Latest Poll: Lamont Over Lieberman by Double Digits!

Ned Lamont (D) leads Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-CT) 54% to 41% among likely Democratic primary voters, according to a new Quinnipiac poll -- a 13 point edge for the challenger less than a week before the August 8th primary in Connectict. This compares to Lamont's 51-47% lead two weeks ago. When this race began, Lieberman had a 40-point lead. FireDogLake, which has been providing top-notch coverage of the race, cites the poll's key findings:

• In this latest survey, 5 percent of likely Democratic primary voters remain undecided, but 85 percent of voters say their mind is made up.
• Among Lamont supporters, 65 percent say their vote is mainly against Lieberman.
• Lieberman’s support for the war in Iraq is the main reason they are voting for the challenger, 44 percent of Lamont voters say, with 50 percent who say the war is one of the reasons.

Said pollster Douglas Schwartz: "Sen. Lieberman’s campaign bus seems to be stuck in reverse. Despite visits from former President Bill Clinton and other big name Democrats, Lieberman has not been able to stem the tide to Lamont."

For another take on this race, be sure to check out the New Mexico blog m-pyre, where Maggie perfectly describes the importance of this race to so many Democrats everywhere.

Of course, it's hard to judge the accuracy of polling in the race because the circumstances of the contest are unique. No-one really knows what kind of turnout to expect in an August primary when so many of Connecticut's voters are away on vacation or caught up in other summer activities. There hasn't been a contentious Democratic primary for Lieberman's Senate seat for decades.

Still, the polling shows a definite trend away from Lieberman and towards Lamont among the state's likely primary voters. With civil war becoming more of a reality every day in Iraq and support for a troop pullout surging, this race may well set the tone for the war debate in races all over the country. It's clear that large numbers of Democratic voters are fed up with candidates who cozy up to Bush and his neocon agenda, and who seem more concerned about appearing "strong on defense" than getting our troops out of harm's way in an increasingly chaotic and violent quagmire. Beware all "centrist" Dems afraid to speak truth to power on this war and so many other core Dem issues.

Lamont is providing clearcut, blunt and honest assessments of the war and the tragic effects that $250,000 million per day of war spending is doing to our hopes for universal healthcare, clean energy development, improved schools and just about anything else that improves the lives of Americans. Enough is enough. Let's hope Lamont supporters turn out in droves on August 8th to send that message in Connecticut and nationally. I'm holding my breath ....