Editing Joe Lieberman (section)

==U.S. Senate==

===Tenure===
Lieberman was first elected to the [[United States Senate]] as a Democrat in the [[United States Senate election, 1988|1988 election]], defeating liberal Republican [[Lowell Weicker]] by a margin of 10,000 votes.<ref name="nyt-weicker-defeat">{{cite news |last1=Ravo |first1=Nick |title=The Elections: Connecticut; Weicker Concedes To Lieberman in Close Race |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/11/10/nyregion/the-elections-connecticut-weicker-concedes-to-lieberman-in-close-race.html |access-date=March 29, 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=November 10, 1988 |archive-date=March 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329154010/https://www.nytimes.com/1988/11/10/nyregion/the-elections-connecticut-weicker-concedes-to-lieberman-in-close-race.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He scored the nation's biggest political upset that year,<ref name="ncr-retirement">{{cite news |last1=Gallagher |first1=Tom |title=U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman's farewell address |url=https://www.ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/us-sen-joe-liebermans-farewell-address |access-date=March 29, 2024 |work=National Catholic Reporter |date=December 19, 2012 |language=en |archive-date=December 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221204112439/https://www.ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/us-sen-joe-liebermans-farewell-address |url-status=live }}</ref> after being backed by a coalition of Democrats and unaffiliated voters with support from conservative [[Republican Party (United States)|Republicans]], most notably including ''[[National Review]]'' founder and ''[[Firing Line (TV series)|Firing Line]]'' host [[William F. Buckley Jr.]] and his brother, former New York Senator [[James L. Buckley]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/08/16/nyregion/buckleys-are-backing-a-democrat.html|title=Buckleys Are Backing A Democrat?|date=August 16, 1988|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=February 9, 2017|archive-date=April 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417005235/https://www.nytimes.com/1988/08/16/nyregion/buckleys-are-backing-a-democrat.html|url-status=live}}</ref> who were disappointed in three-term Republican incumbent Weicker's liberal voting record and personal style. During the campaign, he received support from Connecticut's [[Cuban Americans|Cuban American]] community, which was unhappy with Weicker. Thereafter, Lieberman remained firmly anti-Castro.<ref name=Toobin>Toobin, Jeffrey. [https://web.archive.org/web/20060319050852/http://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/articles/021216fa_fact Joe Lieberman looks hopefully toward the White House.] ''[[The New Yorker]]'' December 16, 2002.</ref>

Shortly after his first election to the Senate, Lieberman was approached by [[George J. Mitchell]], the incoming [[Majority Leader]] who advised him, "Pick out two or three areas that you're really interested in and learn them so that your colleagues know what you're talking about&nbsp;... You're going to have more influence even as a freshman than you think because you know there's hundreds of issues and inevitably we rely on each other."<ref name="conversationswithbillkristol.org">{{cite web|url=http://conversationswithbillkristol.org/video/joe-lieberman/|title=Joe Lieberman on Conversations with Bill Kristol|access-date=March 28, 2016|archive-date=March 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324153806/http://conversationswithbillkristol.org/video/joe-lieberman/|url-status=live}}</ref> Recalling the conversation, Lieberman said "that was true when I first came in, although you could see partisanship beginning to eat away at that. But at the end of my 24 years, it was really so partisan that it was hard to make the combinations to get to 60 votes to break a filibuster to get things done."<ref name="conversationswithbillkristol.org"/>

Lieberman's [[1993–94 United States Senate hearings on video games|initiatives against violence in video games]] are considered the chief impetus behind the establishment of an industry-wide [[video game rating system]] during the early 1990s.<ref>{{cite journal|title=75 Power Players: The Watcher|journal=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=11|publisher=[[Imagine Media]]|date=November 1995|page=67}}</ref>

[[File:Bill Clinton and officials on Air Force One.jpg|thumb|300px|Lieberman (second from the left) and Senate colleagues with President [[Bill Clinton]] and his national security team on [[Air Force One]] to [[Bosnia]] in 1997]]

