Sen. Lieberman’s Passing Marks ‘End of an Era’

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The end of an era.

That was the stunned, consensus reaction of historians, pundits, and D.C. powerbrokers to Wednesday’s report of the death of longtime Democrat-turned-independent Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut.

Lieberman, 82, died Wednesday in New York City due to complications from a fall, according to a statement issued by his family.

Widely revered on both sides of the aisle for his genteel, thoughtful demeanor, Lieberman proved utterly fearless in the Senate in defense of threats to U.S. allies and America’s national security.

Unlike other political leaders navigating today’s era of hyperpartisan rancor, Lieberman’s contributions were lauded Wednesday across the political spectrum:

“RIP, Joe Lieberman,” conservative talk radio host Mark Levin posted on X, formerly Twitter. “One of the last true Democrat moderates and thoroughly decent man.”
“Joe Lieberman was a singularity,” wrote Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn, in a post on X. “One of one. He fought and won for what he believed was right, and for the state he adored.”
Political strategist and “The View” co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin commented on X, “The loss of Joe Lieberman feels like the end of an era. He was a true statesman who decried toxic partisanship.”
Longtime NBC anchor and commentator Andrea Mitchell posted on X, “Shocked to hear about the death of a lovely man I covered for years former Senator Joe Lieberman. I flew to Munich Security Forum with him last month – still committed to his values and supporting Ukraine.”

In a political epoch marked by political correctness and conformity, Joseph Isadore Lieberman blazed a trail of impassioned independence in the U.S. Senate and throughout the marbled halls of power inside the Beltway.

He was first elected to represent Connecticut in the U.S. Senate in 1988, in part thanks to outspoken support from conservative icon William F. Buckley. The “Firing Line” host endorsed Lieberman over his Republican opponent in the National Review.

In the Senate it was soon evident Lieberman’s gentle demeanor was matched by his readiness to take a bold, leading role whenever he considered it necessary.

As one example, he was the first nationally prominent Democrat to blast then-President Bill Clinton’s indiscretions, describing his behavior with intern Monica Lewinsky as “immoral” and “inappropriate.” He would later vote to acquit Clinton of impeachment charges based on allegations of perjury and obstruction of justice.

In the Senate, Lieberman could often be seen standing shoulder-to-shoulder with his longtime Republican ally and friend, the late Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., especially on national security issues and the staunch defense of Israel.

In 2000, Lieberman became the first Jewish vice-presidential nominee of either party, joining then-Vice President Al Gore’s campaign against Republican George W. Bush.

The Gore-Lieberman ticket came within 537 votes in Florida of winning the election, but the U.S. Supreme Court stepped in and halted ongoing Democratic efforts to count more votes — a historically controversial decision that opened the door to the Bush presidency.

Despite the contentious election, Lieberman became a passionate defender of Bush’s post-9/11 military expeditions into Afghanistan and Iraq.

Lieberman’s willingness to cross party lines on national security issues frustrated his party’s increasingly progressive base; and in 2006, he lost his bid to win the Democratic primary election.

In an extraordinary display of popular support, however, the incumbent was able to mount a campaign as an independent. A host of conservatives including former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani backed his campaign, and Lieberman won reelection.

In 2008, during then-Sen. Barack Obama’s presidential run against McCain, Lieberman blasted what he called Obama’s “naïve” worldview. In a speech at the Republican National Convention that year, he remarked, “Eloquence is no substitute for a record.”

In an exclusive Newsmax interview in October 2008, Lieberman said of Obama, “I believe he’s naïve to think that people like [Iran’s leaders] will somehow become America’s friends by talking to them — a warm embrace and a cup of tea. It’s not going to work that way.”

Lieberman even suggested to Newsmax at the time that Obama was “not ready for prime time.”

McCain reportedly gave serious consideration to making Lieberman his vice-presidential running mate that year, before advisers persuaded him that putting a Democrat on the ticket could damage his standing with the party’s base. McCain instead chose Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

In the years that followed, Lieberman would become increasingly disenchanted with the growing political partisanship in D.C. and his party’s leftward lurch. His refusal to kowtow to party over principle ultimately took a political toll.

Lieberman decided to step down from the Senate in January 2013 rather than face another uphill battle to win reelection. In his last speech, alarmed by the growing polarization in Washington, Lieberman urged his colleagues to find “partners from the opposite party” that they could work with. He advised fellow senators that bipartisanship was “desperately needed” — a warning that was destined to go unheeded.

It was a sentiment he’d revisit in his 2021 book, “The Centrist Solution: How We Made Government Work and Can Make It Work Again.”

In a telling analysis of the United States’ current-day political struggles, he wrote, “America’s Freedom, security, and prosperity depend on a healthy political center … that avoids chaotic and self-destructive extremes.”

Conservative publisher and former presidential candidate Steve Forbes characterized news of Lieberman’s death as a “sad, sad moment” on Wednesday evening, adding that Lieberman’s “courageous statesmanship and profound national security expertise will be greatly missed.”