The 2004 presidential campaign of Joe Lieberman, the long-time United States senator from Connecticut and the vice-presidential nominee under Al Gore in the previous election, began on January 13, 2003, when he announced his intention to seek the Democratic nomination as a candidate in the 2004 presidential election. Describing his presidential hopes, Lieberman opined that his historically hawkish stance would appeal to voters. Prior to his defeat in New Hampshire, Lieberman famously declared his campaign was picking up "Joementum".Lieberman says he's got the 'Joementum' CNN.com January 26, 2004. Retrieved March 6, 2007. On February 3, 2004, Lieberman withdrew his candidacy after failing to win any of the five primaries or two caucuses held that day. He acknowledged to the Hartford Courant that his support for the war in Iraq was a large part of his undoing with voters. Lieberman's former running candidate Al Gore did not support Lieberman's presidential run, and in December 2003 endorsed Howard Dean's candidacy, saying "This is about all of us and all of us need to get behind the strongest candidate [Dean]."Gore Endorses Dean: CNN LIVE EVENT/SPECIAL transcript. CNN.com December 9, 2003. Retrieved October 10, 2006.
Political positions Domestic policy Affirmative action In a 1995 speech before the National Press Club, Lieberman said, "this business of deciding by group, the argument that some make that some groups are genetically less able than others. That's an un-American argument." Affirmative action programs "must change because they are inconsistent with the law and basic American values of equal treatment and opportunity." He also stated that he was "against group preferences".
In 1996, he expressed support for California's Proposition 209, which eliminated state and local government affirmative action programs in the areas of public employment, public education, and public contracting to the extent these programs involve "preferential treatment based on race, sex, gender, color, ethnicity, or national origin."Edsall, Thomas B. and Harris, Hamil R. Lieberman Stirs Concern Among Blacks. The Washington Post August 15, 2000; A01. Hosted at Hartford-hwp.com "Affirmative action is dividing us in ways its creators could never have intended.", he said.Greenfield, Jeff. It's more than just Iraq: Lieberman has long been on the outs with his party's base. CNN August 3, 2006.
Since 2000, Lieberman rescinded his support for the proposition, saying that he expressed support "without understand[ing] the intent of Proposition 209", and renounced any support for Proposition 209. In the 2000 campaign, Lieberman assured the black voters, "I have supported affirmative action, I do support affirmative action, and I will support affirmative action because history and current reality make it necessary."
In 2003, Lieberman criticized Bush's affirmative action policy.Joe Lieberman, US Senator.Lieberman Denounces Bush Decision to Oppose Michigan Affirmative Action Programs: Press release. January 15, 2003. In 2004, he reiterated his support, saying, "I support affirmative action programs, including in appropriate instances consideration of race and gender in government contracting decisions, when the affirmative action program is designed to remedy the effects of past discrimination."
Lieberman has stated that he wants to increase subsidies for women-owned non-profit business, and he voted "yes" on setting aside 10% of highway funds for minorities and women.OnTheIssues.org. Joseph Lieberman on Civil Rights. Retrieved October 10, 2006.
Consumer protection Lieberman was one of four Senate Democrats to side with Republicans in 1995 in voting to limit punitive damage awards in product liability cases.United States Senate. U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 104th Congress - 1st Session. Retrieved October 10, 2006.
In February 2005, breaking ranks with fellow Senate Democrats, Lieberman voted for the Class Action Fairness Act of 2005, S. 5, a bill designed to curtail the ability of plaintiffs to file class action lawsuits against corporations in federal courts. The bill was backed by the White House and business groups as an essential tort reform measure that would reduce what they said was a debilitating number of frivolous lawsuits. The bill was opposed by consumer advocacy groups and trial lawyers who argued that many valid claims against corporations would be dismissed, leaving consumers without legal recourse.U.S. Congress Votes Database: 109th Congress / Senate / 1st session / Vote 9. The Washington Post. Retrieved October 10, 2006.The Library of Congress. S.5 Retrieved October 10, 2006.
Education Lieberman championed experimental voucher programs, which would redirect some education funding directly to parents, who could apply it towards paying for the public or private school of their choice.Lieberman Fields Questions on Religion, Clinton, Differences With Gore: transcript. CNN Aired August 13, 2000.
Lieberman has described Bush's "No Child Left Behind" plan as a "progressive piece of legislation" which has been insufficiently funded. He said, "A month after he signed the law, President Bush under funded it by $6 billion less than was promised in the legislation. This is creating greater pressures on our schools to perform and educate our kids - which is appropriate - but without giving them sufficient resources to make it happen."Cohen, Barry. Lieberman strives for 'moral clarity'. Jewish News of Greater Phoenix June 7, 2002. He has repeatedly criticized the administration to this effect.Joe Lieberman, US Senator. Lieberman Criticizes Bush Education Cuts: Press release. February 22, 2005.
With Lynne Cheney, Richard Lamm, Saul Bellow, and others, Lieberman co-founded the American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA), a controversial educational organization which released the post-9/11 report titled "Defending Civilization: How Our Universities Are Failing America and What Can Be Done About It" that criticized universities for evidence of anti-Americanism.
