WASHINGTON, 8 August 2006 — Sen. Joseph Lieberman, once a Democratic star who ran for Vice President in 2000, is now facing the prospect of losing a Democratic primary today to anti-war challenger Ned Lamont, a political newcomer and cable-TV millionaire. Lamont leads the senator 54% to 41%, according to the latest polls. Lamont has capitalized on the war’s unpopularity in Connecticut by accusing Lieberman of being too close to the Republicans and to President Bush.

Facing intense pressure in his bid for the Democratic primary, Lieberman has distanced himself from Bush, saying he opposed the White House’s domestic agenda and its handling of the Iraq war.

“I am the only Democrat in America to run against George Bush in a national election twice,” Lieberman told supporters at a rally Sunday.

“You know why I ran for president in 2004? Because I believe that his agenda was wrong for our country and our future. And that’s the truth.” “Look at me, folks — I’m not George Bush,” Lieberman said, pointing to his 18 years in the Senate. He has vowed to stay in the race on an independent line if he loses the primary.

“It’s not just about Iraq,” Lieberman told supporters, while casting himself as a progressive who has fought for health care, Social Security, education and the environment. Portraying rival Lamont as a political novice and an opportunist, Lieberman complained that Lamont has spent $4 million of his own money on a campaign of “smears” and “lies” to link the relatively conservative senator with Bush.

Despite the spin, liberal Democrats remain angry with him for supporting the war in Iraq.

Lieberman, an observant Jew who does not drive during the Jewish Sabbath, laid out his stance on Iraq, saying he did support the resolution giving the president authority to take out Saddam Hussein, as did many Senate Democrats.

“I still believe that was right. What I don’t think is right, as I have said over and over again, are many of the Bush administration decisions regarding the conduct of the war,” he said. He has criticized the president for not having a plan to win the peace and for a shortage of troops and allies.

“Don’t think for a minute I do not grieve for every casualty of this war,” Lieberman said. “In fact, as someone who voted for the war, I feel a heavy responsibility to try to end it as quickly and successfully as possible.” Aside from the two candidates, no one has more riding on today’s Connecticut Democratic Senate primary than MoveOn.org, a liberal organization at the edgy intersection of politics and the Internet.

With victory for Ned Lamont, the group can claim a role in helping an anti-war challenger dump Lieberman, who supports President Bush’s policy in Iraq and has the backing of the Democratic establishment.

A come-from-behind win for Lieberman would mark yet another setback for MoveOn in its parallel campaign — to strengthen its credentials as a force to be heeded by Democrats as they seek congressional majorities this fall.

Its political organization claims more than 3 million members, communicates through e-mail alerts, charges no dues and holds no national conventions.