January 18, 2011
Lieberman reportedly to announce he’s done
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Joe Lieberman
U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman reportedly will not run for re-election.
Lieberman (I-Conn.), who became the first Jewish nominee on a major presidential ticket when Al Gore chose him as his running mate in 2000, will announce his decision Wednesday in Hartford, Politico reported.
Lieberman lost favor with Democrats over his support for the Iraq War. He lost the Connecticut primary in 2006 but ran as an independent and won.
He caucused with the Democrats, but backed the presidential campaign of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) in 2008.
Lieberman’s overall ratings are low, Politico reported.
The four-term senator’s decision comes after months of speculation on the political future of the independent Democrat.
“After many thoughtful conversations with family and friends over the last several months, Sen. Lieberman made a decision about his future over the holidays which he plans to announce on Wednesday,” said Erika Masonhall, a Lieberman spokeswoman who declined to comment further.
Lieberman is scheduled to speak at 12:30 p.m. at the Marriott Hotel in Stamford, Conn. Last month, he told MSNBC that if he ran, it would probably be as an independent.
Lieberman’s announcement comes on the heels of Tuesday’s declaration by Susan Bysiewicz, the former Connecticut secretary of state, that she plans to enter the 2012 Democratic primary field for Lieberman’s Senate seat. Rep. Chris Murphy also has expressed interest in the Democratic primary.
Read more at Politico.com.
