Joseph Lieberman

Joseph Lieberman, the perennial political chameleon, made waves as a U.S. Senator from Connecticut from 1989 to 2013 with his blend of centrist independence and bipartisan charm. Born on February 24, 1942, Lieberman is perhaps best remembered for his 2000 vice-presidential bid with Al Gore—an election so close it felt like a game of political dodgeball. Known for his pragmatic approach, Lieberman dabbled in a bit of everything from homeland security to Medicare expansion. In 2006, he famously jumped ship from the Democratic primary loss to a triumphant independent victory, proving that when one door closes, a Senate seat might open. Even after hanging up his Senate spurs, Lieberman has remained a vocal commentator, proving that once a political powerhouse, always a political powerhouse.