In the case of senators, we step back every six years and evaluate the person. Have we elected the right man (or woman)? We need this primary, because it's quite possible that Lieberman has seriously failed the people who have elected him. This is the only way we're going to find out. The Republicans aren't going to field a candidate who can help us sort it out. We have to do that in between now and August 8. And I find I do resent a bunch of second-rate politicians, many of whom who have ducked most of the big challenges of their political lives, especially the challenge posed by Gov. John G. Rowland, telling us now is not the time to question Joe Lieberman. Now is exactly the time. Maybe we'll decide he deserves our trust again. But don't tell us we can't ask the question, just because you're scared of him.

Calling Social Security his "pet issue," Schlesinger, an attorney and Derby's finance director, said Democrats are misleading the public by minimizing the problem.

"I was extremely offended by Congress and Lieberman's charade over Social Security," Schlesinger said. "The baby boomers are retiring. "How does that bulge get absorbed? Actuarially, it's an unsound program."

Saying he would offer more specifics on his plan when his candidacy is made official, Schlesinger described it as a "quasi-pension system."...

"I think Alan's got all of the qualifications we look for. He has both legislative and executive experience," said George D. Gallo, chairman of the state Republican Party