|
|
December 20, 2002/Tevet 15 5763, Vol. 55, No. 17
Lieberman likely to run for president
MATTHEW E. BERGER
Jewish Telegraphic Agency
WASHINGTON - Can a Jew become president in America? We may soon find out.
Sen. Joseph Lieberman (D-Conn.) is expected to announce his candidacy for president next month. An announcement seems more likely following former Vice President Al Gore's announcement Dec. 15 that he would not seek the 2004 nomination.
Lieberman had pledged he would not run against Gore, his partner on the Democratic ticket in 2000.
"He has not been shy in saying he's most likely going to do this," a senior Lieberman adviser said. "But it's not 100 percent sure, it's not a done deal."
Analysts and advisers say they have seen no evidence that Lieberman's faith would hinder his campaign.
Many cite the warm reception when Lieberman ran as the Democratic candidate for vice president as proof that American voters are ready for a Jew as president.
"I think what we learned in 2000 is that while there is anti-Semitism in this country it's not widespread in the population, and people are willing to vote for a Jew on a national ticket," said Mark Mellman, a Democratic pollster.
One analyst said vice presidential candidates rarely help presidential campaigns - and can only hurt them. The fact that Lie-berman didn't hurt Gore's candidacy "is a strong statement about America," the analyst said.
In fact, Lieber-man's devotion to his faith - he is an observant Jew - could be a draw for religious voters of all faiths.
"The people of real faith have real appeal across America," Mellman said.
If Lieberman does seek the White House, analysts said his Judaism will be less of an issue this time around, simply because it's old news.
"The real issues that were breakthrough issues were dealt with in 2000," said Steven Bayme, director of contemporary Jewish life for the American Jewish Committee.
But curiosity about Judaism, which spiked during Lie-berman's candidacy, likely would peak again and last longer if Lieberman seeks the White House, Bayme said.
Lieberman said Dec. 16 that he would announce whether he'll run only in early January, giving him time to consult with family and friends.
He also is traveling to the Middle East this week, where he is expected to meet with American troops stationed in the Persian Gulf and with political leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.
But many believe Lieber-man will throw his hat into the ring, and will announce in his home state of Connecticut, sources said.
"I said I probably would run if Al Gore doesn't run, and that remains the case," Lieberman said Dec. 16.
When he was chosen as Gore's running mate before the August 2000 Democratic convention, Lieber-man evoked strong emotions among American Jews.
Jewish leaders initially were exultant about Lieber- man's nomination - though some feared an anti-Semitic backlash.
Abraham Foxman, national director of the Anti-Defamation League, says that while American voters have "matured" to the point where they can accept a Jewish candidate, some Jewish leaders worry that a Jewish candidate would be seen as a public spokesman for the religion, and any misstep could give the faith a black eye.
Lieberman made no major mistakes during the 2000 campaign, but he did face criticism from some American Jewish leaders, including Foxman, for consistently invoking God in his campaign appearances.
"The line of church and state is an important one and has always been hard for us to draw, but in recent years we have gone far beyond what the framers ever imagined in separating the two," Lieberman said in an October 2000 speech at the University of Notre Dame. "So much so that we have practically banished religious values and religious institutions from the public square."
His comments - and others like them - drew criticism from ADL leaders, who said that "appealing along religious lines, or belief in God, is contrary to the American ideal."
Lieberman is considered to have a decent shot at the 2004 Democratic nomination, consistently ranking in the top half of polls along with Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), former House minority leader Richard Gephardt (D-Mo.) and Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.).
It is unclear whether any Democrat would have a shot against President Bush, whose popularity ratings are high.
In a race where most Democratic candidates will work to attract the votes of liberal party loyalists, Lieberman could cast himself as a moderate alternative, some analysts said.
In fact, Lieberman has parted company with a majority of the Jewish community on his support for faith-based initiatives, which allows government funding for religious organizations that offer social services.
|
