U.S. Senator (Connecticut)
Background Information
Lieberman practiced law during his decade-long tenure as a Connecticut state senator – a position obtained only three years after graduating, in 1967, from Yale School of Law. From 1983 to 1988, he served Connecticut as attorney general before being elected to U.S. Senate, where he remains today. Lieberman was the Democratic Party’s vice presidential bid in 2000, alongside presidential bid Al Gore.
Political Allies
14 members of Congress, including Sen. Chris Dodd and Sen. Tom Carper; Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters of Connecticut; and game show host Monty Hall
Political Fumbles
Like Gephardt, Lieberman took the minority position of his party when he supported the invasion of Iraq. Some consider him too conservative for the Democratic party.
Issues at a glance A: Occupation of Iraq B: Economy C: Environment D: Health Care E: Civil Liberties
A: Fully supported the Iraq War and has been pushing for an invasion for years. Feels Iraq must place in power qualified leaders of their choosing. America must provide physical and political security for as long as democracy is not established. Lieberman seeks resolution and restoration of democracy to the Muslim world. Yasser Arafat hinders resolution, according to Lieberman, who called for his removal from power. In 2002, Lieberman and Sen. John McCain wrote legislation developing the Department of Homeland Security. Lieberman is promoting his Service Members and Veterans Bill of Rights, which guarantees predictable deployments, competitive pay, quality education and more.
B: Lieberman supports a balanced national budget that’s within the nation’s means. During Clinton’s presidency, he supported both deficit reduction and balanced budget plans as well as the elimination of federal welfare. Technology, small business, a strong working class and affirmative action catalyze economic improvement. Lieberman held strong opposition to Bush’s tax cuts, so strong, that he proposed an alternative solution in Congress.
C: As Connecticut attorney general, Lieberman claims he battled oil companies and illegal toxic disposal. He molded Clinton-era amendments to the Clean Air Act and was rewarded for those efforts by the Sierra Club. His environmental goals mirror the mainstream environmental agenda of the Democratic Party. No environmental agenda is unique to Lieberman, but he did draft his own bi-partisan proposal to curb global warming.
D: Lieberman believes in a step-by-step approach to increasing the number of insured Americans. He has voted regularly to limit damages that can be assessed in lawsuits against the insurance industry.
E: Lieberman supports the PATRIOT Act. He is also for women’s right to choose, ending discrimination and ending racial profiling. Lieberman drafted the International Religious Freedom Act, which promotes religious freedom worldwide. He has extensive plans to reform immigration, so America can uphold the rights of immigrants as well as the “American dream.”
See also:
December 12, 2003
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