Editing Joe Lieberman (section)

==Political positions==
{{main|Political positions of Joe Lieberman}}
[[File:Msc 2007-Saturday, 09.00 - 11.00 Uhr-Moerk018 Merkel Leibermann.jpg|thumb|Senator Lieberman with [[German Chancellor]] [[Angela Merkel]] at the 2007 [[Munich Security Conference]]]]
[[File:Senators McCain, Graham, Liberman, and Gillibrand (5169093576 1738c8c1d2 o).jpg|thumb|Senator Lieberman with bipartisan delegation [[John McCain]] (R-AZ), [[Lindsey Graham]] (R-SC) and [[Kirsten Gillibrand]] (D-NY) visit [[International Security Assistance Force]] in Afghanistan and Commander of NATO and ISAF [[David H. Petraeus]] in 2010]]
Lieberman was a strong advocate for the [[Iraq War|war in Iraq]].<ref name="voa-lieberman-iraq">{{cite news |title=US Senator Lieberman Faces Strong Challenge Over Iraq |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/a-13-2006-07-12-voa52/320512.html |access-date=March 29, 2024 |publisher=Voice of America |date=October 31, 2009 |language=en |archive-date=March 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329153949/https://www.voanews.com/a/a-13-2006-07-12-voa52/320512.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He was also a strong supporter of the [[Israel–United States relations|U.S.-Israel relationship]].<ref name="wsj-lieberman-israel">{{cite news |last1=Dershowitz |first1=Alan M. |title=Joe Lieberman's Last Words on Israel |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/joe-liebermans-last-words-on-israel-biden-cant-take-jewish-voters-for-granted-e9774de1 |access-date=March 29, 2024 |work=WSJ Opinion |date=March 28, 2024 |archive-date=March 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329152011/https://www.wsj.com/articles/joe-liebermans-last-words-on-israel-biden-cant-take-jewish-voters-for-granted-e9774de1 |url-status=live }}</ref> On domestic issues, he supported [[free trade]] economics<ref name="latimes-lieberman-free-trade">{{cite news |title=Lieberman Blasts Bush Free-Trade Policies |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-jul-19-na-lieberman19-story.html |access-date=March 29, 2024 |work=Los Angeles Times |agency=Associated Press |date=July 19, 2003 |archive-date=March 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329162808/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-jul-19-na-lieberman19-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> while also reliably voting for pro-trade union legislation.<ref name="nhi-union">{{cite news |last1=Bass |first1=Paul |title=Labor Lifts Lieberman Again |url=https://www.newhavenindependent.org/article/labor_lifts_lieberman_again |access-date=March 30, 2024 |work=New Haven Independent |date=August 22, 2006 |archive-date=March 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329143917/https://www.newhavenindependent.org/article/labor_lifts_lieberman_again |url-status=live }}</ref> As part of the [[Gang of 14]], he opposed filibustering Republican judicial appointments.<ref name="latimes-gang-of-14">{{cite news |last1=Brownstein |first1=Ronald |last2=Hook |first2=Janet |title=High Court Nomination May Prove a Deal-Breaker |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-jul-07-na-assess7-story.html |access-date=March 29, 2024 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=July 7, 2005 |archive-date=December 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207145027/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-jul-07-na-assess7-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Lieberman was a supporter of [[abortion rights]]<ref name="cnn-lieberman-abortion">{{cite news |title=Lieberman defends abortion stance after article |url=http://www.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/12/26/elec04.prez.lieberman.abortion/ |access-date=March 29, 2024 |publisher=CNN |date=December 26, 2003 |archive-date=November 20, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071120145740/http://www.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/12/26/elec04.prez.lieberman.abortion/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and of the [[LGBT rights|rights of gays and lesbians]] to be protected with [[Hate crime laws|hate crime legislation]], and to [[DADT|serve openly]] in the military.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ontheissues.org/2008/Joseph_Lieberman_Civil_Rights.htm |title=Joseph Lieberman on Civil Rights |publisher=Ontheissues.org |access-date=May 24, 2010 |archive-date=June 22, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100622082922/http://www.ontheissues.org/2008/Joseph_Lieberman_Civil_Rights.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Lieberman was one of the Senate's leading opponents of [[violence in video games]] and on television. Lieberman described himself as being "genuinely an Independent", saying "I agree more often than not with Democrats on [[domestic policy]]. I agree more often than not with Republicans on [[foreign policy|foreign]] and [[defense (military)|defense policy]]."<ref>[https://www.foxnews.com/story/sen-joe-lieberman-on-fox-news-sunday Transcript: Sen. Joe Lieberman on 'FOX News Sunday']  [[Fox News]].com. January 28, 2007.</ref> Lieberman was known for his leadership in the successful effort to repeal the [[Don't ask, don't tell]] policy regarding sexual orientation in the U.S. Armed Forces.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/Lieberman-takes-up-liberal-mantle-on-Don-t-Ask-868430.php|title=Lieberman takes up liberal mantle on Don't Ask Don't Tell|first1=Magdalene|last1=Perez|first2=Staff|last2=Writer|date=December 8, 2010|website=StamfordAdvocate|access-date=March 12, 2020|archive-date=May 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200515084627/https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/Lieberman-takes-up-liberal-mantle-on-Don-t-Ask-868430.php|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/stories/0910/42301.html|title=Lieberman airs 'don't ask' doubts|first=Josh|last=Gerstein|website=[[Politico]]|date=September 16, 2010|access-date=March 28, 2024|archive-date=May 20, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130520231618/http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0910/42301.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/23/us/23military.html|title=Obama Ends 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Policy|first=Elisabeth|last=Bumiller|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=July 22, 2011|access-date=March 28, 2024|archive-date=July 23, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723235727/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/23/us/23military.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

