Former United States (US) President Barrack Obama has sent condolences after the death of former Senator Joe Lieberman.
Joe Lieberman, a longtime senator from Connecticut and Democratic vice-presidential nominee, died on Wednesday, March 27 in New York City.
According to a statement released by the family, the 82-year-old died “due to complications from a fall.
“Lieberman died this afternoon, March 27, 2024, in New York City due to complications from a fall. He was 82 years old. His beloved wife, Hadassah, and members of his family were with him as he passed,” the statement said.
“Senator Lieberman’s love of God, his family, and America endured throughout his life of service in the public interest.”
Barrack Obama Condolence Message
In a statement on X, Obama praised Lieberman’s career and the time he spent advocating for the right of the people of Connecticut.
The former President further acknowledged that he was not getting along with Lieberman during their time in US politics.
“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 wrote.
Obama explained that the Senator helped his government pass the Affordable Care Act through his fight against the “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy on military service of non-heterosexual people.
“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,” he said.
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Joe Lieberman Political Career Pointers
Lieberman political career peaked when was chosen by Democratic presidential nominee Al Gore in 2000 as his running mate.
The disputed election was eventually decided by the Supreme Court in favor of then-Texas Gov. George W. Bush.
His political evolution sped up after September 2001, his hawkish instincts on foreign policy fueled differences between him and the Democrats.
He supported US invasion of Iraq in 2003 prolonging the conflict against the wish of his fellow democrats.
Lieberman’s differences with his party widened in 2004 when campaigned for the Democratic presidential nomination.
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He lost the Democratic primary for the Senators seat in 2006 but he ran as an independent candidate and won.
Lieberman angered the Democrats further when he attended the Republican National Convention in 2008.
He justified his decision stating that he was supporting his friend, then Arizona Sen. John McCain, Republican presidential nominee that year.
In the same year, Lieberman criticized Sen. Barack Obama, the Democratic nominee, as “a gifted and eloquent young man” but warned that he was too inexperienced to be president.
His death comes ten years after he announced his retirement from the Senate in 2013.