In 1994, Lieberman made history by winning by the largest landslide ever in a Connecticut Senate race, drawing 67 percent of the vote and beating his opponent by more than 350,000 votes.<ref name="nyt-obit" />  Lieberman then served as chair of the [[Democratic Leadership Council]] from 1995 to 2001.<ref name="dlc-lieberman">{{cite news |last1=Sullivan |first1=Michael Gene |title=Democratic Leadership Council Concerned as Democrats Seem Headed Toward Victory |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/democratic-leadership-cou_b_91340 |access-date=March 29, 2024 |work=HuffPost |publisher=BuzzFeed |date=March 13, 2008 |language=en |archive-date=March 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329155947/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/democratic-leadership-cou_b_91340 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1998, Lieberman was the first prominent Democrat to publicly challenge Clinton for the judgment exercised in his [[Lewinsky scandal|affair]] with [[Monica Lewinsky]];<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20030920201157/http://www.australianpolitics.com/usa/clinton/impeachment/lieberman.shtml Senator Joe Lieberman Attacks Clinton.] AustralianPolitics.com September 3, 1998. Retrieved October 10, 2006.</ref> however, he voted against removing Clinton from office by [[impeachment]].<ref name="fox61-obit">{{cite news |last1=Stewart |first1=Doug |title=Joe Lieberman dies at age 82, his family says |url=https://www.fox61.com/article/news/local/joe-lieberman-a-look-back-at-his-career/520-13fedea0-ad72-4b96-9583-28093dd636bc |access-date=March 29, 2024 |work=FOX61 |publisher=WTIC-TV |date=March 27, 2024 |archive-date=March 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329234405/https://www.fox61.com/article/news/local/joe-lieberman-a-look-back-at-his-career/520-13fedea0-ad72-4b96-9583-28093dd636bc |url-status=live }}</ref> Of his criticism of [[Bill Clinton]], Lieberman said in 2014:

<blockquote>It was a very hard thing for me to do because I liked him but I really felt what he did was awful and that unless I felt myself if I didn't say something, I'd be a [[hypocrite]]. I also felt that if somebody who was supportive of him didn't say something, it would not be good. And so it got a lot of attention. I got a call from [[Erskine Bowles]] who was [[White House Chief of Staff|Chief of Staff]] about three or four days later saying that he was going to express an opinion which wasn't universally held at the [[White House]]&nbsp;– he thought I helped the president by bursting the boil, that was the metaphor he used. The following Sunday morning, I'm at home and the phone rings, it's the White House. And it's now about a week and a couple of days since I made the speech. The president says, it was the president, "I just want you to know that there's nothing you said in that speech that I don't agree with. And I want you to know that I'm working on it." And we talked for about forty-five minutes. It was amazing.<ref name="conversationswithbillkristol.org"/></blockquote>

In 2000, Lieberman was [[2000 United States Senate election in Connecticut|elected]] to a third Senate term, defeating the Republican candidate, [[Philip Giordano]].<ref name="cnn-2000-senate">{{cite news |title=Lieberman wins Senate race |url=https://www.cnn.com/2000/ALLPOLITICS/stories/11/07/senate.connecticut/ |access-date=March 29, 2024 |publisher=CNN |date=November 8, 2000 |archive-date=September 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230906081809/http://www.cnn.com/2000/ALLPOLITICS/stories/11/07/senate.connecticut/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Vice presidential campaign ===
Lieberman's 2000 Senate campaign was concurrent with [[2000 United States presidential election|that year's presidential election]]. In August 2000, Vice President Al Gore announced that he had selected Lieberman as his vice presidential running mate. Lieberman became the first practicing [[Jewish|Jew]] to run for the nation's second-highest office.<ref name=liebermanobs>{{cite news|url=http://www.observer.com/node/43265|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207212923/http://www.observer.com/node/43265|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 7, 2008 |title=Joe Lieberman |access-date=July 15, 2008 |date=August 13, 2000 |newspaper= [[The New York Observer]]}}</ref> Lieberman was selected from a group of potential running mates that reportedly included Senators [[John Kerry]] and [[John Edwards]], the team that would form the Democratic presidential ticket [[2004 United States presidential election|four years later]].<ref name=group>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/08/09/us/the-2000-campaign-the-selection-in-selecting-a-no-2-no-detail-too-small.html?pagewanted=print |title=The 2000 Campaign: The Selection; In Selecting a No. 2, No Detail Too Small |access-date=July 3, 2008 |date=August 9, 2000 |work=[[The New York Times]] |first1=David |last1=Barstow |first2=Katharine Q. |last2=Seelye |archive-date=July 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230728221342/https://www.nytimes.com/2000/08/09/us/the-2000-campaign-the-selection-in-selecting-a-no-2-no-detail-too-small.html?pagewanted=print |url-status=live }}</ref>

