Lieberman announces retirement, says it’s ‘time to turn the page’

Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) told supporters Wednesday he will not seek reelection in 2012, officially shutting the door on a Senate career that has spanned more than two decades.

Flanked by his wife and three children, Lieberman said at an event in Stamford, Conn., he has no intention of ending his career in public service, saying he’s looking forward to “new opportunities.”

{mosads}”I have decided it is time to turn the page to a new chapter, and so I will not be a candidate for reelection to a fifth term in the U.S. Senate in 2012,” Lieberman said in prepared remarks. “This was not an easy decision for me to make because I have loved serving in the Senate and I feel good about what I have accomplished. But I know it is the right decision and, I must say, I am excited about beginning a new chapter of life with new opportunities.” 

Lieberman pushed back against the notion he’s bowing out because the odds are against him winning another term. While he acknowledged a 2012 race would be an uphill battle, he said, “I’ve never shied from a good fight and I never will.”  

The independent would have faced a tough road in 2012, with the math in a three-way contest stacked heavily against him.

Running as an independent, Lieberman likely would have had to win more than 70 percent of the Republican vote to be competitive. That would have been next to impossible given Republicans showed no intention of rolling over for Lieberman in 2012, as they did in 2006. 

Reflecting on his time in Senate, Lieberman said he has “not always fit comfortably into conventional political boxes,” but said he has no regrets about working with Republicans, particularly on foreign policy.

Lieberman said he was proud to have served under — and worked with — four presidents on “policies which ousted the invading Iraqi military from Kuwait, ended the genocide of Muslims in the Balkans, and liberated Iraq, Afghanistan and the world from brutally repressive, anti-American dictatorships.” 

Lieberman’s exit sets up another open-seat Senate contest in 2012 — one that Democrats are already jumping at. Former Connecticut Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz got into the race even before the news of Lieberman’s decision to bow out broke Tuesday night.

Most observers expect Rep. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) to jump into the race, too. Fellow Rep. Joe Courtney (D-Conn.) is also considering a run. 

Given Connecticut’s blue tinge, Democrats are hopeful Lieberman’s decision paves the way for a more reliable Democrat to capture the seat in 2012.    

“Connecticut’s a blue state,” said former state party Chairman George Jepsen. “Not only do I think Obama will be reelected in 2012, but he’ll run strong in Connecticut, which helps our nominee.”

Still, Republicans are warning Democrats not to be overconfident in their 2012 chances just because of Democrat Richard Blumenthal’s win in 2010. 

“We see this as a great opportunity for Republicans to win a seat in 2012,” said state GOP Chairman Chris Healy, who warned Democrats could find a more hostile climate in the state next year given Connecticut’s budget woes. 

“The mood of the voters up here, I think, will be a challenge for [Democrats],” he said. “There will be a lot of pent-up anger among people who will end up paying more in taxes.”  

On the Republican side, self-funder Linda McMahon, the party’s 2010 nominee against Blumenthal, is still the first name being uttered.

Despite spending some $50 million of her own money during her failed race, she is still seen as a credible contender among party insiders, according to one GOP strategist in the state. The early betting is that McMahon is leaning toward another run in 2012.    

Another option for the GOP is former ambassador Tom Foley, who lost the 2010 race for governor in Connecticut by a razor-thin margin to Democrat Dan Malloy. Foley started the cycle by jumping in the race for former Sen. Chris Dodd’s (D) seat but opted for the governor’s race instead after former Gov. Jodi Rell (R) announced she wouldn’t run. 

Also on the list is former Rep. Rob Simmons (R-Conn.), who lost a primary to McMahon in 2010. It’s no secret Simmons still harbors Senate ambitions after being tossed aside in favor of McMahon by party insiders last cycle. Republicans in the state said Tuesday they wouldn’t be surprised by another Simmons bid.