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Gore Selects Lieberman as Running Mate
Democratic presidential candidate Al Gore asked Senator Joseph Lieberman to be his running mate on Monday, and the Connecticut moderate accepted, making him the first Jew to run on a major national ticket.
Gore telephoned Lieberman with the offer at about midday, and the senator, following a brief prayer, agreed, Gore campaign aides said.
Lieberman headed to Nashville to join Gore for a private dinner on Monday night and then appear with him at a formal announcement on Tuesday at Nashville's War Memorial Plaza.
"The vice president asked me if I would do him the honour of running with him and I said, `Believe me, it's my honour,'" Lieberman said as he left his home en route to Tennessee. "I'm humbled, I'm grateful, I'm proud and I'm excited because I believe in you."
Gore and Lieberman will campaign together through Friday before going separate ways to the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles next week where they will be nominated as the party's standard-bearers.
Lieberman, 58, an Orthodox Jew and political moderate, has long been considered one of the most thoughtful and respected members of Congress.
The selection of Lieberman as running mate was seen as an attempt by Gore, trailing in the polls to his Republican foe, Texas Gov. George W. Bush, to reach out to independents and moderate Republicans.
The two-term senator has successfully courted both groups of voters, while earning a record as pro-business, pro-environment, pro-military and being a moral force.
Lieberman was the first Democratic senator to scold President Bill Clinton publicly for the Monica Lewinsky scandal, but called for him to be censured rather than impeached.
In a Senate floor speech, Lieberman said of Clinton's sexual affair with the former White House intern, "Such behaviour is not just inappropriate, it is immoral and it is harmful, for it sends a message of what is acceptable behaviour to the larger American family, particularly to our children."
On vacation in Edgartown, Massachusetts, on Monday, Clinton called Lieberman "an extraordinary guy" and a friend for 30 years. But he would not comment directly on the Democratic ticket until Gore's choice was formally announced.
Bush spokesman Ari Fleischer said in a statement that Lieberman was a "good man whom Governor Bush and (former Defence) Secretary (Dick) Cheney respect," but added, "Al Gore has chosen a man whose positions are more similar to Governor Bush's than to his own."
Gore spokesman Chris Lehane brushed off the comments, saying Lieberman and Gore had joined forces on many issues, from environmental protection to spurring economic growth.
"Our ticket represents the `new guard,' while they represent the 'old guard,' which would bring back recession and deficits," Lehane said.
Gore made up his mind on Lieberman shortly past midnight (0400 GMT) following a series of meetings with aides, and with what one source described as "no concern whatsoever" about any voter prejudice against Lieberman because of his religion.
"Al Gore has tremendous faith in the American people," the source said. "He knows they respect leaders who put faith and family first."
A Gallup Poll in 1999 found that 92 percent of voters surveyed said they would vote for a Jew if the person was qualified, up from 42 percent in 1947.
Earlier, in speaking with reporters in Nashville, Gore would not confirm his choice but talked about his decision.
"I'm going to pick someone who will be able to become president on a moment's notice, if that should ever become necessary," Gore said. "I will pick someone who shares my values, who would be a good partner for me and who will join me in fighting for the people, not the powerful."
Lieberman has served the past five years as chairman of the Democratic Leadership Council, a centrist group Gore helped found in 1985 and that Clinton formerly headed.
Gore picked Lieberman from a short list of possible running mates that included Sens. John Kerry of Massachusetts, John Edwards of North Carolina and Evan Bayh of Indiana, House Democratic Leader Dick Gephardt of Missouri and New Hampshire Gov. Jeanne Shaheen.
Stu Rothenberg of the nonpartisan Rothenberg Political Report, said of Lieberman, "I think he is a good pick, but I don't see him changing the dynamics of the election."
"Joseph Lieberman is a well-regarded, serious, thoughtful veteran of Washington whose character is unimpeachable," Rothenberg said. "I used the same words to describe Dick Cheney," when the former congressman and defence secretary was named as Bush's running mate."
"I don't see either guy shaking up the race," Rothenberg said. "Voters will decide between Gore and Bush."
Gore spokesman Lehane said Gore telephoned Lieberman shortly past noon (1600 GMT) on Monday and invited the senator to join him on the Democratic ticket and for dinner.
"Senator Lieberman accepted, noting that he did not have a better offer," Lehane quipped.
Lieberman, who was first elected to the Senate in 1988 and re-elected in 1994, has been a major force on defence and foreign policy. He strongly supported the Gulf War resolution in 1991 and pushed for "final victory" over Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.
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