Politics

Sen. Joe Lieberman Officially Announces 2012 Retirement

Editor’s note: This post originally included live video of the senator’s announcement. It has now been updated with a story about his remarks.

STAMFORD, Conn. (AP) — Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut said Wednesday that he will retire next year, ending a career in which he became his party’s vice presidential nominee but six years later ran as an independent after losing the Democratic primary.

His office confirmed the decision in a statement circulated ahead of a news conference in Stamford.

“The reason I have decided not to run for re-election in 2012 is best expressed in the wise words from Ecclesiastes: ‘To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under Heaven,’” Lieberman said in prepared remarks.

“At the end of this term, I will have served 24 years in the U.S. Senate and 40 years in elective office. For me, it is time for another season and another purpose under Heaven,” he said.

While Lieberman’s hawkish views on the military and the Iraq war rankled some Democrats, his support for gay rights and abortion rights won him the praise of many liberals.

Lieberman, 68, nearly won the vice presidency on the Democratic ticket with running mate Al Gore in 2000 and mounted an unsuccessful presidential bid in 2004.

He was defeated the last time he ran for the Democratic Senate nomination in Connecticut, in 2006, but won a new term running as an independent in a three-way race.

Top Democrats such as Obama and then-Connecticut Sen. Christopher Dodd who had supported Lieberman in the 2006 primary instead backed Democratic nominee Ned Lamont in the fall general election. Lieberman was disappointed that some old friends weren’t loyal to him.

In the years since, he aligned himself with Democrats in the Senate, who permitted him to head a committee in return. Yet in 2008 he supported McCain.

Lieberman’s decision to speak at the 2008 GOP presidential nominating convention angered Democrats, and the speech he gave contrasting Obama, then a first-term senator from Illinois, and McCain angered them more.

“In the Senate, during the 3-1/2 years that Sen. Obama has been a member, he has not reached across party lines to … accomplish anything significant, nor has he been willing to take on powerful interest groups in the Democratic Party to get something done,” Lieberman said at the time.

Lieberman’s poll ratings in his home state had slipped in recent years, encouraging Democratic challengers and sparking speculation about the senator’s retirement. Dodd recently retired from the Senate.

Hours before Lieberman’s plans became public, former Connecticut Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz said she would run in 2012 for Lieberman’s seat.

Reps. Chris Murphy and Joe Courtney are considering a run. Republican Linda McMahon is also seen as a potential challenger, despite losing her Senate bid last year against Democrat Richard Blumenthal.

“Over the past few months, people from across Connecticut whose advice I respect have encouraged me to consider a Senate run,” Courtney said in a statement. “I am seriously considering that challenge.”

After the 2008 election and at Obama’s urging, Senate Democrats decided not to punish Lieberman for supporting the GOP ticket. They voted to let him keep his post as leader of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. Obama was eager to strike a bipartisan tone for his presidency.

Two years ago, some state Democrats wanted to censure Lieberman for his actions. Ultimately, he was sent a stern letter. Since that time, he has had scant interaction with the party.

Lieberman told The Associated Press last month that he was considering whether to seek another term in the Senate.

“It’s a difficult decision for me because I really have loved my service here in the Senate, and I feel privileged to be here,” he said. “I guess the question is – and I think you’ve always got to ask is – `Now, after 22 years, 24 years after this term is over, do I want to do it again? Or, do I want to try something else?‘ That’s the question you’ve got to answer.”

Five weeks after the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, Lieberman was one of the first politicians to call for the ouster of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein and he was a staunch supporter of the military invasion of Iraq.

As chairman of the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee, Lieberman led the efforts to create the Department of Homeland Security.

Lieberman gained national attention in 1998 when he gave a politically explosive speech on the Senate floor criticizing President Bill Clinton, his friend of many years and a fellow centrist Democrat, over the Monica Lewinsky affair.

—

Associated Press writers Andrew Miga and David Espo in Washington and Susan Haigh in Connecticut contributed to this report.

Comments (38)

  • dcart888
    Posted on January 20, 2011 at 8:10am

    MSDNC Morn Joe: Sen Lieberman calls Arianna Huff “I don‘t think you’ve read it sweetheart

    Report Post » dcart888  
  • SilentReader
    Posted on January 19, 2011 at 11:20pm

    Lieberman is the reason there should be term limits.

    I strongly oppose his stance on abortion. Noone should have the right to end the life of an unborn child. I also oppose it because it’s not good for the mother healthwise or otherwise. It would be better for the mother to have the baby and give it up for adoption. There are many couples who would be more than happy to raise the child and then hand it back in eternity.

