Lieberman announces he will run Independent, if he looses the primary

To secure a place on the ballot, Lieberman needs to collect 7,500 signatures by August 9, the day after the primary, said Dan Tapper, a spokesman for Connecticut Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz.

It was uncertain when Lieberman would begin the process but because of the time limitations it was likely he would have to begin soon.

Lieberman said he will still try to win the Democratic primary. "We look forward to August 9th, when all we have to do is celebrate our victory in the primary the day before," he said.

Lieberman has always been more conservative than the liberal wing of the Democratic Party but it was his support of the war that prompted a serious primary challenge to his re-election.

His decision drew criticism from one liberal group, MoveOn.org, which said he was holding himself above the process by which his party chooses candidates.

Public support for Bush has fallen amid waning public approval for the 3-year-old war in Iraq.

Ned Lamont, who made millions with his cable television company, waged a self-financed fight against Lieberman although he has little political experience. Recent polls have shown Lamont closing the gap.

"This hurts his chances of winning the primary. He knows that," said Kenneth Dautrich, a professor of public policy at the University of Connecticut. "He's pretty much given up on the fact that he can win this primary."


Heh heh heh- ... Go Lamont!