Lieberman had a reputation of being a more ideologically conservative Democrat than Gore.<ref name="sentinel-lieberman-vp">{{cite news |last1=Griffin |first1=Michael |title=GORE TAPS LIEBERMAN FOR TICKET |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2000/08/08/gore-taps-lieberman-for-ticket/ |access-date=March 29, 2024 |work=Orlando Sentinel |date=August 8, 2000 |archive-date=March 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329150145/https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2000/08/08/gore-taps-lieberman-for-ticket/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Because of Lieberman's criticism of Clinton's personal behavior, some viewed Gore's choice of Lieberman as a way to distance himself from the scandals of the Clinton White House.<ref name=chooses>{{cite news|url= https://www.nytimes.com/2000/08/09/us/2000-campaign-vice-president-gore-lieberman-make-tolerance-centerpiece.html?pagewanted=print|title= The 2000 Campaign: The Vice President; Gore and Lieberman Make Tolerance the Centerpiece|access-date= July 3, 2008|last= Sack|first= Kevin|date= August 9, 2000|newspaper= [[The New York Times]]|archive-date= July 28, 2023|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230728221341/https://www.nytimes.com/2000/08/09/us/2000-campaign-vice-president-gore-lieberman-make-tolerance-centerpiece.html?pagewanted=print|url-status= live}}</ref> The Gore–Lieberman ticket was defeated in a hard-fought election that was contested for weeks after the vote. On December 12, a [[U.S. Supreme Court]] ruling brought the race to an official end, [[Bush v. Gore|confirming the decision]] in the favor of the [[George W. Bush 2000 presidential campaign|Bush-Cheney]] ticket.<ref name="nyt-obit" />

===2006 Senate election===

====Primary====
{{Main|2006 United States Senate election in Connecticut#Democratic primary}}
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 0"
|+Democratic Primary Results
!Candidate
!Votes<ref>[http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/files/elections/2006/by_state/CT_Page_0808.html?SITE=CTHARELN&SECTION=POLITICS Election results.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130325075023/http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/files/elections/2006/by_state/CT_Page_0808.html?SITE=CTHARELN&SECTION=POLITICS |date=March 25, 2013 }} ''[[Hartford Courant]]'' August 10, 2006.</ref>
!Percentage
|-
|[[Ned Lamont]]
|146,587
|52%
|-
|Joe Lieberman
|136,468
|48%
|}

Lieberman sought the Democratic Party's renomination for U.S. Senate from Connecticut in 2006 but lost to the comparatively more liberal<ref name="crimson-lamont">{{cite news |last1=Gray |first1=Katherine M. |title=Lamont Edges Lieberman in CT |url=https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2006/8/11/lamont-edges-lieberman-in-ct-in/ |access-date=March 29, 2024 |work=The Harvard Crimson |date=August 11, 2006 |archive-date=June 3, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150603100301/http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2006/8/11/lamont-edges-lieberman-in-ct-in/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Ned Lamont]], a [[Greenwich, Connecticut|Greenwich]] businessman<ref name="ctpost-lamont-early">{{cite news |last1=Krasselt |first1=Kaitlyn |title=A look at Lamont's early political career in Greenwich |url=https://www.ctpost.com/politics/article/A-look-at-Lamont-s-early-political-career-in-13285736.php |access-date=March 29, 2024 |work=Connecticut Post |publisher=Hearst Media Services Connecticut |date=October 7, 2018 |language=en |archive-date=July 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230730113952/https://www.ctpost.com/politics/article/A-look-at-Lamont-s-early-political-career-in-13285736.php |url-status=live }}</ref> and antiwar candidate.<ref name="nbc-lamont-antiwar">{{cite news |title=Lieberman concedes; Lamont wins primary |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna14228351 |access-date=March 29, 2024 |publisher=NBC News |agency=Associated Press |date=August 7, 2006 |language=en |archive-date=March 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329153929/https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna14228351 |url-status=live }}</ref> Lamont received 33 percent of the delegates' votes at the Connecticut Democratic Convention in May, forcing an August primary.<ref name="nymag-lieberman2006">{{cite news |last1=Gordon |first1=Meryl |title=Hawkish Democrat Joe Lieberman's Epic Battle With His Own Party – New York Magazine – Nymag |url=https://nymag.com/news/politics/18473/ |access-date=March 29, 2024 |work=[[New York (magazine)|New York]]  |date=July 21, 2006 |language=en |archive-date=October 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001170947/https://nymag.com/news/politics/18473/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In July, Lieberman announced that he would file papers to appear on the November ballot should he lose the primary, saying, "I'm a loyal Democrat, but I have loyalties that are greater than those to my party, and that's my loyalty to my state and my country."<ref>Klein, Rick. [https://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2006/07/04/lieberman_crafts_backup_plan/ Lieberman crafts backup plan: Says he'll run even if he loses primary.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304211954/http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2006/07/04/lieberman_crafts_backup_plan/ |date=March 4, 2016 }} ''[[The Boston Globe]]'' July 4, 2006.</ref> He said he would continue to sit as a Democrat in the Senate even if he was defeated in the primary and elected on an unaffiliated line, and expressed concern for a potentially low turnout.<ref>Murray, Shailagh. [https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/03/AR2006070300873.html Lieberman May Run as Independent.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231205053139/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/03/AR2006070300873.html |date=December 5, 2023 }} ''[[The Washington Post]]'' July 4, 2006.</ref> On July 10, the Lieberman campaign officially filed paperwork allowing him to collect signatures for the newly formed [[Connecticut for Lieberman]] party ballot line.<ref>Haigh, Susan. [https://www.boston.com/news/local/connecticut/articles/2006/07/10/lieberman_campaign_files_forms_to_run_as_petitioning_candidate/ Lieberman campaign files forms to run as petitioning candidate.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304070319/http://www.boston.com/news/local/connecticut/articles/2006/07/10/lieberman_campaign_files_forms_to_run_as_petitioning_candidate/ |date=March 4, 2016 }} ''[[The Boston Globe]]'' July 10, 2006.</ref>

