January 19, 2011 1:39 PM

Joe Lieberman Urges Unity as He Prepares for "Next Chapter"

By
Lucy Madison
Topics
Congress ,
Campaign 2012

Sen. Joseph Lieberman, I-Conn., smiles as he announces that he has decided to retire and not seek a fifth term in 2012 in Stamford, Conn., Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2011. From left, is Lieberman's wife, Hadassah, Maddy Wisse, Lieberman's granddaughter, Rebecca Lieberman-Wisse and Tennessee Lieberman, Lieberman's daughters, and Matthew Lieberman, son.

(Credit: AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)
In a Stamford press conference on Wednesday, Independent Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut confirmed reports that he will not seek re-election in 2012, joking that he had promised his wife he'd leave the Senate "when Regis leaves television."

"This was not an easy decision for me to make ...but I know it is the right decision," Lieberman said.

"I have decided it is time to turn the page to a new chapter, and so I will not be a candidate for re-election to a fifth term in the U.S. Senate in 2012," he continued. "I have loved serving in the Senate and I feel good about what I have accomplished. But I know it is the right decision and, I must say, I am excited about beginning a new chapter of life with new opportunities."

Lieberman, flanked by his wife, children, and grandchildren, pledged to continue to work for his constituents in the coming years - and said that his decision to retire could perhaps help him serve them more effectively.

"I do not intend today to be the end of my career in public service," Lieberman said. "Having made this decision not to run enables me to spend the next two years in the Senate devoting the full measure of my energy and attention to getting things done for Connecticut and for our country."

An independent who caucuses with Democrats, Lieberman would likely have faced an uphill battle for re-election: he has over the years alienated Democrats and Republicans alike with his moderate views on a number of issues, including gay rights (which he supports), the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq (of which he was a strong advocate) and the 2008 presidential bid of Republican John McCain (for which he actively campaigned). In 2006, Lieberman lost the Senate Democratic primary to Ned Lamont, and proceeded to run - and win - as an Independent candidate.

"I know that some people have said that if I ran for reelection, it would be a difficult campaign for me. So what else is new? It probably would be a difficult campaign for me," Lieberman acknowledged. "But I have run many difficult campaigns before."

He added: "I've never shied from a good fight and I never will."

In his remarks, the 68-year-old, four-term senator emphasized his long-touted belief in putting the interests of voters ahead those of political partisanship.

"Along the way, I have not always fit comfortably into conventional political boxes--Democrat or Republican, liberal or conservative. I have always thought that my first responsibility is not to serve a political party but to serve my constituents, my state, and my country, and then to work across party lines to make sure good things get done for them," Lieberman said.

Noting that his political career was inspired by John F. Kennedy, Lieberman said the two had fought for many of the same things: "service to country, support of civil rights and social justice, pro-growth economic and tax policies, and a strong national defense - so maybe that means JFK's politics wouldn't fit neatly into today's partisan political boxes any more either," Lieberman said.

He also urged for unity among Congress.

"Whatever the partisan or policy differences that divide us, they are much less important than the shared values and dreams that unite us and that require us to work together to make progress for all," Lieberman said. "To me, that is what public service and leadership is all about."

In a statement following Lieberman's announcement, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chairman Senator Patty Murray pledged that his seat would "stay Democratic in 2012."

"For 22 years, Joe Lieberman has been an independent voice for the people of Connecticut and has served in the Senate with distinction," Murray wrote. "Democrats will win this seat next November. Connecticut is one of the few states in the country that withstood fierce Republican headwinds last cycle. With President Obama at the top of the ticket and a galvanized Democratic electorate, this seat will stay Democratic in 2012."

Lieberman is the third Senator so far who has said he will not run for re-election in 2012: North Dakota Democratic Senator Kent Conrad  announced his impending retirement yesterday, and Republican Senator from Texas, Kay Bailey Hutchison, made a similar announcement last week. 


Add a Comment
by Red_feather January 20, 2011 10:30 AM EST
He will NOT be missed.
Reply to this comment
by stn_sage January 20, 2011 12:43 AM EST
What's the next phase, retirement in Tel Aviv?
One commenter said people seemed to have a problem with him because he WAS middle-of-the-road! But, that's not quite right. What many people don't like about him, is, he usually takes the position of the majority of the public, then, miraculously changes his mind and significantly alters his position, or changes it entirely! This seems to have to do with campaign contributions. At least we won't have to worry about that too much longer!
Reply to this comment
by bradkt1 January 19, 2011 7:25 PM EST
I will NOT miss Joe Lieberman...