    Roe, in Roe vs Wade (not her real name by the way), ended up having her baby and she lived to regret her decision. Later in life she tried to get it overturned.

    If you are a mother thinking about giving up your child and you read this please reconsider your decision by finding a couple to adopt your baby. There are alot of them out there. Remember this is a decision for all eternity and one day you will be reunited again. It is important to know that you are not alone. There is always someone to help. Ask and it shall be given to you. Knock and the door will be opened.

    In this mortal world we are but guardians of these children for a brief period of time. Make the most of it.

    God bless.

    Report Post » SilentReader  
  • Mary Just
    Posted on January 19, 2011 at 10:18pm

    Good riddance you liberal socialist progressive Democrat

    Report Post »  
  • waterman
    Posted on January 19, 2011 at 9:35pm

    joe is mush. he‘s like the guy in the store who can’t make up his mind. joe only made political moves because he was forced to. see ya later wishy washy!

    Report Post »  
  • dontbotherme
    Posted on January 19, 2011 at 9:07pm

    Didn’t like his politics. I liked his spunk. He stood up to the dems when he ran for re-election because he knew they were planning an obama move, and ran as an Independent & won.

    Report Post »  
  • MUDFLAPS
    Posted on January 19, 2011 at 8:37pm

    see ya joe, can you take a bunch more of your dem buddys with ya? What a pack of pigs you all are.

    Report Post »  
  • ChiefGeorge
    Posted on January 19, 2011 at 7:32pm

    I don’t defend many if any Dems, but Joe wasn’t that bad and he sure is a heck of a lot sharper on foreign policy than most Dems I have seen in recent years. His experience will be missed in this regard.

    Report Post » ChiefGeorge  
    • Eastremontave
      Posted on January 20, 2011 at 7:56am

      What are the chances we in CT will elect another senator who will defend Israel. Goodbye to the only Democrat I ever voted for, once to boot [Weiker]sic, and once to supress [Lamont]sicer.

      Report Post »  
  • Blight14
    Posted on January 19, 2011 at 3:19pm

    I guess this *&^%^ has already pilfered, stolen, etc enough to last out his days in Tel Aviv………

    Report Post »  
  • curtmavi38
    Posted on January 19, 2011 at 2:58pm

    We need to elect someone in his place that has principles, one who will not condon the killing of babies because it’s inconvinent. I will say Joe was a complete disappointment. Maybe now he will have time to reflect on his life and think about all those little babies.mehflorida

    Report Post »  
  • vehoae
    Posted on January 19, 2011 at 2:57pm

    Now — if his act-alike compadre’ on the other side of the isle (McCain) would just do likewise!

    Report Post »  
  • Oregonpapa
    Posted on January 19, 2011 at 2:43pm

    One more step toward restoring liberty.

    Report Post »  
  • code green
    Posted on January 19, 2011 at 2:40pm

    Don’t blame Joe a bit .He wouldn’t be able to serve anyway. The sky is falling , the sky is falling, in 2012 .

    Report Post »  
  • rfycom
    Posted on January 19, 2011 at 2:16pm

    Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.

    Report Post »  
  • Ghandi was a Republican
    Posted on January 19, 2011 at 1:27pm

    He will announce a Presidential run. Replace Biden as VP…

    Report Post » Ghandi was a Republican  
    • snowleopard3200 {cat folk art}
      Posted on January 19, 2011 at 1:55pm

      Good point. Very good point indeed.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • Clive
      Posted on January 19, 2011 at 2:03pm

      thats funny. cmon, nobody likes joe lieberman. if biden leaves, obama would get someone that polls better, rather than someone who is basically hated on both sides.

      Report Post »  
    • lcam67
      Posted on January 19, 2011 at 5:50pm

      @ snowleopard
      good question. of course we had another famous senator. chris dodd. that hurts even to write. and now we have dick ( i would sue my own mother ) blumenthal. connecticut is so unfriendly towards business. blue state indeed my friend. keep up with the great comments. together the light only gets brighter.

      Report Post » lcam67  
    • Eastremontave
      Posted on January 20, 2011 at 7:48am

      Oh that’ll go over big with the muslim “community”.

      Report Post »  
  • numbers
    Posted on January 19, 2011 at 1:15pm

    Sometimes Joe sounded level-headed, sometimes liberal, but always whiny. Let‘s hope he didn’t quit to run for President again.

