Two years ago I was at the Goodwin Hotel in Hartford when U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman resurrected his political career and won the general election despite losing the Democratic Party’s primary.
In launching his third party bid to keep his seat, Lieberman angered many long-time supporters who a few years prior had proudly cheered his nomination as Al Gore’s vice presidential running mate. But he banked on Republicans and unaffiliated voters returning him to office in 2006, and, with some Democrats, they did.
“I will go to Washington beholden to no political group, only to the people of Connecticut and my conscience,” the triumphant Senator told the crowd of supporters and the media that election night.
I’m sure that was a tense day for him. Perhaps internal polls had the Senator well-ahead of Greenwich businessman and Democrat Ned Lamont. But no one feels truly confident until the results are final.
And losing not only the primary but then the general election would have been such an embarrassment for Lieberman. It would have meant a complete rejection by the state he had served for so many years, so his decision to fight for his seat was a major gamble.
Although Lieberman is not up for re-election this year, his political future is again on the line tonight.
He caucused with the Democrats in the closely divided Senate following his return to Washington D.C. in 2006. But Lieberman then decided to endorse friend Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, in his bid for president.
And his efforts for McCain did not end there. Lieberman has played an active role in the campaign, speaking at the Republican National Convention, defending the choice of vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin, and visiting battleground states on McCain’s and Palin’s behalf.
When McCain delivered his final campaign speech in Colorado today, Lieberman was standing behind him.
A McCain loss tonight will be a personal blow for Lieberman, who had hoped his cross-endorsement would lure some Democrats and unaffiliated voters to the GOP ticket. But a significant Democratic victory could make Lieberman less of a factor in Congress. He could also face repercussions from his party.
So while most of the attention tonight is on the presidential race, you’ve got to wonder what’s going through the mind of Connecticut’s junior senator as he again sweats the results of another political gamble.