Democratic Presidential candidate Al Gore has selected U.S. Senator Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut to be his running mate. Lieberman, 58, is the first Jewish Vice Presidential candidate from a major party in American history. Gore officially announced his Vice Presidential choice today with Lieberman by his side at a rally in Nashville, Tennessee. Lieberman thanked Gore "for making this miracle possible for me and breaking this barrier for the rest of America forever."
A Moral Crusader
Lieberman is described as a "moderate Democrat" and "moral crusader" who can attract Independent and Republican voters. Lieberman shares a number of views with members of the rival Republican party and was one of the first Democrats to openly criticize President Clinton for the personal behavior that led to his impeachment trial.
Al Gore listens as Senator Joseph Lieberman speaks to suppporters in Nashville, Tennessee.
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A graduate of Yale Law School, where he met and befriended a young Bill Clinton, Lieberman was first elected to the Senate in 1988 and reelected in 1994. During his time in the Senate, Lieberman has been outspoken about campaign finance reform, foreign policy and national defense. In the past, Lieberman joined conservative Republicans in criticizing sex and violence in movies and video games. Lieberman and his wife, Hadassah, live in New Haven, Connecticut, and Washington, D.C. They have four children.
Next stop, the Democratic Convention
Lieberman beat out a pool of five other candidates that were on a short list to become Gore's Vice Presidential running mate. Lieberman and Gore will formally accept their nominations at the Democratic National Convention, which begins on August 14th in Los Angeles, California.
-By Laura C. Girardi
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