Lieberman Debuts as Gore's Pick

STAMFORD, Conn.--Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman (D-Conn.) returned to a warm and enthusiastic welcome from his hometown Wednesday, two days after Vice President Al Gore '69 selected him as the first Jewish politician to join a major party's presidential ticket.

"I cannot put into words the pride I feel to be the first Jewish-American candidate for Vice President of the United States," an emotional Lieberman said before a standing room only crowd of over 700 people at the Stamford Italian Center.

Both Gore and Lieberman--who spent Wednesday morning in Gore's hometown of Carthage, Tenn.--emphasized diversity during their speeches, claiming Lieberman's selection would "open the doors to other Americans."

"He didn't just choose a running mate--he chose to make history," Lieberman said, comparing the selection to when John F. Kennedy '40 was elected the first Roman Catholic president.

Gore quoted another Connecticut native, Mark Twain, when explaining why he chose Lieberman, saying, "Do the right thing: It will gratify your friends and astonish your enemies."

"A lot of people here are gratified by this pick, a lot of people out there are astonished by this pick and a lot of people are just plain happy about this pick," the vice president said.

After two former high school classmates introduced him, Lieberman reminisced about his childhood in Stamford and his pride at returning home.

"The first moment I choked up," Lieberman said, was when he saw a copy of the Stamford Advocate, with its front-page headline--"He's Coming Home."

In one of the most poignant moments of his speech, Lieberman recounted how Stamford embraced his grandmother, an immigrant from Central Europe.

"She used to walk to synagogue on the Sabbath, and very often her Christian neighbors would pass her on the street and say 'Good Sabbath,'" Lieberman said. "That was a source of endless delight and gratitude to her."

"My grandmother was one of the most patriotic Americans I ever knew because she had something to compare America to," he added.

The night was marked by glowing tributes from local and state officials.

"You can do what he did--that is the American dream," said Conn. Attorney General Richard M. Blumenthal '67, who succeeded Lieberman as the state's top lawyer in 1991.

After Lieberman's speech, Blumenthal, a former Crimson executive, praised Lieberman's ability to rise to such heights in a political system that he says can too often turn ugly.

"For a person of real merit to reach that high is a testament to our political process," Blumenthal said.

Rep. James H. Maloney III '70 (D-Conn.) praised Lieberman but joked about the Yale-educated senator joining a ticket with Gore.

Politicians were not the only ones cheering Lieberman. Stamford residents lined the path of the motorcade that whisked Gore and Lieberman back to the airport. One Gore supporter even sported a red, white and blue Gore-Lieberman yarmulke.

Tom Hickey, whose family has lived in Stamford for four generations, said he was proud to have his hometown represented by Lieberman.

"I'm amazed...that out of all of the communities and towns in the USA, that someone this close to us could rise to this position," Hickey said.

In the latest polls, Gore and Lieberman are virtually tied with Texas Gov. George W. Bush and his running mate Richard B. Cheney, after falling to a double-digit deficit after last week's Republican convention. The Democrats will hold their convention next week.

"He's electrified the campaign," Hickey said. "He's caused people to turn their heads and notice."

One Harvard student following the campaign agreed.

"[Lieberman's] provided the balance Gore needs," said Jessica L. Richman '01, the vice president of the Harvard College Democrats, who is also from Connecticut. "They are certainly heading in the right direction."

Even some Republicans praised the selection of Lieberman, citing his strong religious background and support for family values.

"He's very well respected and has a lot of integrity," said Moshe Y. Spinowitz '02, who is co-chair of Harvard Hillel's Jews for Conservative

"He will undoubtedly be an asset to the ticket," said Robert R. Porter '00-'01, the chair of Harvard Students for Bush.

Some said Gore's selection of Lieberman was an attempt to distance himself from the scandals of the Clinton administration--Lieberman was one of the first Democrats to publicly criticize the President's affair with Monica Lewinsky.

But Harvard Republican Club President Jason P. Brinton '99-'01 said voters will eventually focus on Bush and Gore, not their vice-presidential picks.

"In the end, it will come down to the presidential candidates, and what they stand for," he said.