Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, who announced Monday he will seek a sixth term, is mulling a challenge against Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) in 2012.
Multiple Connecticut Democrats, speaking on condition of anonymity, say Blumenthal has begun informing influential members of the state's political class that he will prepare for a run against Lieberman.
Blumenthal has been Connecticut's AG since forever (well, 1990, to be precise), and it has long been assumed that he's been looking for an opportunity to move on up. Still, after passing on gubernatorial campaigns time and time again, Blumenthal always struck observers as fairly risk-averse, and he has already committed himself to running for another term as AG in 2010. So it's fairly surprising that he's thinking of making a splash against Lieberman:
"My only focus and my sole interest right now is on the race in 2010 and seeking reelection as attorney general," he said.
Still, serving in the Senate "would be an honor, and it's always been a career goal," Blumenthal added. "I've said that I look forward to continuing opportunities for public service in the future."
Should Blumenthal run against Lieberman, it would set up a clash between two well-known Connecticut politicians. "He's probably the most popular Democrat in the state," said Quinnipiac University pollster Douglas Schwartz. [...]
"I would certainly consider other opportunities that fit the skills I have, the aptitudes. The U.S. Senate would be a huge honor and a great challenge and opportunity," Blumenthal said Monday. "We have two United States senators who are incumbents, and I would have to see what their plans are."
If either Dodd or Lieberman retire, you can bet that Blumenthal would finally pounce. But with Blumenthal turning 66 in 2012, perhaps he sees the clock ticking on his ambition to join the Senate -- if Dodd sticks around in 2010 (as most assume), a Lieberman challenge could be his last real window to try.
