Joe Lieberman

Joseph Isadore Lieberman, (born February 24, 1942) is a Democratic U.S. senator from Connecticut. In 2000, he ran for Vice President as Al Gore's running mate on the Democratic ticket, making him the first Jewish person in the United States of America to be nominated by a major party to run for that office. He ran for President in 2004, finishing second in the Delaware primary before dropping out of the race.

Related Topics:
February 24 - 1942 - Democratic - U.S. senator - Connecticut - 2000 - Vice President - Al Gore - Jew - United States of America - Party

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Lieberman is a former chair of the Democratic Leadership Council, an influential collection of centrist and conservative Democrats, and is considered to be one of the most conservative of prominent Democratic politicians. Lieberman's affinity for the right-wing has prompted his liberal colleagues to characterize him as a "Republicrat". He has been a strong supporter of the U.S.-led 2003 invasion of Iraq and has criticized the left of his party (including some of his opponents for the Democratic nomination for the 2004 presidential election) for their opposition to the war. Lieberman argued that the Democratic Party needed a candidate who was strong on national defense to compete against George W. Bush. On some issues, such as abortion, gun control and the environment, Lieberman follows the positions of the Democratic party mainstream.

Related Topics:
Democratic Leadership Council - Republicrat - 2003 invasion of Iraq - George W. Bush

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Lieberman was born in Stamford, Connecticut and attended public schools there. He received his bachelor's degree from Yale in 1964 and his law degree from Yale Law School in 1967. Following graduating from Yale, he worked in the prestigious New Haven law firm Wiggin & Dana. Lieberman was elected to the Connecticut State Senate in 1970 and served there for 10 years, including the last 6 as Majority Leader. From 1982 to 1988, he served as Connecticut's 21st Attorney General.

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Stamford - Connecticut - Yale - 1964 - Yale Law School - 1967 - Wiggin & Dana - Connecticut State Senate - 1970 - 1982 - 1988 - Attorney General

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Lieberman continues in the tradition of Washington Senator Henry "Scoop" Jackson, who advocated a hawkish foreign policy and a liberal domestic program. Lieberman is one of the Senate's leading advocates for both regime change in Iraq and aggressive action to combat global warming.

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