Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman had a tough time winning reelection in 2006; in order to do it, after being defeated in the Democratic primary, he had to run as an independent. The road ahead of him in 2012 might not be any easier, as one of the state's prominent Democrats is reportedly considering taking a run at Lieberman's seat.
State Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, the Hill reports, "has begun informing influential members of the state's political class that he will prepare for a run against Lieberman." The Hartford Courant notes that Blumenthal has always coveted a Senate seat, but his path to one had long been blocked by the presence of two Democrats -- Lieberman and Chris Dodd -- in the state's delegation. With Lieberman now an independent who only caucuses with the Democrats, it's no longer taboo to challenge him.
The news was especially interesting to me because I covered the end of the 2006 primary between Lieberman and Ned Lamont, and met Blumenthal at Lieberman headquarters that night. At the time, he supported the incumbent. He eventually endorsed Lamont, but that was essentially mandatory after Lamont's primary victory, and has apparently remained friends with the senator. So it's interesting to see him considering a campaign.
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