On August 8, 2006, Lieberman conceded the [[Democratic party (United States)|Democratic]] primary election to Ned Lamont, saying, "For the sake of our state, our country and my party, I cannot and will not let that result stand,"<ref name="cnn-lieberman-transcript">{{cite news |title=Interview with Senator Joe Lieberman; WTC Movie Opens |url=http://www.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0608/09/ltm.01.html |access-date=March 29, 2024 |publisher=CNN |date=August 9, 2006 |archive-date=March 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329152427/http://www.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0608/09/ltm.01.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and announced he would run in the [[United States Senate election in Connecticut, 2006|2006 November election]] as an independent candidate on the [[Connecticut for Lieberman]] ticket, against both Lamont and the Republican candidate, [[Alan Schlesinger]].<ref>Barry, Ellen. [https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/1091360661.html?dids=1091360661:1091360661&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Aug+9%2C+2006&author=Ellen+Barry&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&edition=&startpage=A.1&desc=Lieberman+Is+Defeated+in+Primary Lieberman Is Defeated in Primary.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130618094137/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/1091360661.html?dids=1091360661:1091360661&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Aug+9%2C+2006&author=Ellen+Barry&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&edition=&startpage=A.1&desc=Lieberman+Is+Defeated+in+Primary |date=June 18, 2013}} ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' August 9, 2006. p. A1.</ref>

====General election====
{{Main|2006 United States Senate election in Connecticut}}
[[File:Joe Lieberman July 2006.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Lieberman during his re-election campaign on an independent ticket]]

Polls after the primary showed Lieberman leading by varying margins.<ref>{{cite web |title=Connecticut Races – Sabato's Crystal Ball |url=https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/2006/senate/ct/ |website=centerforpolitics.org |access-date=February 22, 2022 |archive-date=February 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222222832/https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/2006/senate/ct/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Alan Schlesinger]] barely registered support,<ref>{{cite thesis |last=Skoland |first=Espen |date=June 1, 2007 |title=Does blogging win votes? |type=Masters of Arts |publisher=Griffith University |pages=41–42 |citeseerx=10.1.1.466.1822}}</ref> and his campaign had run into problems based on alleged gambling debts. According to columnist [[Steve Kornacki]], Lieberman was therefore "able to run in the general election as the de facto Republican candidate&nbsp;– every major Republican office-holder in the state endorsed him&nbsp;– and to supplement that GOP base with strong support from independents."<ref>Kornacki, Steve (January 24, 2011) [https://web.archive.org/web/20110127021513/http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2011/01/24/lieberman_hutchison_retire/index.html The most cowardly act of a retiring politician], ''[[Salon (website)|Salon]]''</ref>

On August 9, 2006, [[Hillary Clinton]], the junior [[List of United States senators from New York|U.S. senator from New York]], affirmed her pledge to support the primary winner, saying "voters of Connecticut have made their decision and I think that decision should be respected",<ref>Fouhy, Beth. [https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/10/AR2006081001659.html Clinton Reiterates Pledge to Back Lamont.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914022359/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/10/AR2006081001659.html |date=September 14, 2018 }} ''[[The Washington Post]]'' August 10, 2006.</ref> and [[Howard Dean]] called for Lieberman to quit the race, saying he was being "disrespectful of Democrats and disrespectful of the Democratic Party".<ref>Nagourney, Adam.[https://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/09/washington/09cnd-senate.html?_r=1&hp&ex=1155182400&en=386129a0dcd5f147&ei=5094&partner=homepage&oref=login PRIMARY IN CONNECTICUT: NEWS ANALYSIS; A Referendum On Iraq Policy.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180523091803/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/09/washington/09cnd-senate.html?_r=1&hp&ex=1155182400&en=386129a0dcd5f147&ei=5094&partner=homepage&oref=login |date=May 23, 2018 }} ''[[The New York Times]]'' August 9, 2006.</ref> On August 10, in his first campaign appearance since losing the Democratic primary, referencing the [[2006 transatlantic aircraft plot]], Lieberman criticized Lamont, saying: "If we just pick up like Ned Lamont wants us to do, get out [of Iraq] by a date certain, it will be taken as a tremendous victory by the same people who wanted to blow up these planes in this plot hatched in England. It will strengthen them and they will strike again."<ref name="Offensive">Healy, Patrick and Medina, Jennifer. [https://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/11/nyregion/11conn.html?ex=1155441600&en=c8a5d8aa54c3a879&ei=5087%0A Lieberman Goes on the Offensive, Linking the Terror Threat to Iraq.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160102124026/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/11/nyregion/11conn.html?ex=1155441600&en=c8a5d8aa54c3a879&ei=5087%0A |date=January 2, 2016 }} ''[[The New York Times]]'' August 11, 2006.</ref> Lamont noted Lieberman's position was similar to [[George W. Bush]] and [[Dick Cheney]]'s position. Lamont said, "That comment sounds an awful lot like Vice President Cheney's comment on Wednesday. Both of them believe our invasion of Iraq has a lot to do with 9/11. That's a false premise."<ref name="Offensive" /> Lieberman's communications director replied that Lamont was politicizing national security by "portraying [Lieberman] as a soul mate of President Bush on Iraq".<ref name="Offensive" />