    Report Post »  
  • lcam67
    Posted on January 19, 2011 at 1:14pm

    joe has flipped more than a pancake at ihop. i live in connecticut i know …..

    Report Post » lcam67  
    • RobertCA
      Posted on January 19, 2011 at 1:29pm

      ok ok bye bye , are you gonna do this everyday from now ’till 2012 just go who cares , people are loosing their jobs left & right , so who cares about you .

      Report Post » Robert-CA  
    • snowleopard3200 {cat folk art}
      Posted on January 19, 2011 at 1:55pm

      @Lcam67

      How did the state ever put up with the guy? I mean, were those running against him THAT bad indeed that everyone else voted for Lieberman instead?

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • Diamondback
    Posted on January 19, 2011 at 12:57pm

    Don’t worry Leiberman. WE THE PEOPLE will not forget anyone that’s “served” in the Congress during the last several decades and helped bring our country down.

    You and all the others can retire. But we won’t forget when the citizen committees are eventually formed to bring justice to the traitors to our country/people, liberties and constitution.

    Report Post »  
  • Dustyluv
    Posted on January 19, 2011 at 12:53pm

    So long Joe…don’t let the door hit you in the sorry a@@!!!

    Report Post »  
    • Bob Holland
      Posted on January 19, 2011 at 1:10pm

      See! God does answer prayers.

      Report Post »  
    • @leftfighter
      Posted on January 19, 2011 at 1:12pm

      Can say I agree. Surely, Lieberman has been the lone voice of the Center in the Dem party for years.

      Yes, he’s voted on the Dem side more often than not, but he’s a Dem. The alternative to him are (and I suspect the next person to hold that seat will be) flaming Socialists.

      Report Post » @leftfighter  
    • Bob Holland
      Posted on January 19, 2011 at 1:14pm

      Now I need to continue in prayer that God would inspire political leaders to abide by constitutional law. And if they will not, that they will be removed. I love this.

      Report Post »  
    • snowleopard3200 {cat folk art}
      Posted on January 19, 2011 at 1:22pm

      Good luck Joe, Good bye, and Good vacation – be sure not to come back. This will be one less of the left we need to deal with, even if he was more centre than most of the Democrats. We now need to make sure other progressives and lunatic fringe members do not get into his place in the 2012 votes.

      http://www.artinphoenix.com/gallery/grimm

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • Curator_JDR
      Posted on January 19, 2011 at 1:33pm

      Joe, your season has been up for a long time. Isn’t there also something in the bible about “woe to those who call good evil and evil good”. I’m sure as a Phrogressive Democrat you will take full responsibility for your shortcomings and not blame the American people who are too stupid to not want to have YOU around, sir.

      Learn about the Progressive-dada (their true name) infiltration of our institutions and culture. We have them to thank for Britney Spears’ crotch shots. http://www.marcrubin.com/dada.ivnu (watch part 2 first)

      Report Post » Curator_JDR  
    • Clive
      Posted on January 19, 2011 at 2:02pm

      lieberman succeeded in making enemies on the right and left. i guess thats probably admirable in some way… but… i still don’t like him.

      Report Post »  
    • Cobra Blue
      Posted on January 19, 2011 at 2:05pm

      Can’t handle the heat in the kitchen so he quits. Whatever the reason…glad to see you go. Enjoy your bread pudding.

      Report Post »  
    • Cemoto78
      Posted on January 19, 2011 at 2:18pm

      Good riddance.

      I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the
      government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of
      taking care of them.
      Thomas Jefferson

      Report Post » Cemoto78  
    • Oil_Robb
      Posted on January 19, 2011 at 3:45pm

      Good luck…..hope you find a comfy fence to sit on …….you self centered phony

      Report Post »  
    • noblevegas
      Posted on January 19, 2011 at 3:46pm

      He lost the 2006 Primary, ran as an independent, and won with less than 50% of the vote. Could have seen this one coming a mile away!

      Report Post »  
    • Sam I am
      Posted on January 19, 2011 at 4:07pm

      Too bad.
      Yeah, he was a democrat, but he had standards.
      I knew what he believed.

      Report Post » Secret Squirrel  
    • Blackhawk1
      Posted on January 19, 2011 at 4:44pm

      That’s the thing with Liberal Standards, you never know which ones they uphold on any given day.

      Report Post » Blackhawk1  
    • DisillusionedDaily
      Posted on January 19, 2011 at 8:23pm

      Another progressive legislator sees the handwriting on the wall!

      Report Post » DisillusionedDaily  

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