberman that he is, “going to be stubborn on this." He means that he will be stubborn on not including a "public option" in health care reform.

The article says, “Lieberman says he won't vote to let a bill come to a final vote if a public option is included.” The article continues to say any version of a public option, including a trigger, would get a no vote from Senator Lieberman.

SOURCE:

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/11/24/lieberman-digs-public-option/

Nader for Senate?

Nader for Senate? Could Ralph Nader run for Senate in Connecticut? There is a possibility.

Glenn Thrush writes on Politico.com a number of people are asking Ralph Nader to for the Senate against incumbent Democrat Chris Dodd in 2010. Nader is a registered as a voter in Connecticut. Nader was quoted saying, “You can't believe the number of people of asking me [to run].”

Thrush writes, “Nader's entry as a third party candidate would be terrible news for Dodd, who is hoping to energize his liberal base in possible match-ups against GOP challengers Rob Simmons and Linda McMahon, who lead him in public polls.”

Thrush later added Nader is focused on reforms, not “electoral politics”. Even with that said, Nader has not made a decision on the Senate race.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/glennthrush/1109/Will_Nader_challenge_Dodd.html#

Senator Lieberman “more Republican” and doing better than worse…

Connecticut Independent Senator Joe Lieberman is “more Republican” and doing better than worse according to a new Quinnipiac University poll.

The poll shows voters believed 51-25% that Senator Lieberman's views on issues are closer to the Republican Party than to the Democratic Party. But the big issue for re-election is his approval rating. Voters approve of Lieberman’s job performance 49-44%.

While being below the 50% threshold is not good, in a three-way race with a strong independent candidate 40% is likely a winning vote tally. Lieberman is not up for re-election until 2012 so there is some time for strange things to happen between now and 2012.

SOURCE:

http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1284.xml?ReleaseID=1395&What=&strArea=;&strTime=0

Senate candidate to produce monthly TV show…

Independent/Third Party candidate for Senate from Connecticut Dr. John Mertens will produce monthly television shows to be, “shown on public access television stations around the state”.

The Mertens campaign website describes the shows as, “30 minutes of in-depth discussion of a different issue each month between the candidate and guests.”

The first show which will be first telecast on November 6th will focus on U.S. Drug Policy. The guess reportedly include, “Cliff Thornton, Green Party Candidate for Governor in 2006… Joseph Brooks, retired Connecticut police captain…”

SOURCE:

http://mertens2010.blogspot.com/2009/11/dr-john-mertens-produces-first-monthly.html

Independent Joe Lieberman making turn to the right…

Independent Senator Joe Lieberman of Connecticut is making a turn to the right. The independent Democrat to told ABC news he will be campaigning for some Republicans in the 2010 mid-term elections.

Jonathan Karl writes on ABCnews.go.com that Senator Lieberman may not seek the Democratic Senate nomination when he runs for re-election in 2012. In the past Lieberman supported Senator John McCain for President and other Republicans running for Congress. The senator told ABC news, “…in between (the hard right and hard left) is the larger group, which is people who really want to see the right thing done, or want something good done for this country and them -- and that means, sometimes, the better choice is somebody who's not a Democrat."

Lieberman has vowed to support his fellow Connecticut senator for re-election in 2010, that Senator is Democrat Chris Dodd.

SOURCE:

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/independent-sen-joe-lieberman-hell-back-republicans-2010/story?id=8952240

Independent Senator: Doing 'nothing' is better option than the public option

Mike Soraghan writes on TheHill.com that independent Senator Joe Lieberman from Connecticut said "'Nothing' is better than getting (a public option).. we ought to follow the doctors' oath and say, 'First, let's do no harm.'"

There had been some question on which direction Senator Lieberman would vote on a health care bill. The Thirds thinks this is clear now.

SOURCE:

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/65763-lieberman-doing-nothing-is-better-than-public-option

Why so many Czars?

Why so many Czars? That could be one of the questions in a Senate committee Thursday morning. Eric Zimmermann writes on TheHill.com, “For the second time in a month, a Senate committee will hold a hearing to explore the role of ‘czars’ in the executive branch.”

Independent Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman will lead the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee exploring "The Past, Present, and Future of Policy Czars." Zimmerman writes, “That description is similar to the Senate Judiciary Committee hearings on czars a few weeks ago, titled ‘Examining the History and Legality of Executive Branch Czars.’”

The Witnesses at the hearing include:

former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge,

George Mason University Professor James Piffner,

Attorney Lee A. Casey,

former researcher at the Congressional Research Service, Harold Relyea.

SOURCE:

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/63657-lieberman-to-hold-czars-hearing

Lieberman saying no to Baucus health bill…

Independent Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman is saying no to the Baucus health care bill that passed the Senate Finance Committee. Michael O’Brien writes on TheHill.com, “the Connecticut independent is one of a handful of key Senate centrists who are shaping the fate of health reform this year.”

Lieberman says he could not support the bill the way it is formed right now due to concerns of a taxes hike on insurance companies, which would be passed on to consumers. O’Brien quotes Senator Lieberman on Fox Business’ Imus in the Morning Show, "I'm afraid that in the end the Baucus bill is actually going to raise the price of insurance for most of the people in the country.”

Lieberman said this plan cannot work in the current economy.

SOURCE:

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/62773-lieberman-opposes-baucus-health-bill

Lieberman to lead ending of “don’t ask, don’t tell”…

Lieberman to lead ending of “don’t ask, don’t tell” according to Kerry Eleveld writing on the Advocate.com. Elevard wrote a spokesman for Independent Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman, “confirmed that the senator had been speaking to the White House about the bill.” Senator Lieberman’s press secretary said the Senator, “...has opposed [don’t ask don’t tell] since it was first proposed in 1993.”

The article says, “Lieberman is generally seen as a strong candidate for carrying the bill given his position on the Armed Services Committee and his strong engagement with the military.”

The article also says Senator Lieberman may try and get one of the liberal Republican Senators from Maine to co-sponsor the bill.

SOURCE:

http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2009/10/White_House_Talks_DADT_Repeal_With_Lieberman/

Connecticut newspaper gives a lot of time to independents & third parties…

Connecticut newspaper gives a lot of time to independents & third parties. The Greenwich Time gave writer Frank Juilano a lot column inches to breakdown the independents and third parties in Connecticut.

The article at least once (many in the last paragraph) mentioned every registered third party in Connecticut.

SOURCE:

http://www.greenwichtime.com/ci_13428868