Entertainment industry Lieberman has been critical of the entertainment media.Tapper, Jake. Hollywood on trial. Salon.com, August 29, 2000. Retrieved October 10, 2006. On November 29, 2005, he co-sponsored the Family Entertainment Protection Act, which was introduced by Hillary Clinton, S.2126. The act is intended to protect children from what he says is inappropriate content found in video games. He has denounced the violence contained in video games and has tried regulating sales of violent video games to minors, arguing that games should have to be labeled based upon age-appropriateness. Regarding Grand Theft Auto, he said, "The player is rewarded for attacking a woman, pushing her to the ground, kicking her repeatedly and then ultimately killing her, shooting her over and over again. I call on the entertainment companies—they've got a right to do that, but they have a responsibility not to do it if we want to raise the next generation of our sons to treat women with respect."Reuters. Lieberman denounces 'Grand Theft Auto' video game. Forbes January 25, 2004. He voted for the Communications Decency Act.United States Senate. U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 104th Congress - 2nd Session. Retrieved October 26, 2006.
Environment Lieberman co-sponsored the 1990 Clean Air Act, a 1991 legislation intended to give consumers more information about the dangers of pesticides. He has addressed the need to limit global warming.Joe Lieberman, US Senator. Lieberman Leads Opposition to Bush EPA Nominee Wehrum: Press release. April 26, 2006.
Lieberman has stated that the US population has to accept responsibility for global warming, and voted "yes" on banning drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.US Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. LIEBERMAN CONDEMNS BUSH ADMINISTRATION PLAN TO OPEN WILDERNESS-LIKE LANDS TO OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY: Press release. October 30, 2003. He also voted "yes" on reducing oil usage by 40% by 2025 (instead of 5%). He voted against Gale Norton as Secretary of Interior. He even voted for funding for greater risk assessment by the EPA. Lieberman has even gone as far as saying that he wants to raise mileage standard to 40 mpg.OnTheIssues.org. Joseph Lieberman on Environment. Retrieved October 10, 2006. Lieberman voted for the administration-backed Energy Policy Act of 2005;Blum, Justin. Senate Overwhelmingly Passes Energy Bill. The Washington Post June 29, 2005; Page A04. facing criticism, Lieberman called the bill imperfect but good for Connecticut, citing a saving of $800 million for Connecticut electricity customers.OnTheIssues.org. Joseph Lieberman on Energy & Oil. Retrieved October 10, 2006. Lieberman has been a vocal critic of Bush's environmental policy.Joe Lieberman, US Senator. Lieberman Urges Bush Administration to Take Action on Global Warming: Press release. December 13, 2005.Joe Lieberman, US Senator. Lieberman Blasts Bush Administration for Bullying Climate Scientists: Press release. April 6, 2006.
"Gang of 14" On May 23, 2005, Lieberman was one of fourteen senators, dubbed the "Gang of 14," who forged a compromise on the Democrats' use of the judicial filibuster, thus avoiding the Republican leadership's implementation of the so-called "nuclear option". Under the agreement, the Democrats would exercise the power to filibuster a Bush judicial nominee only in an "extraordinary circumstance," and three of the filibustered Bush appellate court nominees – (Janice Rogers Brown, Priscilla Richman and William Pryor) – would receive a vote by the full Senate, which resulted in their confirmation. Lieberman refused to support a filibuster against Supreme Court justice nominee Samuel Alito.Nagourney, Adam. Lieberman's primary concerns. The Seattle Times July 30, 2006. Alito was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on January 31, 2006, by a vote of 58–42, becoming the court's 110th justice. Lieberman voted against the Alito confirmation in the final Senate vote.C-Span.org. FINAL SENATE VOTE: SAMUEL ALITO CONFIRMATION. Retrieved October 10, 2006. On John Roberts's nomination as chief justice, Lieberman believed that Roberts did not seem to be the kind of right-wing candidate the "Gang of 14" feared the president would select. Lieberman said he thought Roberts was a "decent guy," but also said that it was too early to draw further conclusions.Holland, Jesse J. Lieberman: Roberts Probably Not Extremist. San Francisco Chronicle July 21, 2005. Roberts was confirmed by the Senate on September 29, 2005, by a 78–22 vote, becoming the court's 17th chief justice. Lieberman voted for confirming Roberts.C_Span.org. FINAL SENATE VOTE: JOHN ROBERTS CONFIRMATION. Retrieved October 10, 2006.
LGBT rights In 2004, Lieberman scored a rating of 88/100 by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), one of the largest civil rights organization working to achieve gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality."Human Rights Campaign. Bush vs. Kerry on GLBT Issues! (PDF) Retrieved October 10, 2006.
Lieberman voted "no" on constitutionally banning same-sex marriage. In 2003, in response to the Massachusetts ruling that sanctions gay marriage, Lieberman stated, "although I am opposed to gay marriage, I have also long believed that states have the right to adopt for themselves laws that allow same-sex unions. I will oppose any attempts by the right wing to change the Constitution in response to today's Massachusetts Supreme Court ruling, which would be unnecessary and divisive."Gay Marriage Enters The Race. CBS News November 19, 2003. Retrieved October 10, 2006.
Lieberman cosponsored the Domestic Partners Benefits and Obligations Act of 2003, which provided the same benefits to domestic partners of federal employees as spouses currently have.