Lieberman May Campaign As Independent

Lieberman, facing a stronger-than-expected Democratic primary challenge and sagging poll numbers because of his support of the Iraq war, was to announce Monday whether he will begin gathering signatures for a possible independent run this November, a campaign spokeswoman said.

Lieberman has scheduled a 1 p.m. news conference at the state Capitol.

"It is in regard to his decision about the general election," said Lieberman campaign spokeswoman Marion Steinfels. "He told folks when he made his decision, he wanted to let people know. He's announcing where he's at, what he's come to."

Lieberman's wife Hadassah is expected to attend the event, Steinfels said.

Lieberman's campaign has long said they were focused only on winning on the Aug. 8 primary. An effort to gather signatures before the primary could annoy Democrats who already question his party loyalty.

Lieberman would have until Aug. 9—the day after the Democratic primary—to collect 7,500 signatures from registered voters to land on the November ballot as an unaffiliated candidate.

As of Monday morning, Lieberman's office has not sought petitions to circulate for an unaffiliated campaign, said Dan Tapper, spokesman for Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz.

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