By SUSAN HAIGH (Associated Press)
Former U.S. Senator Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, who almost became the vice president with Al Gore in the controversial 2000 election and who was also considered as Republican John McCain’s running mate eight years later, has died. This information comes from a statement released by his family.
Lieberman passed away in New York City on Wednesday due to complications from a fall. He was 82 years old.
The former Democrat, who later became an independent, was not afraid to diverge from the party's position.
Lieberman’s independent nature, and particularly his criticism of Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama during the 2008 election, upset many Democrats, the party he was associated with in the Senate. However, his support for gay rights, civil rights, abortion rights, and environmental causes at times earned him praise from many liberals over the years.
Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy, a Democrat, described Lieberman as a unique figure in politics. Murphy said, “In an era where most politicians are very similar, Joe Lieberman stood out by fighting for what he believed was right and for the state he loved.”
Over the past ten years, Lieberman played a leading role in No Labels, a moderate third-party movement that intends to nominate candidates for the president and vice president this year. Some groups aligned with Democrats are against this effort because they fear it may help Donald Trump, the expected Republican nominee, win the presidency.
The No Labels group referred to Lieberman’s unexpected death as a “significant loss,” and described him as “a remarkable figure in American politics who always prioritized his country over his party.”
Lieberman came very close to winning the vice presidency in the controversial 2000 presidential election, which was decided by a 537-vote margin victory for George W. Bush in Florida after a prolonged recount, legal battles, and a Supreme Court decision. He was the first Jewish candidate on a major party’s presidential ticket and would have been the first Jewish vice president.
On Wednesday night, Gore expressed deep sadness over the death of his former running mate. He described Lieberman as “a truly talented leader, whose friendly personality and strong determination made him a significant force” and stated that his commitment to equality and fairness began at a young age, highlighting Lieberman's involvement in the civil rights movement in the 1960s.
Gore stated, “It was a privilege to stand alongside him on the campaign trail.”
In 2004, Lieberman competed for the Democratic presidential nomination but withdrew after performing poorly in the early primaries. Four years later, he ran as an independent and was close to being selected as McCain’s running mate. He and McCain were closely connected and shared similar views on military and national security matters.
McCain was heavily considering choosing Lieberman as his running mate as the 2008 Republican convention approached, but at the last minute, he picked Sarah Palin due to strong opposition from conservatives over Lieberman’s liberal record, as per Steve Schmidt, who managed McCain’s campaign.
In 1998, Lieberman caused a stir when he scolded his friend Clinton for his 'disgraceful behavior' in a speech on the Senate floor during the scandal over his relationship with Monica Lewinsky. Later, Lieberman voted against Clinton's impeachment.
Even though he had a difficult relationship with Democrats, Lieberman defended his partisan switches as a matter of conscience, stating that he always had the best interests of Connecticut voters at heart. Critics accused him of pursuing narrow self-interest and political expediency.
When announcing his retirement from the Senate in 2013, Lieberman admitted that he did not always fit comfortably into conventional political categories and felt that his first responsibility was to serve his constituents, state, and country, rather than his political party.
During his final Senate speech, Lieberman urged Congress to look beyond party lines and partisan conflict to break Washington gridlock.
Lieberman said, 'It requires reaching across the aisle and finding partners from the opposite party. That is what is desperately needed in Washington now.'
Years ago, Lieberman was the first national Democrat to publicly criticize President Bill Clinton for his affair with a White House intern.
Harry Reid, who served as Senate Democratic leader, once said that while he didn't always agree with the independent-minded Lieberman, he respected him.
Reid said, 'Regardless of our differences, I have never doubted Joe Lieberman's principles or his patriotism. And I respect his independent streak, as it stems from strong convictions.'
Some Democrats privately viewed Lieberman's moves across party lines as disloyal. He left his party and became an independent after losing a 2006 Senate primary in Connecticut.
Lieberman's strong support of the Iraq War had damaged his popularity in the state. Democrats rejected Lieberman and chose a political newcomer and anti-war candidate, Ned Lamont, in the 2006 primary. Lieberman later won re-election as an independent, citing his Senate experience, congressional influence, and support for the state's defense industry.
