PUBLISHER'S NOTEBOOK

Coming Of Age Politically

move. He targeted the popular Ed
Ilir hen Joseph Lieberman
Marcus, a Jew who was serving as
first entered the sanctu-
Democratic
majority leader of the
ary of Bikur Cholim
Connecticut
Senate. Now 16 years of
Shevath Achim in New
age,
I
eagerly
joined Lieberman's cam-
Haven, Conn., and settled into the
paign,
volunteering
to fold letters,
back row of benches, he was about to
stuff
envelopes,
make
phone calls and
embark on a political path that, some
drive
elderly
voters
to
the polls on pri-
30 years later, would earn him the
mary
day.
One
of my fellow
Democratic nomination for
volunteers
was
a
Yale Law
vice president of the United
School
student
named
Bill
States.
Clinton.
In the late 1960s, Lieberman
Even at age 28, Lieber-
was one of a handful of Yalies,
man
was a savvy politician.
or former Yalies, who would
Veering
to the left wing, he
visit the Winthrop Avenue con-
assembled
a coalition of
gregation. But when he pushed
anti-machine
Democrats,
through the sanctuary's large
African-Americans
and Yale
doors, heads turned. He was
intelligentsia
to
outmaneu-
young and blond ... and the
ARTH UR M.
ver the establishment and
hinges squeaked.
HO R WITZ
Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman smiles while listening to Arthur Horwitz tell
topple Marcus. In heavily
Though barely bar mitzvah
Congresswoman
and U.S. Senate candidate Debbie Stabenow a story about his and
Publ isher
Democratic New Haven,
age, I sat in the back rows of
Lieberman's
early
days in New Haven politics.
winning the primary was
benches with my father, Mor-
tantamount to winning the election.
ton, and listened to him greet Lieber-
During the 1976 legislative session,
tion on the 1982 state Democratic
man and engage in small talk. Soon,
I
interned
with
the
Republican
Senate
ticket. The Democrats won, and
A
Worthy
Opponent
the conversation shifted to the hot
leadership.
From
that
unique
position,
Lieberman
soon transformed the office
Lieberman's
skills
didn't
stop
at
the
bal-
political topic of the day: the use of
I
observed
Lieberman
in
the
role
of
into
a
watchdog
for the consumer —
lot
box.
During
his
first
term,
the
state's
busing to desegregate New Haven's
worthy
opponent.
Already
the
Demo-
and
a
platform
for
his continuing
senate districts were redrawn. When the
public schools. It was clear Lieberman
political
aspirations.
cratic
majority
leader,
Lieberman
new
lines
were
unveiled,
Marcus
no
had thoughtful opinions and political
reached across the aisle to Republicans
Because of the Sabbath, he was
longer lived in Lieberman's district. Mar-
aspirations. Local Democratic ward
unable
to attend his party's weekend
to
secure
bipartisan
support
on
issues
cus
changed
his
residency,
challenged
leaders Aaron Estra, Harold Levine
political
conventions. Instead, his
as
diverse
as
funding
for
education
Lieberman
in
1972,
and
lost.
and Herman Galvin, who also were
videotaped
acceptance speeches were
and
creation
of
a
bottle-return
bill.
In
today's
rough-and-tumble
politi-
synagogue regulars, met Lieberman.
With
Democratic
majorities
in
the
played
to
the
delegates.
•
cal
environment,
it's
hard
to
imagine
With Estra and Levine providing
The
1988
election
for
U.S.
Senate
Senate
and
House,
plus
a
Democratic
an
era
when
Republicans
and
Democ-
guidance, and Galvin raising the dol-
would
prove
to
be
pivotal
for
Lieber-
governor,
Lieberman
could
have
rats
were
courteous
to
each
other.
The
lars, Lieberman began mapping his
man. Drawing on his skill at outmaneu-
played hardball — but didn't. His
Connecticut Senate in the 1970s was
political future.
bipartisanship
as
a
U.S.
senator
was
vering
the incumbent Marcus in 1970,
such
a
place.
In 1970, Lieberman made his first
Lieberman spotted an opportunity to
rooted in his Connecticut experience.
topple incumbent Lowell Weicker, a •
With his political career in orbit,
maverick on the outs with his fellow
Lieberman felt himself ready for the big
Republicans. Liebeiman deftly shifted
time — a seat in the U.S. House of
his politics, from left-of-center to center,
Representatives. The retirement of veter-
and managed to retain core Democratic
an Congressman Robert Giairno in
and eventually eliminate the naive
— explored their Jewish roots by visit-
voters while appealing to unhappy con-
1980 provided Lieberman with a golden
Jewish state.
ing historic and religious sites. Hiking,
servatives in the electorate. He won the
opportunity. With a strong power base
bicycling,
rappelling,
disco-dancing,
in
New
Haven
and
a
safe
Democratic
race in a squeaker.
Marc Baker
In contrast, his 1994 reelection to the
seat, Lieberman easily secured his party's
Birmingham camel riding and swimming added to
the fun. Mark Myers, our Israeli shali-
nomination to run against liberal
Senate was a landslide.
ach (emissary); Trudy Weiss, the trip
Lieberman retained, refined and
Republican Larry DeNardis.
coordinator; our rabbis and their
What he didn't anticipate were the
nurtured his centrist positions dur-
madrichim led the teens through their
deep presidential coattails of Republi-
ing his 12 years in the Senate. They
4 1/2-week odyssey with dedication
resonated with Vice President Al
can Ronald Reagan.
and zest.
Gore, the Democratic Party's presi-
DeNardis, a bright college professor,
The Jewish Federation of Metropoli-
Through the support of the Detroit
dential nominee, and his advisers
and fellow state senator and personal
tan Detroit's Teen Mission 2000 has
Federation and the efforts of its chief
friend of Lieberman, pulled off the
when they selected Senator Lieber-
returned from Israel where 282 Jewish
executive officer, Bob Aronson, mis-
man this week as the vice presiden-
upset. In a district with a dominant Ital-
Detroit teenagers and 44 of their
sion costs were subsidized 50 percent,
ian-American presence, DeNardis had
tial candidate.
Israeli counterparts made new friend-
thereby giving virtually every teen the
It's a remarkable American success
the right surname. Lieberman didn't.
ships while experiencing Israel togeth-
opportunity to experience Israel irre-
story that started 30 years ago in the
er.
spective of financial means. Much
back rows of a small Orthodox congre-
Soldiering On
Each of the eight buses — consist-
thanks to the Jewish News for the mag- This was the time for Lieberman to
gation in New Haven. ❑
ing of 35-40 Detroit teens, five-six
nificent photo coverage throughout
throw in the towel. But he didn't.
Israeli teens from our Partnership
the mission and for the encourage-
Instead, he swallowed his pride and
2000 region in the central Galilee, a
Related stories begin on page 6
accepted
the attorney general's posi-
rabbi and four madrichim (counselors)
Related editorial: page 35
LETTERS on page 38

Teen Mission
Huge Success

8/11
2000

37

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