The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Former Democratic senator who often defied his party
Former US senator Joe Lieberman, who nearly won the vicepresidency on the Democratic ticket with Al Gore in the disputed 2000 election and who almost became Republican John McCain’s running mate eight years later, has died, according to a statement issued by his family.
Mr Lieberman died in New York City on Wednesday due to complications from a fall, the statement said.
He was 82.
The Democrat-turned-independent was never shy about veering from the party line.
Mr Lieberman’s independent streak and especially his needling of Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama during the 2008 presidential contest rankled many Democrats, the party he aligned with in the Senate.
Yet his support for gay rights, civil rights, abortion rights and environmental causes at times won him the praise of many liberals over the years.
Mr Lieberman came tantalisingly close to winning the vicepresidency in the contentious 2000 presidential contest that was decided by a 537-vote margin victory for George W Bush in Florida after a drawn-out recount, legal challenges 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.
He was also the first national Democrat to publicly criticise President Bill Clinton for his extramarital affair with a White House intern.
Mr Lieberman sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 2004 but dropped out after a weak showing in the primaries.
Four years later, he was an independent who was nearly chosen to be Mr McCain’s running mate.
He and Mr McCain were close friends who shared hawkish views on military and national security matters.
Mr Lieberman generated controversy in 1998 when he scolded Mr Clinton, his friend of many years, for “disgraceful behaviour” in an explosive speech on the Senate floor during the height of the scandal over his relationship with Monica Lewinsky.
Yet Mr Lieberman later voted against the impeachment of Mr Clinton.
He defended his partisan switches as a matter of conscience, saying he always had the best interests of Connecticut voters at heart.
Critics accused him of pursuing narrow selfinterest and political expediency.
In announcing his retirement from the Senate in 2013, Mr Lieberman acknowledged that he did “not always fit comfortably into conventional political boxes” and felt his first responsibility was to serve his constituents, state and country, not his political party.
He had a tortured relationship with Democrats.
During his final Senate speech, Mr Lieberman urged Congress to look beyond party lines and partisan rancour to break Washington gridlock.
“It requires reaching across the aisle and finding partners from the opposite party,” said Mr Lieberman.
“That is what is desperately needed in Washington now.”
Harry Reid, who served as Senate Democratic leader, once said that while he did not always agree with the independentminded Mr Lieberman, he respected him.
“Regardless of our differences, I have never doubted Joe Lieberman’s principles or his patriotism,” Mr Reid said.
“And I respect his independent streak, as it stems from strong convictions.”
Privately, some Democrats were often less charitable about Mr Lieberman’s forays across party lines, which they saw as disloyal.
He bolted his party and turned independent after a 2006 Senate primary loss in Connecticut. Mr Lieberman’s strong support of the Iraq War hurt his statewide popularity.
Mr Lieberman grew up in Stamford, Connecticut, where his father ran a liquor store.
He graduated from Yale University and Yale Law School in New Haven.
As Connecticut’s attorney general from 1983 to 1988, he was a strong consumer and environmental advocate.
Mr Lieberman vaulted into the Senate by defeating moderate Republican incumbent Lowell Weicker in 1988.
After leaving the Senate in 2013, Mr Lieberman joined a New York City law firm.
Mr Lieberman and his wife, Hadassah, have four children.