During debate on the [[Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act]], Lieberman opposed the public option. As the crucial 60th vote needed to pass the legislation, his opposition to the public option was critical for its removal from the resulting bill.<ref name="auto" /> Lieberman was an integral part in attempting to stop [[WikiLeaks]] from publishing further material using U.S.-based corporations in the [[United States diplomatic cables leak]] of 2010.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/blog/2010/dec/03/wikileaks-tableau-visualisation-joe-lieberman |title=WikiLeaks cables visualisation pulled after pressure from Joe Lieberman |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=December 3, 2010 |access-date=December 3, 2010 |location=London |first=Charles |last=Arthur |archive-date=September 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190917211208/https://www.theguardian.com/world/blog/2010/dec/03/wikileaks-tableau-visualisation-joe-lieberman |url-status=live }}</ref> That same year, he joined Republican Senator Scott Brown and bipartisan House members [[Jason Altmire]] and [[Charlie Dent]] in introducing the Terrorist Expatriation Act, which proposed stripping citizenship rights from Americans who took arms against the United States or provided material support to enemy combatants. The bill received mixed reviews and was heavily criticized by some senior Democrats.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.jurist.org/news/2010/05/us-lawmakers-introduce-bill-to-strip-terror-suspects-of-citizenship-rights/ | author=Jaclyn Belczyk | date=May 7, 2010 | website=Jurist | title=U.S. lawmakers introduce bill to strip terror suspects of citizenship rights | access-date=March 28, 2024 | archive-date=July 29, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230729010406/https://www.jurist.org/news/2010/05/us-lawmakers-introduce-bill-to-strip-terror-suspects-of-citizenship-rights/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title=Bill targets citizenship of terrorist allied | author1=Charlie Savage | author2=Carl Hulse | date=May 6, 2010 | newspaper=[[The New York Times]] | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/07/world/07rights.html | access-date=March 28, 2024 | archive-date=May 9, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100509063426/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/07/world/07rights.html | url-status=live }}</ref>

In June 2015, Lieberman was a signatory to a public letter written by a bipartisan group of 19 U.S. diplomats, experts, and others, on the then-pending negotiations for an [[Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action|agreement between Iran and world powers]] over Iran's nuclear program.<ref name="BroadLetter">William J. Broad, [https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/15/world/middleeast/iran-nuclear-accords-complexity-shows-bipartisan-letters-impact.html Iran Accord's Complexity Shows Impact of Bipartisan Letter] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213145304/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/15/world/middleeast/iran-nuclear-accords-complexity-shows-bipartisan-letters-impact.html |date=December 13, 2021 }}, ''The New York Times'' (July 14, 2015).</ref><ref name="JuneLetter">[http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/public-statement-on-u.s.-policy-toward-the-iran-nuclear-negotiations Public Statement on U.S. Policy Toward the Iran Nuclear Negotiations Endorsed by a Bipartisan Group of American Diplomats, Legislators, Policymakers, and Experts] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212091640/http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/public-statement-on-u.s.-policy-toward-the-iran-nuclear-negotiations |date=December 12, 2020 }}, Washington Institute for Near East Policy (June 24, 2015).</ref> That letter outlined concerns about several provisions in the then-unfinished agreement and called for a number of improvements to strengthen the prospective agreement and win the letter-writers' support for it.<ref name="BroadLetter" /> The final agreement, concluded in July 2015, shows the influence of the letter.<ref name="BroadLetter" />