As a Democrat, Lieberman earned an inordinate amount of support from some prominent conservatives in American politics. On August 17, 2006, the [[National Republican Senatorial Committee]] stated that they would favor a Lieberman victory in the November election over Democratic nominee Ned Lamont; however, the NRSC stated that they were not going so far as to actually support Lieberman.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060916143703/http://thepoliticker.observer.com/2006/08/nrsc-takes-lieberman.html NRSC Takes Lieberman.]. Retrieved October 10, 2006.</ref> Former New York mayor [[Rudy Giuliani]] praised Lieberman at a [[South Carolina]] campaign stop on August 18, saying he was "a really exceptional senator".<ref>[https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna14301381 First Read.]  NBC News. August 17, 2006.</ref> Five Democratic senators maintained their support for Lieberman, and Lieberman also received the strong support of former senator and Democratic stalwart [[Bob Kerrey]], who offered to stump for him.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060813121543/http://thepoliticker.observer.com/2006/08/kerrey-for-lieberman.html Kerrey for Lieberman.]. Retrieved October 10, 2006.</ref> Democratic minority leader Harry Reid, while endorsing Lamont, promised Lieberman that he would retain his committee positions and seniority if he prevailed in the general election. On August 28, Lieberman campaigned at the same motorcycle rally as Republican Congressman [[Christopher Shays]].<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/09/nyregion/09independent.html?pagewanted=print&_r=0 As Outsider, Lieberman Walks a Tricky Path] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016123400/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/09/nyregion/09independent.html?pagewanted=print&_r=0 |date=October 16, 2015 }} New York Times September 9, 2006</ref> Shays told a crowd of motorcycle enthusiasts, "We have a national treasure in Joe Lieberman." [[Mel Sembler]], a former [[Republican National Committee]] finance chairman, helped organize a reception that raised a "couple hundred thousand dollars" for Lieberman, who was personally in attendance. Sembler is a prominent Republican who chaired [[I. Lewis Libby|I.&nbsp;Lewis 'Scooter' Libby]]'s legal defense fund.<ref>''[[Associated Press]]''. [https://web.archive.org/web/20070312050202/http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/09/21/america/NA_POL_US_Connecticut_Senate.php Top Republican co-hosted fundraiser for Lieberman.] ''[[International Herald Tribune]]''. September 21, 2006.</ref> New York Mayor [[Michael Bloomberg]] held a fundraiser for Lieberman at his home in November, co-hosted by former mayor [[Ed Koch]] and former Senator [[Alfonse M. D'Amato]].<ref>[https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE6DF1031F93BA2575AC0A9609C8B63 In Connecticut Iraq Debate, Vague Policy Prescriptions] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170304040236/https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE6DF1031F93BA2575AC0A9609C8B63 |date=March 4, 2017 }} Medina, Jennifer. ''New York Times''. September 18, 2006. p. B3.</ref> Koch called Lieberman "one of the greatest Senators we've ever had in the Senate."<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070713141434/http://www.ny1.com/ny1/content/index.jsp?stid=3&aid=63159 Lieberman Stumps In New York, With Koch By His Side.] NY1 News, October 3, 2006.</ref>

