Reply #191: Nader ran as a spoiler, Lieberman can actually win

[dolstein]

It really doesn't surprise me that DU'ers can tell the difference. But it's an important difference. Lieberman running as a third party candidate doesn't increase the chances that a Republican will win the seat. If anything, Lieberman's running as a third party candidate will ensure that no viable Republican candidate gets into the race. If Lieberman had dropped out of the race after the primary, do you really believe the Republicans wouldn't have fielded a better candidate than the one they nominated when they thought they'd have to face Lieberman? Not a chance. Lamont may have eked out a narrow win in the primary, but his appeal across the broader spectrum of Connecticut voters is much more limited. The Republicans would love to run against Ned alone, but with Lieberman running strong among independents and Republicans, they know that don't have a shot.