Lieberman praises public life

Joseph Lieberman loves the public life. His 2000 book "In Praise of Public Life," tells readers about his love for politics and his concern with what he perceives to be an increasing number of Americans reluctant to participate in their government. "I remain convinced that the opportunities for making a difference that come with public life are worth the efforts that are necessary to protect the rest of your life," said the Connecticut senator in his book. Lieberman has been working in the public sector for 30 years. After graduating in 1967 from Yale, in his home state of Connecticut, Lieberman was elected to that state's senate. He stayed there 10 years. In 1982 he began a six-year term as Connecticut's Attorney General, and in 1988 Lieberman won election to the U.S. Senate. Lieberman counts his faith as one of the most important parts of his life. Lieberman is Jewish, and after Gore chose him as his running mate, a mild outcry erupted over how the decision would affect Gore's campaign. Some analysts said the move was an attempt to further reach out to the Jewish population and to distinguish himself from George W. Bush, who picked a "safe" white anglo-saxon Protestant as his running mate. Other analysts worried that certain voters would view Lieberman's orthodoxy as extreme and a turnoff. Lieberman has been criticized for promoting the development and importance of faith in Americans' daily lives. To say that America needs to re-focus itself on God's message and purpose, they say, crosses the line in maintaining the separation between church and state. In response to questions about how his commitment to his faith would affect his job as vice-president, Lieberman told reporters he likes to joke that he wouldn't work Saturdays, and Gore, a Christian, wouldn't work Sundays, but between the two of them they'd have the weekend covered. Lieberman lives in New Haven and Washington with his wife, Hadassah, whom he met in 1983 following a divorce from his first wife. The couple has a 12-year-old daughter, and an older son and daughter from his previous marriage. He also has two granddaughters, Tennessee and Willie. Al Gore is from Tennessee. President Bill Clinton's first name is William, but Lieberman's personal home page makes no mention of whether the names are in reference to either individual. Lieberman has voiced support on such diverse issues as workers' rights and a moratorium on Internet taxes. He co-sponsored the International Religious Freedom Act, which "promotes the right to worship freely across the globe," the Lieberman senate Web site said. Republicans argue Lieberman is a supporter of big government and would support wasteful spending of taxpayers' money. In addition, they say, it was wrong for Lieberman to decide to run for re-election in the Senate this year on top of his vice-presidential run. Some have criticized Lieberman's pro-choice stance as out-of-line for someone who advocates following "God's plan." The Gore campaign asserts Lieberman would be a balancing force to the Tennessee senator. Gore, known for his close inspection of details, has been criticized for being unwilling to compromise with his Republican foes. Lieberman might be able to persuade him into bipartisanship, supporters say.