Former Senator Joe Lieberman (Conn.) has passed away at the age of 82. He was the initial Jewish vice-presidential nominee of a large party when Al Gore chose him as his running mate in the 2000 election.
His family announced that he passed away on Wednesday in New York City, with his wife Hadassah and other family members by his side, following complications from a fall.
His funeral will take place at the Congregation Agudath Sholom in Stamford, Conn., his hometown.
Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), who succeeded Lieberman in the Senate, expressed surprise at his sudden passing.
“In an era of political carbon copies, Joe Lieberman was a singularity. One of one. He fought and won for what he believed was right and for the state he adored. My thoughts are with Hadassah and the entire family,” he said.
Lieberman was one of the most conservative members of the Senate Democratic caucus and rose to national prominence in 1998 by admonishing then-President Clinton on the Senate floor over his affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky, labeling his conduct as “disgraceful” and disappointing.
Lieberman’s independent inclinations influenced Gore’s decision to choose him as a running mate, helping the then-vice president create some distance from the controversies of the Clinton administration.
The Connecticut senator was recognized as a supporter of the defense industry, which is strongly established in his home state, and advocated for a robust national security policy.
His strong advocacy for the 2003 invasion of Iraq later derailed his own pursuit of the Democratic presidential nomination and ultimately led to a significant rift with liberals in his party.
He was defeated in the 2006 Senate Democratic primary by Greenwich businessman Ned Lamont but secured reelection for a fourth term by presenting himself as an “Independent Democrat.”
He campaigned for Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.) against Barack Obama in the 2008 election. McCain even heavily considered selecting Lieberman as his running mate before opting for Alaska Governor Sarah Palin instead.
DEVELOPING.