...not one bit.

He served his two masters well...

...Israel and the insurance industry.
Reply to this comment
by Arkansasnative January 19, 2011 3:30 PM EST
Lieberman leaves Congress as a lucky man to paraphrase the headline Fox News gives his decision to give up in the face of such widespread local and national disgust with the man. If he was the first Orthodox Jew in Congress I congratulate him. But his legacy will be seen as being that of a man who consciously and/or unconsciously put Israeli policies (whatever they were that year) ahead of any concerns for the US who's Senate he served in. Sort of like some Catholics who tow the Pope's line regardless of who the pope is and what that pope stands for. And Popes vary from Pius X11 to John Paul II to Mr. Ratzinger today. (Excuse me your holiness) That was the box he fit himself into. JFK, the first Catholic president made a point of not being seen as a puppet of the Vatican. Lieberman never bothered to draw a line between himself and Jerusalum, and in this post-Holocaust world was never called on it. But he did the cause closest to his heart much more harm than good by failing to use his influence in Congress and in Israel to undercut the policies that are now destroying the legitamacy of the Jewish state as they have already destroyed the legitamacy of the "peace process". There is no process except the growth of apartheid and second class citizenship in the state Israel rules, what our Constitution once termed the 3/5 of a man rule., ie slave counted as 3/5 of a man in apportioning representation among the states, though ofcourse there was no question of their voting. Israel is going one better. These 3/5 people apparently don't legally live anywhere in that state, they don't need to be counted to apportion voting power in districts because they legally don't exist. The peace process, once carried the hope of peace and justice. Now outside certain elites in a couple countries it is merely a cheap shower curtain hiding theft and agrandizement by one people over another. Thank you Mr. Lieberman, that is the legacy you leave for a future, if there is one, when the future will delve into the disaster that we two nations willing walked into.
Reply to this comment
by Arkansasnative January 19, 2011 3:26 PM EST
Lieberman leaves Congress as a lucky man to paraphrase the headline Fox News gives his decision to give up in the face of such widespread local and national disgust with the man. If he was the first Orthodox Jew in Congress I congratulate him. But his legacy will be seen as being that of a man who consciously and/or unconsciously put Israeli policies (whatever they were that year) ahead of any concerns for the US who's Senate he served in. Sort of like some Catholics who tow the Pope's line regardless of who the pope is and what that pope stands for. And Popes vary from Pius X11 to John Paul II to Mr. Ratzinger today. (Excuse me your holiness) That was the box he fit himself into. JFK, the first Catholic president made a point of not being seen as a puppet of the Vatican. Lieberman never bothered to draw a line between himself and Jerusalum, and in this post-Holocaust world was never called on it. But he did the cause closest to his heart much more harm than good by failing to use his influence in Congress and in Israel to undercut the policies that are now destroying the legitamacy of the Jewish state as they have already destroyed the legitamacy of the "peace process". There is no process except the growth of apartheid and second class citizenship in the state Israel rules, what our Constitution once termed the 3/5 of a man rule., ie slave counted as 3/5 of a man in apportioning representation among the states, though ofcourse there was no question of their voting. Israel is going one better. These 3/5 people apparently don't legally live anywhere in that state, they don't need to be counted to apportion voting power in districts because they legally don't exist. The peace process, once carried the hope of peace and justice. Now outside certain elites in a couple countries it is merely a cheap shower curtain hiding theft and agrandizement by one people over another. Thank you Mr. Lieberman, that is the legacy you leave for a future, if there is one, when the future will delve into the disaster that we two nations willing walked into.
Reply to this comment
by bubeard January 19, 2011 2:01 PM EST
Remember how all the Jews were all home from work sick or otherwise hiding in their basements the morning of 9-11-01? When they all start vanishing from public life and going to spend time with their families in their basements get ready for something bad to happen. They must just have a sixth sense. uh huh
Reply to this comment
by mary-miami January 19, 2011 1:56 PM EST
Lieberman is a hypocrite. I am glad he's retiring.
Reply to this comment
.

Follow Political Hotsheet

Scroll Left
Scroll Right More »
CBS News on Facebook
  • Building You a Better Morning

  • CBS This Morning

    "CBS This Morning," anchored by Charlie Rose, Gayle King and Erica Hill, airs weekdays from 7 to 9 a.m. ET and at the same time in other time zones.
    Learn more...