The Genial, Jewish Joseph Lieberman

At a moment when political passions have turned American politics into a vicious battlefield, Joseph Lieberman stood out as a believer in a different view. Lieberman‘s life and political career were tributes to the famous words once spoken by Abraham Lincoln: “We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory will swell when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.”

That is how Joe Lieberman approached politics: there were opponents, who for sure had to be defeated, but there were no enemies. The goal was to win, not to destroy or humiliate. Friendship and partnership were more important than party labels, because politics was about the common good—and was never an excuse for vilifying someone who simply disagreed with you.

In all of this, Lieberman was certainly rowing against the stream of American political life. Partisan and ideological divisions deepened during his political career, which began in Connecticut in 1971. But 40 years as a politician never changed him. The words being used today about his geniality and civility are the right ones. The sickness in our politics never poisoned Joe Lieberman.