This part of the Connecticut Senate primary discussion will now focus on why a shift in voter mood is happening to Lieberman now and what type of impact we can begin to expect if he is not re-elected.

The seriousness of the change in political winds for Lieberman are important because this was a man who was just shy of becoming Vice President of the United States under Al Gore in 2000. This also means that he was certaintly presidential matierial and successor to the presidency had Gore won the election.

In general you would first have to acknowledge that voters are currently placing little faith in representatives from both the Republican and Democratic parties. With redistricting and incumbants’ abilities to pull in more money for the financing a political campaign, it is becoming harder for the no-name competitor to effectively spread his or her message and have a serious chance of becoming elected. I believe the American people are very upset, discouraged, and ready to force change. 

A recent article by Dan Balz begins to pull back the curtain on what a Lamont victory would mean for the party in general. Balz points out that:

• Grass-roots efforts and internet activists are growing in political relevance
• Hillary Rodham Clinton, who also supports the war while criticising the president’s plan for Iraq, may be negatively affected if Lamont wins (watch for an Al Gore comeback)
• The Democratic party might finally begin to distance itself from Republicans and fight for their anti-war and partisan beliefs

The Democrats have the supportive mood of the country in general, but also run the risk of exposing their dove-like nature with a Lieberman defeat. If one thing is certain, it is that change is imminent. With the mid-term elections near, you and I can only watch for the signs and try to fit the pieces of this political puzzle together.