Senator Joe Lieberman (D) has angered many Democrats for his position on Iraq and his relationship with the Bush Administration. Despite that, the incumbent is well positioned to win another term in Washington.

Lieberman leads businessman Paul Streitz (R) 59% to 23% in a general election match-up.

However, Lieberman faces a stiff challenge from within his own party. Ned Lamont has raised the banner for those disaffected with Lieberman and mounted a more serious challenge than initially expected. Lieberman has not ruled out an Independent bid for the Senate if Lamont were to win the nomination.

In that case, Lieberman would win 47% of the vote, Lamont 20%, and Streitz 17%. Those numbers are similar to our previous poll on this match-up.

Lieberman's support from Republicans and unaffiliated voters changes little whether he runs as a Democrat or an Independent.

The impact among Democrats is quite different. Running as the party's standard bearer, Lieberman attracts 68% of the vote from the party faithful. However, if Lamont is the Democratic nominee, Lieberman earns just 43% of the vote from Democrats in the state. Lamont gets 32%.

The deadline for filing to run as an Independent is the day after the Democratic Primary. In practical terms, because of petition signature requirements, Lieberman would have to begin preparation for filing as an Independent before the Democratic Primary.

Lieberman also leads Lamont by 20 percentage points in a Primary Election match-up.

Governor Jodi Rell (R) is viewed favorably by 78% of Connecticut voters. Just 48% believe that tax cuts help the economy. Twenty-four percent (24%) disagree.

Like most states a majority of Connecticut voters (69%) believe that we should control our borders and enforce existing law before considering additional immigration reforms. A majority (60%) also supports a policy goal that would allow all to enter the nation except those who are national security threats, criminals, or are coming to live off the U.S. welfare system.

Just 28% of California voters believe that all illegal aliens should be forcibly required to leave the United States.

It remains to be seen whether the Governor's lead in this poll represents a lasting change in the dynamic of the race or is just a temporary phenomenon.

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