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Lieberman decided not to run for re-election in 2012.

Lieberman decided not to run for re-election in 2012.

==Early Life==

==Early life==

Joseph Lieberman was born in [[Stamford]], [[Connecticut]], on February 24, 1942, where he attended local public schools. He graduated from [[Yale University]] in 1964 and later received a law degree from Yale Law School in 1967. Lieberman served in the Connecticut State Senate from 1970 until 1980 and was majority leader from 1974 until 1980. He later served as the [[attorney general]] of Connecticut in 1983, and from 1986 until 1988. In 1988, he was elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate and has been reelected three times.

Joseph Lieberman was born in [[Stamford]], [[Connecticut]], on February 24, 1942, where he attended local public schools. He graduated from [[Yale University]] in 1964 and later received a law degree from Yale Law School in 1967. Lieberman served in the Connecticut State Senate from 1970 until 1980 and was majority leader from 1974 until 1980. He later served as the [[attorney general]] of Connecticut in 1983, and from 1986 until 1988. In 1988, he was elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate and has been reelected three times.

Lieberman has been heavly involved in [[Democratic Party]] politics. In August 2000, he was selected as [[Al Gore]]'s Vice-Presidential running mate, making him the first [[Jew]]ish candidate for high executive office. The Gore/Lieberman ticket won the popular vote but lost the Electoral College. Lieberman later criticized Al Gore for adopting a populist theme during their 2000 campaign, and stated he had objected to Gore's "people vs. the powerful" message, believing it was not the best strategy for Democrats to use to win the election. On January 13, 2003, Lieberman announced his intention to seek the Democratic nomination as a candidate in the 2004 presidential election. Throughout the campaign he claimed that he was picking up "Joementum." Lieberman withdrew his candidacy on February 3, 2004 after failing to win any of the five primaries or two caucuses held that day.

Lieberman has been heavly involved in [[Democratic Party]] politics. In August 2000, he was selected as [[Al Gore]]'s Vice-Presidential running mate, making him the first [[Jew]]ish candidate for high executive office. The Gore/Lieberman ticket won the popular vote but lost the Electoral College. Lieberman later criticized Al Gore for adopting a populist theme during their 2000 campaign, and stated he had objected to Gore's "people vs. the powerful" message, believing it was not the best strategy for Democrats to use to win the election. On January 13, 2003, Lieberman announced his intention to seek the Democratic nomination as a candidate in the 2004 presidential election. Throughout the campaign he claimed that he was picking up "Joementum." Lieberman withdrew his candidacy on February 3, 2004 after failing to win any of the five primaries or two caucuses held that day.

==United States Senate==  

==United States Senate==

Lieberman gained the reputation as being a moderate Democrat, one with a conservative Judeo-Christian moral code. He was the first Democrat to challenge [[Bill Clinton]] for having an affair with [[Monica Lewinsky]]. However, he voted against removing Clinton from office. Lieberman is Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.  

Lieberman gained the reputation as being a moderate Democrat, one with a conservative Judeo-Christian moral code. He was the first Democrat to challenge [[Bill Clinton]] for having an affair with [[Monica Lewinsky]]. However, he voted against removing Clinton from office. Lieberman is Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.  

He once described himself as an Independent, saying "I agree more often than not with Democrats on domestic policy. I agree more often than not with Republicans on foreign and defense policy." Because of his support for the [[War in Iraq]], he toyed with the idea of switching his affiliation to [[Republican]], although he still has a [[liberal]] record on many social issues, such as [[abortion]]. He voted against the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act which was enacted in 2003, and he supports availability of the abortion pill RU-486.  He has a 100% pro-choice voting record, according to [[NARAL]].[http://ontheissues.org/Joseph_Lieberman.htm]  Along with [[Hillary Clinton]], he was one of the handful of Senate sponsors of the [[Freedom of Choice Act]].

He once described himself as an Independent, saying "I agree more often than not with Democrats on domestic policy. I agree more often than not with Republicans on foreign and defense policy." Because of his support for the [[War in Iraq]], he toyed with the idea of switching his affiliation to [[Republican]], although he still has a [[liberal]] record on many social issues, such as [[abortion]]. He voted against the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act which was enacted in 2003, and he supports availability of the abortion pill RU-486.  He has a 100% pro-choice voting record, according to [[NARAL]].[http://ontheissues.org/Joseph_Lieberman.htm]  Along with [[Hillary Clinton]], he was one of the handful of Senate sponsors of the [[Freedom of Choice Act]].

==Senate reelection, 2006==  

==Senate reelection, 2006==

[[Ned Lamont]] challenged Lieberman in the primary for his Senate reelection. Lamont won the primary but Lieberman then ran as an independent, creating the "Connecticut for Lieberman" party, and won the general election. He is now an independent who caucuses with the Democrats.

[[Ned Lamont]] challenged Lieberman in the primary for his Senate reelection. Lamont won the primary but Lieberman then ran as an independent, creating the "Connecticut for Lieberman" party, and won the general election. He is now an independent who caucuses with the Democrats.

==2008 Endorsement==

==2008 Endorsement==

Senator Joe Lieberman crossed party lines to endorse Republican candidate [[John McCain]] for president of the United States in 2008.<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/12/17/mccain.endorsements/index.html McCain endorsements]</ref>  Because of his endorsement, he did not attend the Democratic Convention in Denver (it was the first time he missed the convention since first attending as a delegate of Representative Morris Udall in 1976). <ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/14/us/politics/14lieberman.html?bl&ex=1216267200&en=899168b17cc46ce6&ei=5087%0A Lieberman Finds Middle a Tricky Path]</ref>

Senator Joe Lieberman crossed party lines to endorse Republican candidate [[John McCain]] for president of the United States in 2008.<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/12/17/mccain.endorsements/index.html McCain endorsements]</ref>  Because of his endorsement, he did not attend the Democratic Convention in Denver (it was the first time he missed the convention since first attending as a delegate of Representative Morris Udall in 1976).<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/14/us/politics/14lieberman.html?bl&ex=1216267200&en=899168b17cc46ce6&ei=5087%0A Lieberman Finds Middle a Tricky Path]</ref>

==External Links==

==External links==

*[http://lieberman.senate.gov/ Official Website]

*[http://lieberman.senate.gov/ Official Website]

*[http://ontheissues.org/Joseph_Lieberman.htm Lieberman On the Issues]

*[http://ontheissues.org/Joseph_Lieberman.htm Lieberman On the Issues]

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[[Category:Abortion Advocates]]

[[Category:Abortion Advocates]]