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It's called "Operation Liebermania II: A Joe-Vember to Remember," a monthlong push during which Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Lieberman pours time and money into New Hampshire, hundreds of volunteers press his case and at least one family member campaigns in the state for 17 days straight.
November, however, is looking a bit like September and the original "Operation Liebermania," another seemingly unsuccessful effort to reinvigorate his campaign here.
Despite massive efforts in the state, the Connecticut senator does not seem to be gaining ground. Two recent polls of likely Democratic primary voters not only showed Lieberman far behind the front-runner, former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, but mired in single digits.
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One sign that Lieberman's campaign is foundering is his trouble raising money. As of Sept. 30, he ranked sixth in the Democratic field of nine, with $11.8 million in donations for the year. That was far behind Dean's pace-setting $25.4 million.
Perhaps more telling, insiders say, is that he's had a tough time earning donations from those his campaign figured would be first to pony up — fellow Jews.
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But having opted out of active campaigning for the Jan. 19 Iowa caucuses, his campaign — and family — have focused on New Hampshire in recent weeks. His wife, Hadassah, toured community centers and colleges; daughter Rebecca hit schools and opened new campaign offices; his 89-year-old mother, Marcia, went to numerous events in her wheelchair. All of them have also campaigned in other states.
There is little evidence that the effort has paid off.
"It's tough. We're out here day after day, in the cold, trying, but nothing seems to help," a young supporter who identified herself as Sandy said at recent rally. "We don't really know what else to do." http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-joe23nov23,1,6802269.story?coll=la-headlines-nation
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