Despite still considering himself a Democrat, Lieberman was endorsed by numerous Republicans who actively spoke out in favor of his candidacy. Lieberman was also the focus of websites such as ConservativesforLieberman06.com.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://therightperspectivepodcastblog.blogspot.com/2006/11/liebermans-victory-analysis.html |title=The Right Perspective Podcast Blog |access-date=February 6, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080526001131/http://therightperspectivepodcastblog.blogspot.com/2006/11/liebermans-victory-analysis.html |archive-date=May 26, 2008}} The Right Perspective Podcast Blog, November 11, 2006.</ref> On November 7, Lieberman won re-election with 50% of the vote. [[Ned Lamont]] garnered 40% of ballots cast and [[Alan Schlesinger]] won 10%.<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2006/pages/results/states/CT/S/01/index.html Joe Lieberman wins CT Senate race.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201213023444/http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2006/pages/results/states/CT/S/01/index.html |date=December 13, 2020 }}. Retrieved November 7, 2006.</ref> Lieberman received support from 33% of Democrats, 54% of independents and 70% of Republicans.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2006/pages/results/states/CT/S/01/epolls.0.html | publisher=[[CNN]] | title=CNN.com&nbsp;– Elections 2006 | access-date=May 6, 2010 | archive-date=January 29, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100129064315/http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2006/pages/results/states/CT/S/01/epolls.0.html | url-status=live }}</ref>

===Creation of Department of Homeland Security (DHS)===
[[File:U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Joe Lieberman and Ranking Member Susan Collins address bipartisan suggestion on countermeasures toward domestic terrorism.jpg|thumb|[[Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee]] Chairman Lieberman and Ranking Member [[Susan Collins]] address bipartisan suggestion on countermeasures toward [[Jihadist extremism in the United States|Islamist extremism]] and [[Domestic terrorism in the United States|domestic terrorism in U.S.]]]]

When control of the Senate switched from Republicans to Democrats in June 2001, Lieberman became Chairman of the [[United States Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs|Governmental Affairs Committee]], with oversight responsibilities for a broad range of government activities. He was also a member of the [[United States Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works|Environment and Public Works Committee]] and chair of its [[United States Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear Safety|Subcommittee Clean Air, Wetlands and Private Property]]; the [[United States Senate Committee on Armed Services|Armed Services Committee]], where he chaired the [[United States Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Airland|Airland Subcommittee]] and sat on the [[United States Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities|Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities]]; and the [[United States Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship|Small Business Committee]]. When Republicans gained control of the Senate in January 2003, Lieberman resumed his role as ranking minority member of the committees he had once chaired.<ref>[http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20040401000639/http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=108_congressional_directory&docid=cdir108_txt-62.pdf Standing Committees of the Senate 108th Congress]. Retrieved September 10, 2006.</ref>

Lieberman was an early supporter of the creation of the [[Department of Homeland Security]] as the chairman of the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee,<ref name="cap-dhs">{{cite web |last1=Rudman |first1=Mara |last2=deLeon |first2=Rudy |last3=Martinez |first3=Joel |title=Redefining Homeland Security: A New Framework for DHS To Meet Today's Challenges |url=https://www.americanprogress.org/article/redefining-homeland-security-new-framework-dhs-meet-todays-challenges/ |website=Center for American Progress |date=June 16, 2021 |access-date=March 28, 2024 |archive-date=December 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203065226/https://www.americanprogress.org/article/redefining-homeland-security-new-framework-dhs-meet-todays-challenges/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="politico-obit">{{cite news |last1=Cohen |first1=David |title=Joe Lieberman, 2000 vice presidential nominee, dies at 82 |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2024/03/27/joe-lieberman-2000-vice-presidential-nominee-obit-033980 |access-date=March 28, 2024 |work=Politico |date=March 27, 2024 |archive-date=March 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240327222057/https://www.politico.com/news/2024/03/27/joe-lieberman-2000-vice-presidential-nominee-obit-033980 |url-status=live }}</ref> proposing organizing [[FEMA]], the [[U.S. Customs Service]], the [[U.S. Border Patrol]], the [[U.S. Coast Guard]], and other agencies under the new department.<ref name="bu-plan">{{cite news |last1=Finn |first1=Mindy |title=Lieberman Announces Plan for Homeland Security |url=https://www.bu.edu/washington/2001/10/11/lieberman-announces-plan-for-homeland-security/ |access-date=March 28, 2024 |work=Study Abroad: Washington |publisher=Boston University |date=October 11, 2001 |archive-date=March 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240328023954/https://www.bu.edu/washington/2001/10/11/lieberman-announces-plan-for-homeland-security/ |url-status=live }}</ref> This proposal was eventually implemented in the [[Homeland Security Act of 2002]].<ref name="wp-dhs-start">{{cite news |last1=Glasser |first1=Susan B. |last2=Grunwald |first2=Michael |title=Department's Mission Was Undermined From Start |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/21/AR2005122102327_pf.html |access-date=March 28, 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=December 22, 2005 |archive-date=March 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314172046/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/21/AR2005122102327_pf.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="lieberman.senate.gov">{{cite web |url=http://lieberman.senate.gov/index.cfm/issues-legislation/homeland-security-and-governmental-affairs |title=Senator Joseph Lieberman (CT) – Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs |access-date=May 24, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120524162511/http://lieberman.senate.gov/index.cfm/issues-legislation/homeland-security-and-governmental-affairs |archive-date=May 24, 2012}}</ref>