In May 2021, Lieberman expressed support for Israel in the [[Israeli–Palestinian conflict]] and praised "the quiet and effective diplomacy of President Biden, who was not drawn in by the left of the Democratic Party to essentially take a stand against Israel."<ref>{{cite news |title=Lieberman on Israel-Gaza conflict: Sanders, 'Squad' are 'furthest' from American values |url=https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/lieberman-israel-gaza-conflict-sanders-squad-american-values |work=FOX Business |date=May 21, 2021 |access-date=March 28, 2024 |archive-date=January 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240106113943/https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/lieberman-israel-gaza-conflict-sanders-squad-american-values |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Iraq War ===
Lieberman was a supporter of the Iraq War and urged action against Iran. In July 2008, Lieberman spoke at the annual conference of [[Christians United for Israel]] (CUFI). In July 2009, he accepted CUFI's "Defender of Israel Award" from [[John Hagee]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090726011344/http://jta.org/news/article/2009/07/23/1006730/cufi-conference-brings-criticism-of-obama-administration Christian Zionist parley: Don't pressure Israel] by Eric Fingerhut, Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA), July 23, 2009.</ref> Pastor Hagee, CUFI's founder and leader, made a number of controversial remarks, including a statement that the Catholic Church is "the great whore" and a suggestion that God allowed [[the Holocaust]] to happen to bring the Jews to Israel.<ref name="JePo">{{cite news |url=http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1215331075715&pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull |title=Lieberman backs Hagee despite calls from Jews to cut ties |newspaper=[[The Jerusalem Post]] |date=July 23, 2008 |first=Mary |last=Krieger |access-date=July 23, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713123430/http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1215331075715&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull |archive-date=July 13, 2011 }}</ref>

=== Islamic extremism  ===
In April 2010, Lieberman blasted President Obama for stripping terms like "[[Islamic extremism]]" from a key national security document, calling the move dishonest, wrong-headed, and disrespectful to the majority of Muslims who are not terrorists.<ref>{{cite web |title=Senator: Dropping 'Islamic extremism' term is 'Orwellian and counterproductive'&nbsp;– Military News and Comment |url=http://politifi.com/news/Senator-Dropping-Islamic-extremism-term-is-Orwellian-and-counterproductive-440572.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405220929/http://politifi.com/news/Senator-Dropping-Islamic-extremism-term-is-Orwellian-and-counterproductive-440572.html |archive-date=April 5, 2022 |access-date=August 8, 2010 |publisher=Politifi.com}}</ref>

=== Filibuster ===
While favoring the [[filibuster]] and threatening to use it in 2009 to eliminate a public health option as part of the healthcare proposal, Lieberman once strongly opposed the filibuster. In 1995, he joined with Senator [[Tom Harkin]] to co-sponsor an amendment to kill the filibuster. Lieberman told the ''[[Hartford Courant]]'': "The filibuster hurts the credibility of the entire Senate and impedes progress."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/ns/msnbc_tv-rachel_maddow_show#34423698 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090526094755/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/ns/msnbc_tv-rachel_maddow_show#34423698 |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 26, 2009 |title=TV, Rachel Maddow Show, Dec&nbsp;14, 2009 |publisher=[[MSNBC]]|access-date=May 24, 2010}}</ref>

