Bysiewicz, Murphy Throw Names Into 2012 Election

By Matt Clyburn

Independent Senator Joe Lieberman has announced that he will not seek reelection in 2012, signaling the end of a controversial era in both state and national politics.

Senator Lieberman delivered his address in Stamford Wednesday in front of a crowd of long time supporters, members of the press and three generations of family members.

“I feel good about what I’ve accomplished, but I know that it is the right decision and I must say, having made it, I’m excited about beginning a new chapter of life with new opportunities,” Lieberman said in his address.

Following Lieberman’s loss to businessman and adjunct professor at CCSU Ned Lamont in the 2006 Democratic primary, many political analysts believed a second run under an independent banner would be unsuccessful.

The four term senator downplayed the speculation Wednesday, asserting that his decision to step aside was for personal reasons.  Lieberman quipped, “Some people have said that if I ran for reelection it would be a difficult campaign for me – so what else is new?”

Lieberman’s confirmation of departure from the U.S. Senate followed a press conference by former Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz Tuesday announcing her intentions to run for the legislative position next year as a Democrat.

According to News 8, internal polling conducted and funded by Bysiewicz in recent weeks shows that she would win a potential match-up against all Democratic and Republican candidates that have been mentioned for the race, including former Republican senatorial candidate Linda McMahon, Second District Congressman Joe Courtney, Branford lawyer Ted Kennedy Jr. and Fifth District Congressman Chris Murphy.

Wasting no time, Murphy announced on Thursday his intentions to challenge Bysiewicz in the Democratic primary next year – an early indicator of a long and hard-fought campaign to come.  To be sure, many political insiders expect McMahon, former gubernatorial candidate Tom Foley and former Lieutenant Governor Michael Fedele to decide on the 2012 race within the next few months.

The slew of announcements came to Connecticut residents just under 80 days after the conclusion of the 2010 election in which former Attorney General Richard Blumenthal battled McMahon for the chance to represent the state alongside Senator Lieberman. Blumenthal emerged victorious after the Nov. 2 election and assumed office on Jan. 5 of this year.

Senator Lieberman will serve the rest of his term through January of 2013 until the new Senator-elect assumes office. Until that time, Lieberman will likely face continued criticism from both sides of the aisle for his positions on major issues.

Lieberman began to show divergence from the Democratic ‘party line’ during the presidency of George W. Bush, as he supported the executive branch on matters of foreign policy. Most notable among these was his support for the Iraq War and the ensuing ‘troop surge’ largely credited with stabilizing military operations in the country.

Liberal and progressive members of the Democratic Party began to distance themselves from Lieberman during his 2006 bid for reelection, many of whom supported challenger Lamont. Upon losing the nomination, Lieberman formed the Connecticut for Lieberman Party and ran as an independent. Gaining significant ballot support from Connecticut’s unaffiliated and Republican voters, Lieberman won reelection and assumed his fourth term in January of 2007.

In 2008, Senator Lieberman chose to endorse the Republican candidate for president, Arizona Senator John McCain, and worked as a speech preparation coach for McCain’s running mate and vice presidential candidate, former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.

Leading up to the passage of the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Lieberman was in the news again for blocking key provisions of the proposed health care reform in committee.  Lieberman voted in favor of the PPACA and the bill was signed into law in March of 2010 by President Obama. More recently, Senator Lieberman led the charge to repeal the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy that prohibited gays from serving openly in the U.S. military.

Speculation is mounting that Lieberman may take on a diminished role as a special envoy or adviser to the president. Others believe he may be considered for the Secretary of Defense post in the next administration or at the beginning of President Obama’s second term. Arizona Senator John McCain and longtime friend told CNN that Lieberman is “one of the most informed members of the Senate on national security issues and homeland security issues.”

Andrew McDonald, former state senator from Stamford and legal counsel to Governor Malloy, told the Hartford Courant Wednesday that Lieberman is “very comfortable” with his prospects for the future.

“I’ve never shied away from a good fight,” Lieberman said in Wednesday’s press conference, “and I never will.”