In 2006, Senators Lieberman and [[Susan Collins|Collins]] drafted legislation to reshape the [[Federal Emergency Management Agency]] into an agency that would more effectively prepare for and respond to catastrophes, including natural disasters and terrorist attacks. The legislation elevated FEMA to special status within the Department of Homeland Security, much like the [[United States Coast Guard|Coast Guard]] and designated FEMA's head to be the president's point person during an emergency. The bill also called for the reunification of FEMA's preparedness and response functions, giving it responsibility for all phases of emergency management. In addition, the measure strengthened FEMA's regional offices, creating dedicated interagency "strike teams" to provide the initial federal response to a disaster in the region. The legislation passed Congress in September 2006.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/12/washington/senate-votes-to-replace-fema-with-a-new-federal-agency.html |title=Senate votes to replace FEMA with a new federal agency |author=Eric Lipton |work=The New York Times |access-date=March 27, 2024 |date=July 12, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-date=March 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329234405/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/12/washington/senate-votes-to-replace-fema-with-a-new-federal-agency.html }}</ref>

As the 2007 hurricane season approached, Lieberman held an oversight hearing on implementation of the FEMA reforms on May 22, 2007. He urged FEMA to implement the reforms at a quicker pace.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/media/dems/lieberman-collins-seek-assurance-on-femas-hurricane-preparedness/ |title=Lieberman, Collins seek assurance on FEMA's hurricane preparedness |access-date=March 27, 2024 |archive-date=December 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204222525/https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/media/dems/lieberman-collins-seek-assurance-on-femas-hurricane-preparedness/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Lieberman was also involved in congressional oversight of the response to the [[H1N1 influenza]] (swine flu) pandemic and held four hearings on the subject in 2009, including one in Connecticut. At the hearings, he pressed the [[United States Department of Health and Human Services]] to distribute [[vaccine]]s and antiviral medications at a quicker pace and to streamline the process.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2009-10-21/swine-flu-care-may-swamp-health-system-senator-says?embedded-checkout=true |title=Swine Flu Care May Swamp Health System, Senator Says |author=Pat Wechsler |publisher=Bloomberg L.P. |access-date=March 27, 2024 |date=October 21, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-date=March 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329234406/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2009-10-21/swine-flu-care-may-swamp-health-system-senator-says?embedded-checkout=true }}</ref> In the 110th Congress, Lieberman was Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, which is responsible for assuring the Federal Government's efficiency and effectiveness. He was also a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee; Senate Armed Services Committee, where he was Chairman of the Subcommittee on Air Land Forces and sat on the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities; and the Small Business Committee.<ref name="lieberman.senate.gov"/>

