Joe Lieberman to retire in 2012

The Washington Post's The Fix ^ | January 18, 2011 | Chris Cillizza

[2ndDivisionVet]

Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman (I) will not seek a fifth term in 2012, according two Democratic sources familiar with the decision.

Lieberman's office did not offer any comment on his plans, saying only that he would make an announcement tomorrow in Stamford, Connecticut. "The Senator's remarks tomorrow will stand on their own," said a Lieberman spokeswoman.

Lieberman will be the second Democratic senator to make public his plans to leave the chamber in the past 24 hours. On Tuesday morning, North Dakota Sen. Kent Conrad said he would not seek a a fifth term in 2012.

On the Republican side, Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison announced her retirement last week.

Lieberman's long awaited decision means an end to a political career that took from the 2000 Democratic vice presidential nominee and 2004 Democratic presidential candidate to a speaking role at the 2008 Republican National Convention in support of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.).

Lieberman's increased alienation from the Democratic party -- primarily over his ardent support for the war in Iraq -- led to his defeat at the hands of cable television executive Ned Lamont in 2006. But, Lieberman formed his own independent party and beat Lamont in a general election to win a fourth term....

[RaceBannon]

just keep that liberal gay supporting and anti-war protestor loving Peter Schiff out

[nutmeg]

Hope you all hop on this and work to elect a real conservative to take Lieberman’s seat!

Isn't gonna happen, FRiend. We worked hard during the 2010 mid-terms to get conservatives and Republicans elected, and our reward? All CT 'RATs were elected / re-elected, despite what happened in the rest of the country.

I'm no Lieberman fan, but at least he's been a hawk when it came to dealing with the Islamofascists. We will end up with an uber-left Senator like Ned Lamont, Chris Murphy or Susan Bysiewicz. Count on it.

Connecticut is completely hopeless, IMO.

[raybbr]

This is HUGH and SERIES for those of us living in Connecticut - I didn't expect this, did you, CT FReepers?

I did. Liebermann's time is up - he knows it and I believe he does this knowing that CT will probably elect another a-hole dem to take his place.

[Carborundum]

I cannot argue with your sentiments. CT is growing to be so leftist that any conservative Pubbie will have no chance at a statewide seat—the only shot may be someone like Scott Brown or Olympia Snow, and even a RINO like one of those two would have a slim chance here. The fact that Murphy retained his seat in congress in 2010 (that had been held by Nancy Johnson for all those years) speaks volumes. IMO,the state should be renamed “South Taxachusetts”.

[nutmeg]

The fact that Murphy retained his seat in congress in 2010 (that had been held by Nancy Johnson for all those years) speaks volumes.

Exactly. Larson and DeLauro are entrenched, and will probably be in Congress for life. Courtney had a lousy candidate run against him (Janet Peckinpaugh). A good Republican candidate in the 2nd district might have worked, who knows?

We had a decent chance to get rid of Murphy (CT-5) and Himes (CT-4), but the idiot voters put them back into office.

Yes, not winning a single seat for the GOP in 2010 of all years speaks volumes. Conclusion: Connecticut is hopeless.