Many of his Democratic allies and longtime friends, including former Sen. Chris Dodd, had backed Lamont in that election. Lieberman was open about feeling betrayed by old friends like Dodd, but the two men later reconciled.
In a statement issued Wednesday expressing condolences, Lamont said he and Lieberman eventually became friends after their grueling and contentious race.
Lamont stated, 'While the senator and I had our political differences, he was a man of integrity and conviction, so our debate about the Iraq War was serious. I believe we agreed to disagree from a position of principle.'
He added, 'When the race was over, we stayed in touch as friends in the best traditions of American democracy. He will be missed.'
After his successful re-election in 2006, Lieberman chose to caucus with Democrats in the Senate. They allowed him to lead a committee in return for his vote to help maintain control of the closely divided chamber. However, it wasn't long before Lieberman was displaying his independent streak and upsetting his Democratic caucus colleagues.
Even though Democrats allowed him to be part of their group as an independent, Lieberman was very supportive of McCain in the 2008 presidential competition.
Lieberman’s speech at the 2008 GOP presidential nominating convention criticizing Obama, the Democratic presidential nominee, deeply offended many Democrats.
Lieberman portrayed Obama as a political performer, a lightweight with a small record of achievements in the Senate despite his impressive speaking skills.
“During the 3 1/2 years that Sen. Obama has been in the Senate, he has not worked with the opposing party to achieve anything significant, nor has he been ready to confront powerful interest groups in the Democratic Party to accomplish something,” Lieberman stated at the convention.
“Being a great speaker is not enough, you need a track record,” he said.
Lieberman actively campaigned for McCain all over the country. Many Democrats saw this as a betrayal to Obama and his former party colleagues.
“Joe Lieberman has made very irresponsible statements about Barack Obama,” House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of California said in a radio interview during the 2008 race. On Wednesday, Pelosi called Lieberman a “leader of integrity and patriotism” despite their political disagreements in a message posted on X.
Following the election, there were talks among Senate Democrats about possibly removing Lieberman from his role as chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee as payback. Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., chair of the Judiciary Committee, was among those who said Lieberman should lose his chairmanship. Leahy criticized Lieberman’s attacks on Obama as “beyond the pale.”
However, at Obama’s urging, Senate Democrats chose not to penalize Lieberman for backing McCain and the GOP ticket. Obama wanted to show a bipartisan approach for his presidency, and giving Lieberman a pass helped reinforce that message. On Wednesday, Obama acknowledged they “didn’t always see eye-to-eye,” but noted Lieberman had an “extraordinary career in public service.”
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent and strong liberal, described Lieberman’s convention comments as a “slap in the face” for the millions of Americans who supported Obama.
Connecticut Democrats debated censuring Lieberman. Longtime friend and former chairman of the state party, Nick Balletto, admitted that many were unhappy with Lieberman and how that dissatisfaction overshadowed everything he had done for the state. Before the U.S. Senate, Lieberman served in the state Senate and as Connecticut Attorney General.
“He was the most authentic, honest, straightforward politician you’d probably ever meet. What you saw is what you got,” said Balletto. “His issues were the issues of the people … He didn’t move because it was where the wind wanted to be today. He stayed strong in what he believed in his heart and his mind.”
Lieberman was known in the Senate for his strong foreign policy views, his pro-defense stance and his firm support for environmental causes.
Five weeks after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, he became one of the first politicians to call for the removal of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein and later voted in favor of the military invasion of Iraq. His vocal support for the war would later contribute to his defeat in the 2006 Connecticut Democratic primary.
Lieberman often voted like Democrats and was a long-time supporter of abortion rights. This could have caused problems with conservatives if McCain had picked him as his running mate in 2008.
He was important in making the law that started the Department of Homeland Security.
Lieberman grew up in Stamford, Connecticut, where his father managed a liquor store. He graduated from Yale University and Yale Law School in New Haven and served as Connecticut’s attorney general from 1983 to 1988. He became a senator by defeating moderate Republican incumbent Lowell Weicker in 1988 and was known for helping consumers and the environment.
After leaving the Senate in 2013, Lieberman joined a law firm in New York City. His funeral will be held Friday at Congregation Agudath Sholom in his hometown of Stamford. There will be another memorial service at a later date.
Lieberman and his wife, Hadassah, have four children.
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