What Can We Expect From Washington This Year?
Few individuals are better positioned to answer that question than Joe Lieberman, the Independent from Connecticut who has just completed 24 years in the US Senate. Widely respected by Democrats and Republicans, Lieberman is a voice of reason in our increasingly rancorous politics and a bridge builder in our frequently polarized government. He is a straight-talker with a sense of humor, and an expert on topics ranging from the economy to international relations, from national security to environmental protection
Can We Stop the Partisan Polarization that is Crippling our Government?
Senator Joe Lieberman, the Independent from Connecticut, fought the worst consequeces of hyperpartisanship in Congress for 24 years, sometimes paying dearly for his independence. Recently he told the New York Times that "the greatest obstacle the nation faces in addressing its problems is the partisan polarization of our politics which prevents us from making the principled compromises on which progress in a democracy depends. " Now retired from the Senate, Lieberman is ready to give specific examples of the ways in which partisanship has made our government dysfunctional and offer fresh ideas for making Washington work again.
What are the Biggest Strategic and Economic Threats Facing the World in the Next Year?
After 24 years in the US Senate, Joe Lieberman is recognized throughout the world as one of the most thoughtful and informed American leaders and analysts on international security and economic questions. He has traveled throughout the world and met national leaders everywhere, often with his close friend, Senator John McCain and, as a result, Lieberman has become one our most effective advocates for a bipartisan foreign policy of American leadership in the world.
On January 19, 2011, in his hometown of Stamford, Connecticut, Senator Lieberman announced his plan to retire from the United States Senate at the end of his fourth term. In his remarks he said, “I go forward with a tremendous sense of gratitude for the opportunities I have had to make a difference.”
Senator Lieberman was first elected to the United States Senate in 1988, scoring the nation's biggest political upset that year by a margin of just 10,000 votes. Six years later, he made history by winning the biggest landslide victory ever in a Connecticut Senate race, drawing 67 percent of the vote and beating his opponent by more than 350,000 votes. In 2000, Senator Lieberman was elected by another overwhelming margin to a third term.
In 2006, Senator Lieberman was elected to a fourth term as an Independent, because of the strength of his record and his accomplishments for the state. He won the general election by more than 100,000 votes. He remains committed to caucusing with Senate Democrats, but is identified as an Independent Democrat (ID-CT).
Senator Lieberman's reputation is based on a long and distinguished record on all the major issues facing our nation. Senator Lieberman was one of Congress's most influential voices on security issues. He has believed in equal opportunity for all Americans. Throughout his more than 20 years in the United States Senate, he proved himself a true environmental champion. Senator Lieberman has been a strong advocate for investing in our public schools, empowering parents, and challenging all students to meet higher academic standards. He has consistently been a vocal advocate for campaign finance reform and has written extensively on the dignity and nobility of public service.
Senator Lieberman was Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, which is responsible for oversight of the Department of Homeland Security and assuring the efficiency and effectiveness of the Federal Government. In addition, he was a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, where he is Chairman of the Subcommittee on Airland and sat on the Personnel and Seapower Subcommittees; and the Small Business Committee.
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