In 2000, he was the Democratic nominee for Vice-President while running with Al Gore. And in 2008, he was nearly the Republican nominee for Vice-President to run with John McCain. Now the New England Democrat turned Independent is ready to return to private life.
Today, Independent Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, will announce that he is leaving politics and retiring from the senate. Lieberman, who has served 4 full terms in the U.S. Senate, is expected to quote Eccliastes and say that to everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven — and that after 24 years he thinks it is time. The 68-year-old Lieberman won his 4th term in 2006 as an Independent after losing the Democratic primary to businessman Ned Lamont, although he continues to caucus and vote mostly with Senate Democrats.
Connecticut Democrats have been furious with Lieberman since his appearance at the Republican National Convention in 2008 and his endorsement of GOP presidential candidate Sen. John McCain. They’ve also been strongly critical of his support of the Iraq war. Political pundits believe Lieberman saw the writing on the wall and realized his reelection bid this time around could be doomed to failure, so it was best for him to step aside now and on his own terms.
