Joe Lieberman, first Jewish US vice-presidential candidate, dies

Joe Lieberman, former US Senator and Democratic Party vice-presidential nominee, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 82 in New York City.

His family confirmed that he succumbed to complications from a fall.

“His beloved wife, Hadassah, and members of his family were with him when he passed. Senator Lieberman’s love of God, his family, and America endured throughout his life of service in the public interest,” the statement said, reported Reuters.

Lieberman’s political career was marked by notable milestones, including being the Democratic Party’s vice presidential nominee in the 2000 election.

His bid alongside Al Gore, former Vice President of the United States, marked the first time a Jewish candidate appeared on a major party presidential ticket in the United States.

Despite facing setbacks, including an unsuccessful bid for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2004 due to his support for the Iraq War, Lieberman remained dedicated to serving his country.

“Joe was a man of deep integrity who dedicated his life to serving his country. He was a truly gifted leader, whose affable personality and strong will made him a force to be reckoned with. That’s why it came as no surprise to any of us who knew him when he’d start singing his favourite song: Frank Sinatra’s ‘My Way.’ And doing things Joe’s way meant always putting his country and the values of equality and fairness first,” Gore said in a statement.

Known for his centrist approach, Lieberman served as a US Senator from 1988 until his retirement in 2013.

He even won re-election as an independent candidate in 2006 after losing the Democratic primary.

Lieberman’s political affiliations evolved over time, as seen in his endorsement of Republican Senator John McCain for president in 2008, followed by support for Democratic candidates Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Joe Biden in 2020.

In recent years, Lieberman spearheaded the centrist group No Labels, aiming to introduce outsider bids for the White House.

Reflecting on the effort, Lieberman likened it to building a plane while flying it, emphasising the group’s unique approach to candidate selection.

Beyond politics, Lieberman was a distinguished lawyer, having earned a law degree from Yale Law School.

He also served as a member of the Connecticut State Senate and as attorney general of Connecticut.

Lieberman’s funeral is scheduled for Friday in his hometown of Stamford, Connecticut.