Joe Lieberman, Former Senator and VP Nominee, Dies at 82

Joseph Lieberman
Joseph Lieberman, esteemed former Senator and Vice Presidential Nominee, has died at the age of 82.

Joseph I. Lieberman, the former four-term U.S. senator from Connecticut and Democratic nominee for vice president in 2000, died on March 27 in New York City at the age of 82. Lieberman, who became the first Jewish candidate on a major party’s national ticket, was known for his independence and willingness to cross party lines throughout his political career. His family said the cause was complications from a fall.
A Centrist Democrat with Independent Streak
Lieberman viewed himself as a centrist Democrat, supporting issues such as abortion rights, environmental protections, gay rights, and gun control. However, he was also unafraid to break from Democratic orthodoxy, particularly in his hawkish stance on foreign policy. His support for the Iraq War in 2003 and the increasingly unpopular conflict that followed led to his rejection by Connecticut Democrats when he sought his fourth Senate term in 2006.
Undeterred, Lieberman ran as an independent candidate and won the election with support from Republican and unaffiliated voters. In his farewell speech to the Senate in 2012, Lieberman bemoaned the partisan polarization of politics, which he believed prevented progress and compromises necessary for a functioning democracy. He called for bipartisan leadership to break the gridlock in Washington and unleash the potential of the American people.
Throughout his career, Lieberman’s independent streak was evident in his actions and decisions. His willingness to stand up for his principles, even when they put him at odds with his party, earned him both respect and criticism from colleagues and constituents alike.

Controversial Support for Republican Nominee

In 2008, Lieberman drew the ire of Democrats by supporting his close friend, Republican presidential nominee John McCain, at the Republican National Convention. He dismissed Democratic nominee Barack Obama as lacking the necessary experience for the White House. This move was seen by many Democrats as an act of treachery, further distancing Lieberman from his party.
McCain later admitted that he wished he had chosen Lieberman as his running mate instead of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, whose selection initially sparked enthusiasm among the Republican base but later became a liability due to her inexperience on the national stage. Lieberman’s support for McCain represented an intriguing political reinvention, but it also alienated many Democrats who had once considered him a loyal member of their party.
Lieberman’s decision to back McCain was rooted in their shared hawkish foreign policy views and close personal friendship. The two senators had traveled together to Iraq and other hotspots, becoming allies in support of the Iraq War and President George W. Bush’s troop surge in 2007.
A Legacy of Bipartisanship and Controversy
Despite the controversies that marked his later career, Lieberman’s passion for issues like education remained a constant throughout his time in office. Governor Jared Polis of Colorado, who worked with Lieberman on the Race to the Top initiative during their time in Congress, expressed his sadness at the news of Lieberman’s passing, recalling his dedication to improving the nation’s schools and providing opportunities for students.
Lieberman’s political evolution accelerated after the September 11, 2001 attacks, and his hawkish foreign policy views put him increasingly at odds with his own party. In his final years, he sparked controversy as the founding chairman of the No Labels Group, which has been considering an independent presidential ticket for the 2024 election – a move that some Democrats fear could split President Joe Biden’s vote and help former President Donald Trump win.
Lieberman will be remembered for his proud observance of his Orthodox Jewish faith, his bipartisan efforts in the Senate, and his historic role as the first Jewish vice-presidential nominee of a major party. His legacy is one of a dedicated public servant who was unafraid to stand up for his principles, even when they put him at odds with his party. He is survived by his wife, Hadassah, and their children.

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