... Money! (by Nicholas Beaudrot of Electoral Math)
Let's start a pool. When will Joe Lieberman's independent bid officially fizzle? My guess was two weeks, but I was assuming a larger margin of victory. So I'll say two and a half weeks; by August 25th, Lieberman will officially announce his withdrawl.
Why am I so bearish on the Lieberman for Lieberman party? One reason: money. Who, exactly is going to cut him any checks today? Bob Rubin gave a $6,300 to Lieberman in the last days of the race; do you think he'll do it again? The Ratner family chipped in $12,000 that won't be matched in the general. Lobbyists might give, but some portion of Liebermans ability to deliver favors depended on his seniority in the Democratic Party. Do you really think the next Senator on the totem pole is going to stand for Lieberman keeping his seniority on, say, the lucrative Senate Armed Services committee? So I'm not even sure that DC lobbyists will be willing to stick with Joe.
Lieberman is quickly going to find out how few contributors will be willing to stick with him now that he's had a chance to face voters and lost.
