Joe Lieberman Backs Rep. Pete King

In a move that surprised politicians in both parties, former Connecticut Senator and 2000 Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Joe Lieberman recently made a campaign appearance on behalf of Republican Rep. Pete King.

Lieberman, who now lives in New York, hailed King's record as one of the foremost leaders in Congress for national security and in the fight against terrorism. Both issues have been important to securing Democratic support for King, who has represented the 2nd District since 1992.

"Joe Lieberman is a proud Democrat and I, of course, am a Republican," King said, recalling how they worked closely when he chaired the House Homeland Security Committee and Lieberman was chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Committee. "But that never once factored into the work we had to do to fight Islamist terrorism. I will always be proud to stand with Joe Lieberman and be able to call him my friend."

Since he unseated liberal Republican Sen. Lowell Weicker (CT) back in 1988, Lieberman has always been considered a pro-defense Democrat. Although he had been the Democratic vice presidential nominee with Al Gore on the ticket that lost to George W. Bush and Dick Cheney in 2000, Lieberman nonetheless supported Bush on the war on terror.

In 2008, Lieberman's commitment to national security led him to break party ranks and back Republican John McCain for president over Barack Obama — the first time a past member of a national Democratic ticket supported a Republican for president since 1928 presidential nominee Alfred E. Smith backed Franklin Roosevelt's three GOP opponents in 1936, 1940, and 1944.

In proudly accepting Lieberman's support, King said the Democrat is again "putting country before party. "