A Returned Seat to Senate Democrats
11.27.2012
Retiring self described independent Joe Lieberman of Connecticut provided his place on the state ballot in the recent election. During an esteemed career of 24 years, the once Democrat turned independent championed himself on sensible bipartisanship but was viewed as a thorn in the side to many entrenched legislators who often needed his Senate vote. Likely it was fear of loosing a reelection this year that influenced the retirement decision when he made an announcement early last year.
His 2006 Senate race may have proven to be a warning signal to him as he lost out during the primary to opponent Ned Lamont but only to regather himself and claim election victory as an independent.
Connecticut being largely democratic has seriously waned in their support likely due to Lieberman's frequency in taking positions with Republicans. During the early showdowns of the Obama health care reform, as supporters were clamoring for sixty super majority votes, he held out. More recently in taking the position of fiscal concern, he derided the expanded cost to the government as his reason in opposing Obamacare.
Many claim that he has shown to be an advocate for the insurance industry as it's big business in Connecticut and has provided large contributions to his public office. Lieberman has regularly refuted any pandering though to their agenda.
His advocacy in major foreign defense policies plays a pivotal role in government because he is one of three members on the influential Homeland Security Committee alongside Republicans John McCain of Arizona and Lyndsay Graham of South Carolina.
Discouraged liberals took aim at his stance in President Bush's 2006 decision for not declaring a time frame on the Iraqi war after many democrats had grown intolerant of the floundering efforts. The committee's often hawkish ideology for national defense has strongly supported the Middle East war effort and shared sentiments with Israeli about the extent of the Iranian, emboldening some democrats.
Other defining political stances of Lieberman over the years include serving as Al Gore's running mate in 2000 when policies on the environment and a larger tax burden for the wealthier class were high on the agenda.
Juxtaposing though in 2008, he threw momentum behind trusted committee member McCain during his presidential bid after Joe himself had sought a failed democratic primary bid. His replacement in the Senate will be the three time democratic House Representative Christopher Murphy. As for the homeland security committee, Senator Kelly Ayotte will take over with an initial agenda of forming a special investigation on the deadly September attacks on the Benghazi Embassy.