=== Surveillance ===
Lieberman favored greater use of surveillance cameras by the federal government and referred to attempts by Congress to investigate illegal wiretapping as "partisan gridlock". On June 19, 2010, Lieberman introduced a bill called "[[Protecting Cyberspace as a National Asset Act|Protecting Cyberspace as a National Asset Act of 2010]]",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:S3480: |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141229234340/http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111%3AS3480%3A |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 29, 2014 |title=Protecting Cyberspace as a National Asset Act of 2010 |work=[[THOMAS]] |publisher=The Library of Congress |access-date=December 18, 2012}}</ref> which he co-wrote with Senator [[Susan Collins]] (R-ME) and Senator [[Thomas Carper]] (D-DE). If signed into law, this controversial bill, which the American media dubbed the "[[Internet kill switch]]", would grant the President emergency powers over the Internet; however, all three co-authors of the bill issued a statement claiming that instead, the bill "[narrowed] existing broad Presidential authority to take over telecommunications networks".<ref name="nokillswitch">[http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/security/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=225701368&subSection=News Senators Say Cybersecurity Bill Has No 'Kill Switch'] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120921025259/http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/security/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=225701368&subSection=News |date=September 21, 2012}}, informationweek.com, June 24, 2010. Retrieved June 25, 2010.</ref> American [[computer security]] specialist and author [[Bruce Schneier]] objected to the "kill switch" proposal on the basis that it rests on several faulty assumptions and that it's "too coarse a hammer". However, Schneier also wrote: "Defending his proposal, Sen. Lieberman pointed out that China has this capability. It's debatable whether or not it actually does, but it's actively pursuing the capability because the country cares less about its citizens. Here in the U.S., it is both wrong and dangerous to give the president the power and ability to commit Internet suicide and terrorize Americans in this way."<ref>{{cite web |last=Schneier |first=Bruce |author-link=Bruce Schneier |date=July 12, 2010 |title=Internet Kill Switch |url=http://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2010/07/internet_kill_s.html |access-date=December 6, 2010 |work=Schneier on Security |archive-date=December 6, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101206164452/http://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2010/07/internet_kill_s.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Whistleblowing ===
Lieberman was a major opponent of the [[whistle-blowing|whistleblowing]] website [[WikiLeaks]]. His staff "made inquiries" of [[Amazon.com]] and other internet companies such as [[PayPal]], [[Visa Inc.|Visa]], and [[MasterCard]] which resulted in them suspending service to WikiLeaks. Journalist [[Glenn Greenwald]] called Lieberman's actions "one of the most pernicious acts by a U.S. Senator in quite some time," and accused Lieberman of "emulat[ing] Chinese dictators" by "abusing his position as [[United States Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs|Homeland Security]] Chairman to thuggishly dictate to private companies which websites they should and should not host&nbsp;– and, more important, what you can and cannot read on the Internet."<ref>[[Glenn Greenwald|Greenwald, Glenn]] (December 2, 2010) [https://web.archive.org/web/20101203184232/http://www.salon.com/news/opinion/glenn_greenwald/2010/12/01/lieberman/index.html Joe Lieberman emulates Chinese dictators], ''[[Salon.com]]''</ref> Lieberman also suggested that "''[[The New York Times]]'' and other news organisations publishing the U.S. embassy cables being released by WikiLeaks could be investigated for breaking [[Espionage Act of 1917|US espionage laws]]."<ref>Owen, Paul; Adams, Richard; and McAskill, Ewen (December 7, 2010) [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/dec/07/wikileaks-joe-lieberman-new-york-times-investigated WikiLeaks: US Senator Joe Lieberman suggests New York Times could be investigated] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120620233457/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/dec/07/wikileaks-joe-lieberman-new-york-times-investigated |date=June 20, 2012 }}, ''[[The Guardian]]''</ref>

Along with Senators [[John Ensign]] and [[Scott Brown (politician)|Scott Brown]], Lieberman "introduced a bill to amend the [[Espionage Act of 1917|Espionage Act]] in order to facilitate the prosecution of folks like Wikileaks."<ref name=Wittes>[[Benjamin Wittes|Wittes, Benjamin]] (December 6, 2010) [https://www.lawfaremedia.org/2010/12/espionage-act-amendments/ "Espionage Act Amendments"]{{Dead link|date=September 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, ''Lawfare''</ref> Critics have noted that "[l]eaking [classified] information in the first place is already a crime, so the measure is aimed squarely at publishers," and that "Lieberman's proposed solution to WikiLeaks could have implications for journalists reporting on some of the more unsavory practices of the intelligence community."<ref name=Wired>[[Kevin Poulsen|Poulsen, Kevin]] (December 2, 2010) [https://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2010/12/shield "Lieberman Introduces Anti-WikiLeaks Legislation"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140328151343/http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2010/12/shield/ |date=March 28, 2014 }}, ''[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]''</ref> Legal analyst [[Benjamin Wittes]] called the proposed legislation "the worst of both worlds", saying:

{{blockquote|It leaves intact the current World War I–era Espionage Act provision, 18 U.S.C. 793(e), a law [with] many problems&nbsp;... and then takes a currently well-drawn law and expands its scope to the point that it covers a lot more than the most reckless of media excesses. A lot of good journalism would be a crime under this provision; after all, knowingly and willfully publishing material "concerning the human intelligence activities of the United States or any foreign government" is no small part of what a good newspaper does.<ref name=Wittes/>}}

As a result of these statements and actions, Lieberman was perceived as an opponent of Internet [[free speech]] and became the target of [[Anonymous (group)|Anonymous]] attacks under [[Operation Payback]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=McDevitt |first1=Johnny |title=Operation Payback: 'Twitter will fall next' |url=https://www.channel4.com/news/operation-payback-twitter-will-fall-next |access-date=February 22, 2022 |work=Channel 4 News |date=December 9, 2010 |archive-date=February 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222224338/https://www.channel4.com/news/operation-payback-twitter-will-fall-next |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite thesis |last=Marechal |first=Nathalie |date=May 1, 2012 |title=Hackers, Heavies and Heros: Dissent and Control in Cyberworld |type=Masters of Arts |publisher=American University School of International Service |page=18 |ssrn=2047189 |url=https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2047189 |access-date=February 22, 2022 |archive-date=February 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222222835/https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2047189 |url-status=live }}</ref>