Joe Lieberman, the first Jewish vice-presidential nominee of a major party, passed away at the age of 82 due to complications from a fall in New York. His wife Hadassah and family members were by his side at the time. Lieberman’s peak political moment came in 2000 when he was chosen as the running mate for Democratic presidential nominee Al Gore. Although the election was eventually decided by the Supreme Court in favor of George W. Bush, Lieberman saw his selection as a historic breakthrough for Jewish Americans.
While Lieberman aligned with mainstream Democratic views on issues like abortion and economic policy, his hawkish stance on foreign policy post-9/11 set him apart from many in his own party. He strongly supported the US invasion of Iraq in 2003, a position that put him at odds with fellow Democrats who opposed the conflict. In 2004, Lieberman ran for the Democratic presidential nomination but failed to gain traction, further distancing himself from the party’s core voters when he refused to denounce the war in Iraq. He also lost the Democratic primary for his Senate seat in 2006 but won reelection as an independent.
In 2008, Lieberman drew even more ire from Democrats when he attended the Republican National Convention in support of his friend John McCain, the Republican presidential nominee that year. Despite calling Barack Obama a “gifted and eloquent young man,” Lieberman criticized his lack of experience and suggested he was not fit to be president. McCain later expressed regret for not selecting Lieberman as his vice presidential nominee instead of Sarah Palin, whose selection initially energized the Republican base but ultimately hurt the campaign due to her lack of experience.
Lieberman’s actions in the 2008 election further distanced him from the Democratic Party, as many perceived his support for McCain and criticisms of Obama as acts of treachery. However, Lieberman remained true to his independent streak and continued to serve in the Senate until his passing. His legacy as a trailblazer for Jewish Americans in politics and as a voice for moderate views will continue to be remembered. McCain, who eulogized Lieberman after his passing, later expressed his regret for not choosing Lieberman as his running mate in the 2008 election. This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