===Fundraising===
From 1989 onwards, Lieberman received more than $31.4&nbsp;million in campaign donations from specific industries and sectors. His largest donors represented the securities and investment ($3.7&nbsp;million), legal ($3.6&nbsp;million), real estate ($3.1&nbsp;million), and health professional ($1.1&nbsp;million) industries.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/industries.php?cycle=Career&cid=N00000616&type=I |title=Joe Lieberman<!--profile--> |publisher=[[OpenSecrets]] |access-date=March 28, 2024 |archive-date=June 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170608230159/http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/industries.php?cycle=Career&cid=N00000616&type=I |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Committee assignments===
[[File:Defense.gov photo essay 100617-N-0696M-128.jpg|thumb|Senators Lieberman and [[John McCain]] talk with Navy Adm. [[Mike Mullen]], [[chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff]] before a [[Senate Armed Services Committee]] hearing, 2010.]]
* '''[[United States Senate Committee on Armed Services|Committee on Armed Services]]'''<ref name="nyt-armed-services-committee">{{cite news |last1=Wayne |first1=Leslie |last2=Natta, Jr. |first2=Don van |title=THE 2000 CAMPAIGN: THE DEMOCRATIC RUNNING MATE; As a Senator, Lieberman Is Proudly Pro-Business |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/08/27/us/2000-campaign-democratic-running-mate-senator-lieberman-proudly-pro-business.html |access-date=March 28, 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=August 27, 2000 |archive-date=March 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240328025027/https://www.nytimes.com/2000/08/27/us/2000-campaign-democratic-running-mate-senator-lieberman-proudly-pro-business.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
** [[United States Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Airland|Subcommittee on Airland]] (Chairman)<ref name="manchin-lieberman-airland">{{cite news |title=Manchin Named Chairman of Armed Services Subcommittee {{!}} U.S. Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia |url=https://www.manchin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/manchin-named-chairman-of-armed-services-subcommittee |access-date=March 28, 2024 |work=Newsroom Press Releases |publisher=Senator Joe Manchin |date=February 28, 2013 |language=en |archive-date=December 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202184922/https://www.manchin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/manchin-named-chairman-of-armed-services-subcommittee |url-status=live }}</ref>
** [[United States Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel|Subcommittee on Personnel]]<ref name="auto1">{{cite report |title=Joseph I. Lieberman – U.S. SENATOR FROM CONNECTICUT |url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CDOC-113sdoc11/pdf/CDOC-113sdoc11.pdf |publisher=[[U.S. Government Printing Office]] |page=vi |access-date=March 29, 2024 |quote="sat on the Personnel and Seapower Subcommittee" |archive-date=November 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231125044925/https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CDOC-113sdoc11/pdf/CDOC-113sdoc11.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
** [[United States Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on SeaPower|Subcommittee on SeaPower]]<ref name="auto1"/>
* '''[[United States Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs|Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs]]''' (Chairman)<ref name="politico-chairman-lose">{{cite news |last1=Thrush |first1=Glenn |title=Lieberman could lose chairmanship |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2008/09/lieberman-could-lose-chairmanship-013274 |access-date=March 28, 2024 |work=Politico |date=September 9, 2008 |archive-date=November 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120103456/https://www.politico.com/story/2008/09/lieberman-could-lose-chairmanship-013274 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="cnn-chairman-lose">{{cite news |last1=Barrett |first1=Ted |last2=Bolduan |first2=Kate |title=Lieberman could lose chairmanship, Democrats warn |url=https://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/09/03/lieberman.chairmanship/index.html |access-date=March 28, 2024 |publisher=CNN |date=September 3, 2008 |archive-date=February 6, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160206193557/http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/09/03/lieberman.chairmanship/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* '''[[United States Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship|Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship]]'''<ref name="ucsc-testify-sbec">{{cite news |last1=Lasnier |first1=Guy |title=UCSC economist Rob Fairlie tells U.S. Senate lack of access to capital hampers minority-owned businesses |url=https://news.ucsc.edu/2010/04/3693.html |access-date=March 28, 2024 |work=UC Santa Cruz News |publisher=Regents of the University of California |date=April 15, 2010 |language=en |archive-date=March 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240328025536/https://news.ucsc.edu/2010/04/3693.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* '''[[United States Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works|Committee on Environment and Public Works]]'''
** [[United States Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Private Sector and Consumer Solutions to Global Warming and Wildlife Protection|Subcommittee on Private Sector and Consumer Solutions to Global Warming]] (Chairman)<ref name="csrwire-enviro-committee">{{cite news |title=Senator Joseph Lieberman To Inaugurate World Environment Center's Washington Sustainability Forum |url=https://www.csrwire.com/press_releases/21821-senator-joseph-lieberman-to-inaugurate-world-environment-center-s-washington-sustainability-forum |access-date=March 28, 2024 |work=CSRWire |date=September 25, 2007 |language=en |archive-date=March 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329234910/https://www.csrwire.com/press_releases/21821-senator-joseph-lieberman-to-inaugurate-world-environment-center-s-washington-sustainability-forum |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Caucus memberships===
* Senate Caucus on Global Internet Freedom<ref name="reuters-internet-freedom-caucus">{{cite news |title=Senators form Internet freedom caucus |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE62L4EO/ |access-date=March 29, 2024 |work=Reuters  |date=March 22, 2010}}</ref>
* Congressional Fire Services Caucus (Co-Chair)<ref name="firehouse-fire-caucus-cc">{{cite news |title=Lieberman to Co-Chair Congressional Fire Caucus |url=https://www.firehouse.com/leadership/news/10464669/lieberman-to-co-chair-congressional-fire-caucus |access-date=March 28, 2024 |work=Firehouse |publisher=Endeavor Business Media |date=December 17, 2010 |archive-date=March 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240328143823/https://www.firehouse.com/leadership/news/10464669/lieberman-to-co-chair-congressional-fire-caucus |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Congressional Public Service Caucus (Co-Chair)<ref name="wpost-cpsc">{{cite news |last1=Barr |first1=Stephen |title=House Members Petition Bush to Endorse Pay Parity |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2004/01/22/house-members-petition-bush-to-endorse-pay-parity/19d54182-dd02-4363-be7e-2cdb4d2cc2a2/ |access-date=March 30, 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=January 22, 2004}}</ref>
* [[United States Congressional International Conservation Caucus|International Conservation Caucus]]<ref name="twc-ansel-adams-award">{{cite web |title=Ansel Adams Award |url=https://www.wilderness.org/ansel-adams-award |website=The Wilderness Society |access-date=March 30, 2024 |language=en |archive-date=September 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922105638/https://www.wilderness.org/ansel-adams-award |url-status=live }}</ref>