Lieberman came tantalizingly close to winning the vice presidency in the contentious 2000 presidential contest that was decided by a 537-vote margin victory for George W. Bush in Florida.
No Labels Founding Chairman and former Sen. Joe Lieberman, who nearly won the vice presidency 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 Wednesday.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.
McCain was leaning strongly toward choosing Lieberman for the ticket as the 2008 GOP convention neared, but he chose Sarah Palin at the last minute after “ferocious” blowback from conservatives over Lieberman’s liberal record, according to Steve Schmidt, who managed McCain’s campaign. During his final Senate speech, Lieberman urged Congress to look beyond party lines and partisan rancor to break Washington gridlock.
Privately, some Democrats were often less charitable about 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. “When the race was over, we stayed in touch as friends in the best traditions of American democracy. He will be missed,” he added.
Longtime friend and former chairman of the Connecticut Democratic Party, Nick Balletto said many rank-and-file Democrats were unhappy with Lieberman but credited the former senator for dedicating his life to public service and the state. Lieberman’s speech at the 2008 GOP presidential nominating convention criticizing Obama, the Democratic presidential nominee, struck a deep nerve with many Democrats.
After the election, there was speculation Senate Democrats might strip Lieberman of his chairmanship of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee as payback. Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., chair of the Judiciary Committee, was among those who said Lieberman should lose his chairmanship. Leahy branded Lieberman’s attacks on Obama as “beyond the pale.”
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Former Sen. Joe Lieberman, Democrats’ vice-presidential nominee in 2000, dies at 82Montgomery, Alabama
Read more »
Former Sen. Joe Lieberman, Democrats’ VP pick in 2000, dead at 82Former Sen. Joe Lieberman nearly won the vice presidency on Democrat Al Gore’s ticket in the disputed 2000 White House race. Eight years later, he came close to joining the GOP ticket as John…
Read more »
Former Sen. Joe Lieberman, Democrats’ VP pick in 2000, dead at 82Here are some of the leaders, newsmakers, sports legends and entertainment greats who have died so far this year.
Read more »
Former Sen. Joe Lieberman, Democrats’ VP pick in 2000, dead at 82Former U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, who nearly won the vice presidency on the Democratic ticket with Al Gore in 2000, has died.
Read more »
Former Sen. Joe Lieberman, Democrats’ VP pick in 2000, dead at 82Former Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut has died, according to his family
Read more »
Former Sen. Joe Lieberman, Democrats’ VP pick in 2000, dead at 82Here are some of the leaders, newsmakers, sports legends and entertainment greats who have died so far this year.
Read more »