Joe Lieberman

Joe Lieberman might have first come to the attention of Arkansawyers in 1998. Who was this northeastern liberal with the slow-ish talk (and quick mind) who was causing such a scene in Washington?

The press was hearing it. The commentators were hearing it. The establishment was hearing it: Joe Lieberman is going to speak. Joe Lieberman is going to speak.

It was during Bill Clinton’s impeachment debate. And folks were interested in what Joe Lieberman, the conscience of the party, would say when his turn came before the full Senate and the American people. True to form, Senator Joe Lieberman told it with the bark off. He was one of the first national Democrats to scold the president for his actions that created the scandal.

He’d later vote against removing Bill Clinton from office, but Sen. Lieberman (D-Conn.) gave his own party’s president what-fer, as they say down here.

He was one of those national politicians who often put country/conscience/public good over party. Call it a dying breed.

In an age when partisans look past all flaws in their leaders as long as they think they can “get a win” over the other side, Joe Lieberman looks downright 18th century. He could have worn a tricorne.

Back in the day, kids, politicians were rewarded for good behavior. Joe Lieberman became the first Jewish person nominated for the vice presidency by a major political party. He would have served under Al Gore if Al Gore would have won Florida. (Or Tennessee, for that matter.) Then John McCain almost put him on his ticket in 2008, because of Mr. Lieberman’s fierce independent streak. Only an outcry from conservatives about Senator Lieberman’s voting record kept that from happening.

Imagine, being on the short list for the vice presidential nomination in two different parties, eight years apart.

That would be impossible in today’s environment. And Joe Lieberman could tell you, because this environment started during his career. In his last campaign for Senate in 2006, he wasn’t liberal enough for Connecticut Democrats (who felt he was too hawkish on the Iraq War; he was). They shoo’d him away. He had to run as an independent. And he won.

But the writing was on the wall. You must toe the party line—Every. Single. Time.—or you are unwelcome in today’s political parties. No more Blue Dog Democrats. No more Rockefeller Republicans. Joe Lieberman retired after that term.

Joe Lieberman died this week at 82. His example lives on. Would that more of our “leaders” followed it.