faced a tough campaign for a fifth, but simply because the time had
come for him to change direction.
“I have decided it is time to turn the page to a new
chapter, and so I will not be a candidate for re-election to a fifth
term in the
and I feel good about what I have accomplished. But I know that it is
the right decision and, I must say, having made it, am excited about
beginning a new chapter of life with new opportunities.
“The reason I have decided not to run for
re-election in 2012 is best expressed in the wise words from
Ecclesiastes: ‘To everything there is a season, and a time to every
purpose under Heaven.’ At the end of this term, I will have served 24
years in the
“For me, it is time for another season and another purpose under Heaven,” he said.
He took the podium at the
The
ballroom was filled with local and national media and a scattering of
Lieberman supporters. Banks of television cameras lined the back of the
room, a testament to Lieberman’s status as a national political figure.
Lieberman, once a popular Democrat who was the
party’s vice presidential nominee just a decade ago, alluded to his
political troubles in his speech. His enthusiasm for the
war turned off many Democrats and he lost the party’s support in 2006.
He ran for re-election anyway, an independent, and won. He further
inflamed members of his former party by campaigning for his good
friend, Sen.
Lieberman, 68, said he would continue in public service but did not say in what capacity. His term expires in two years.
Lieberman dismissed speculation that he would campaign for a fifth term because he thought he might lose.
“I know that some people have said that if I ran for
re-election, it would be a difficult campaign for me. So what else is
new? It probably would be a difficult campaign for me.
“But I have run many difficult campaigns before —
from my first one in 1970 against the incumbent Democratic state senate
majority leader, to my 1988 campaign against the incumbent Republican
U.S. senator, to my campaign for re-election in 2006 to the
war. In all three of those elections, most observers and pollsters
thought I would not win. But with an awful lot of help from
independents, Democrats and Republicans — including many of you here
today — in each case I did win.
“I’ve never shied from a good fight and I never will.”
In a speech that was by turns reflective and feisty,
Lieberman alluded to his independent — some would say contrarian —
streak. “I have not always fit comfortably into conventional political
boxes — maybe you’ve noticed that? — Democrat or Republican, liberal or
conservative,” he said.
“Because I have always thought my first
responsibility is not to serve a political party but to serve my
constituents, my state and my country and then to work across party
lines to make sure good things get done for them.”
Lieberman referenced Mark Twain and two of his most famous characters.
“One of my favorite metaphors for America’s spirit and history comes from the great American novel written right here in
by Mark Twain, `The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.’ In that book, Huck
and Jim ride the raft along the big river, that have always to me
represented American history. In one sense, Huck and Jim could not be
more different, but in another deeper sense, Huck and Jim were both
Americans, unified by a common humanity and shared destiny as they
traveled down the river. …
“And it is the spirit that inspires hundreds of
millions of seemingly ordinary Americans — the unsung heroes — who work
hard and play by the rules every day — driven by a dream, inspired to
imagine a tomorrow that is better than today, for themselves, most
importantly their children, our country, and our world.”
Lieberman, who won his fourth term in 2006 as an independent after losing the Democratic nomination in a primary to businessman
The senator, the aide said Tuesday night, wanted to wait until
had repealed the controversial don’t ask, don’t tell policy regarding
gays and lesbians serving in the military, among other reasons.
Lieberman and his staff spent much of the day
Tuesday calling supporters and longtime friends. Among those on the
list: Senate Majority Leader
A couple of those Democrats said Tuesday that they
thought the timing of the event and the tone of the behind-the-scenes
conversations indicated that Lieberman wanted to announce that he would
not be running while there was still speculation that he could win if
he chose to run. In other words, they said, he can pull out of the 2012
race now — before being battered by attacks from opponents trying to
unseat him and by continual announcements of polls that show him
sinking ever further in his prospects.
Tuesday, Democrat
the former secretary of the state whose run for attorney general last
year was marred by controversy and then cut short by a court ruling —
announced that she would seek the party’s nomination for Lieberman’s
seat.
The two announcements produced an explosion of political speculation and jockeying for a
Almost immediately, Rep,
in 2012 is well known in the state, and I expect to announce my
decision very soon,” Murphy, who won re-election to a third term in
November, said in a statement. “All I can say now is that this is going
to be a pretty busy few weeks.”
In addition, his fellow Democratic congressman, Rep.
Also in play were the names of two high-profile, potential Republican candidates:
Foley said, “People have asked me if I’d be
interested, and I’ve just said I haven’t ruled it out but I’m also not
ruling it in.” He added, “I would just hope the
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