Lieberman May Seek GOP Bid In 2012

Lieberman: GOP bid a "Possibility"


Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) said Tuesday that it is a "possibility” that he will run as a Republican when he seeks reelection.

“I don't know what I'll run as,” Lieberman said during an interview with CNN. “I like being an independent. So that's definitely a possibility. But I'd say all options are open.”

Lieberman lost a Democratic primary challenge in 2006 to Ned Lamont, though he went on to win the general election running as an independent. Lieberman enraged his former Democratic colleagues this week by threatening to withhold his vote on health care reform.

While the Connecticut senator said it was “unlikely” that he would run as a Republican when his seat is next up in 2012, he insisted that he would not “foreclose any possibility.”

“I think the more likely thing is that I'd run as an independent because that's what I am,” he said.

Lieberman also tried to dispel speculation that he may oppose health care just to stick it to the Democrats who did not support him in 2006.

“That's just poppycock,” Lieberman said. “This is all about what I think health care reform should be.”

“The president and I have a very good, mutually respectful relationship,” he added. “If I had any sense of vendetta against the Democratic Party, I wouldn't be in the Democratic Caucus today.”



View Larger Map


Sources: Politico, Google Maps