Lieberman under 50% approval amonst CT Democrats. Lamont gains.

June 8, 2006 - Lamont Gains On Lieberman Among Connecticut Dems, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Rell Rules In Governor's Race

Anti-war Connecticut U.S. Senate candidate Ned Lamont has gained ground on Sen. Joseph Lieberman, and now trails the incumbent 55 - 40 percent among likely Democratic primary voters, including undecided voters who are leaning towards a candidate, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.

Among all Democrats, Sen. Lieberman leads 57 - 32 percent, compared to 65 - 19 percent in a May 2 poll by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University.

All Connecticut voters approve 56 - 32 percent of the job Lieberman is doing. Democrats approve 49 - 38 percent, down from 60 - 31 percent May 2.

In possible general election matchups:
Lieberman defeats Republican challenger Alan Schlesinger 68 - 14 percent;
Lamont beats Schlesinger 37 - 20 percent, with 34 percent undecided;
Running as an independent, Lieberman gets 56 percent, to 18 percent for Lamont and 8 percent for Schlesinger.

"Ned Lamont's surprisingly strong showing at the state Democratic convention gained him a lot of headlines and probably has helped increase his poll numbers. The biggest change is among women and liberals," said Quinnipiac University Poll Director Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D.

"But has Lamont's anti-war campaign peaked or can he mount an even stronger attack on Sen. Lieberman, the popular and respected incumbent?"

Connecticut Democrats say 56 - 34 percent that Lieberman deserves to be reelected. Among those who want him reelected, 23 percent point to his overall record as the principal reason. Among those who do not want him reelected, 20 percent list his support for the war in Iraq as the main reason.