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Obama called out for his statement on Joe Lieberman’s death

March 29, 2024 | | Print Article

Former U.S. Senator Joe Lieberman died on Wednesday in New York City after suffering complications from a fall. He was 82 years old.

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

The Democrat-turned-Independent was seen as an iconoclast who often frustrated his former party, although Al Gore (D) tapped him to be his vice presidential nominee in the 2000 election, which was won by George W. Bush.

While not exactly dueling statements, the responses from former Presidents Bush and Barack Obama were quite a contrast, with the latter remaining true to form in making the issue all about himself.

“Joe Lieberman and I didn’t always see eye-to-eye, but he had an extraordinary career in public service, including four decades spent fighting for the people of Connecticut,” Obama said in his statement. “He also worked hard to repeal ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’ and helped us pass the Affordable Care Act. In both cases the politics were difficult, but he stuck to his principles because he knew it was the right thing to do. Michelle and I extend our deepest condolences to Hadassah and the Lieberman family.”

Bush wrote, “Laura and I are saddened by the loss of Joe Lieberman. Joe was as fine an American as they come and one of the most decent people I met during my time in Washington. As a Democrat, Joe wasn’t afraid to engage with Senators from across the aisle and worked hard to earn votes from outside his party. He engaged in serious and thoughtful debate with opposing voices on important issues. And in both loss and victory, Joe Lieberman was always a gentleman. I’m grateful for Joe’s principled service to our country and for the dignity and patriotism he brought to public life. As Laura and I pray for Hadassah and the Lieberman family, we also pray that Joe’s example of decency guides our Nation’s leaders now and into the future.”

Gore released a statement as well, and while he did inject politics into his thoughts, the climate activist kept the focus on his former running mate, who may have been the last (former) Democratic centrist in American politics.

“I am profoundly saddened by the loss of Joe Lieberman,” Gore wrote. “First and foremost, he was a man of devout faith and dedication to his family. My heart goes out to Hadassah, Hana, Matt, Rebecca, Ethan, his sisters, and all those grieving his loss.”

“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 favorite 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,” he continued.

“His fierce dedication to these values was clear even as a young man. When he was about to travel to the South to join the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s, he wrote: ‘I am going because there is much work to be done. I am an American. And this is one nation, or it is nothing.’ Those are the words of a champion of civil rights and a true patriot, which is why I shared that quote when I announced Joe as my running mate,” Gore wrote.

“It was an honor to stand side-by-side with him on the campaign trail. I’ll remain forever grateful for his tireless efforts to build a better future for America.”

Here’s a quick sampling of responses to the story, as seen on X:

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