Joe Lieberman will not seek re-election

[Disco Pickle]

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/01/19/lieberman-announces-retirement/?hpt=T2

(CNN) – Sen. Joe Lieberman, the independent from Connecticut, announced Wednesday that he will not seek re-election, telling reporters at a midday press conference "I have decided that it's time to turn the page to a new chapter."

"I've loved serving in the Senate and I feel good about what I've accomplished. But I know that it is the right decision, and I must say, having made it, I am excited to begin a new chapter of life with new opportunities," said Lieberman Wednesday.

The move by the four-term senator caps off a roller-coaster political career in which Lieberman came a hair short of becoming vice president in 2000 before epically striking out at his own bid for the presidency four years later and then losing his party's senate nomination a mere two years after that.

Lieberman, once among Connecticut's most popular politicians, has also seen his poll numbers dip precipitously over the last two years and political observers have long predicted the four-term senator would have had a steep climb toward reelection.

"I know that some people have said if I ran for reelection it would be a difficult campaign for me," said Lieberman. "So what else is new? It probably would be a difficult campaign, but I've run many difficult campaigns before."

The decision is somewhat of a surprising one given Lieberman's ongoing appeal with independent voters and the respect, however tepid, he garners from both sides of the aisle.

While Lieberman is now an independent, he has aligned himself with the Democratic leadership for organizational purposes, a move that helped boost the Democratic majority on key issues like health care reform and most recently the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

At the same time, Lieberman has endeared himself to Republicans with his early condemnation of President Clinton during the Monica Lewinski affair, his strident support of the war in Iraq and his endorsement of Arizona Sen. John McCain in the 2008 presidential election.

But Lieberman's "party of one" status has at times frustrated Democratic leaders and the liberal wing of the party, leading one Democratic source to privately express a "sigh of relief" the senior senator is departing. At the same time, Lieberman was never fully embraced by the GOP given his relatively liberal voting record and reluctance to seriously break from his former party more than only a handful of times.

"I have not always fit comfortably into conventional political boxes, maybe you've noticed that. Democrat, Republican, liberal or conservative. Because I've always thought my first responsibility is not to serve a political party but to serve my constituents, my state, and my country," Lieberman also said Wednesday.

Ultimately the move adds further murkiness to Democrats' hopes of hanging on to its slim majority in the Senate in the 2012 election, especially coming on the heels of a similar retirement decision by Sen. Kent Conrad, a Democrat from North Dakota.

The race for his seat is wide open and the state's Senate race in 2010 showed a well-funded Republican has more than a decent chance of wresting control of the seat from Democrats. Still, Democrats are quick to point out President Barack Obama will be on the top of the ticket in 2012, boosting turnout among the party faithful.

Earlier on Tuesday former Connecticut secretary of state Susan Bysiewicz announced that she is planning to mount a bid while Reps. Chris Murphy and Joe Courtney are also thought to be considering campaigns of their own. Meanwhile, various Republicans are mulling their options.

A Lieberman aide stressed that the senator made his own decision some time ago and it was not influenced by Bysiewicz's announcement Tuesday or any other maneuvering.

"I do not intend today to be the end of my career in public service," Lieberman said. "I will keep doing everything in my power to build strong bridges across party lines."

Ultimately though, Lieberman offered few hints about his future plans. But McCain, perhaps his closest friend in the Senate, has at least one suggestion.

"I really hope that the president would consider [for Secretary of Defense]," McCain told CNN. "I sure hope, whatever happens, he will play a major role on national security issues."

[Elder Iptuous]

a couple times in my marriage, i have been woken by my wife clearly talking in her sleep, at considerable volume and without any impediment or slurring.
the first time, she said "back in the paleolithic era, they had Oscar Meyer, like we used to have."

this second time, which occurred a few months ago, she asked if i could hear what he was saying.  i asked her who she was talking about, and she said 'the little purple hairball' she coughed up that was sitting on the bed.  I indicated that i couldn't, and she said that it was telling her to beware of 'the Lieberman'.  i asked if it meant Joe, and she said yes.  she said the purple hairball said that Lieberman is dangerous.

i asked her about it when she woke up, and she remembered the dream, but she had no idea who Joe Lieberman was.  (which surprised me).  since then she has been keen on keeping her eye on this guy...
she does have an interesting track record with precognitive dreaming accurately...

[AFK]

Everybody heard his farewell speech right? 

Everyone caught the part where he compared himself to JFK right?

Here's hoping you Connecticutters find yourself a Senator that is a little more grounded in the real world. 

[Disco Pickle]

I call he goes on the be a lobbyist for a defense contractor.

If, Eris forbid, he does get made secretary of defense, look for war with Iran to shortly follow.  Either even more covertly or outright.

[AFK]

I've got money on him becoming a Fox News analyst and/or host. 

RWHN,
Not wagering with puns anymore. 

[Eve]

He's not the worst Connecticut has seen.. still, can't say I'm sad to see him go.

<-- Masshole representing Eveland

[Cain]

I've got money on a Presidential bid.  FUCK YEAH!

[AFK]

It will give him time to spruce up and prepare the little retirement villa for himself, Lindsey Graham, and John McCain. 

[Cramulus]

Here's hoping you Connecticutters find yourself a Senator that is a little more grounded in the real world. 

many of the people I know in CT call Joe "The Betrayer", so I think that actually is part of the plan

[the last yatto]

I've got money on a Presidential bid.  FUCK YEAH!

Heres hoping someone helps along his dream to be just like JFK

[Adios]

I've got money on a Presidential bid.  FUCK YEAH!

Heres hoping someone helps along his dream to be just like JFK

Excuse me sir. Your language seems to be advocating political violence resulting in death.

[The Good Reverend Roger]

I've got money on a Presidential bid.  FUCK YEAH!

Heres hoping someone helps along his dream to be just like JFK

Excuse me sir. Your language seems to be advocating political violence resulting in death.

Nonsense.  Yatto just wants Lieberman to fuck Marilyn Monroe.

[the last yatto]

that and when history finally repeats AGAIN, maybe more people will sign the pention

[AFK]

Except we're talking about Joe Lieberman.  Nobody likes Joe Lieberman.  I mean, he probably curses at himself when he looks in the mirror.  He just has that kind of face that says "Punch Me Inna Face!"

[AFK]

I mean, when Al Gore "lost" against Bush, he probably thought to himself, "Well, at least I don't have to hang around Joe anymore."