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TUESDAY, JANUARY 14, 2003

Senator Joe Lieberman (D-Connecticut), a noted critic of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, announced on Monday that he was running for president in 2004.

At a speech in his hometown of Stanford, Lieberman said he was entering the race on behalf of the "American people." He accused President Bush of failing to deliver on promises to increase economic opportunities for middle-class citizens and called on the nation to rise above partisan politics.

"My friends, two years ago, we were promised a better America, but that promise has not been kept, so today, I am ready to put our country first to fight for what's right for the American people," Lieberman told an enthusiastic crowd. "I'm ready to protect their security, to revive their economy, and to uphold their values."

In 2000, Lieberman made history as the first Jewish vice-presidential candidate, teaming up with Al Gore for a bid that won the popular vote but ultimately failed to capture the White House. Today, he joins a field that so far includes five other Democrats, all of whom are hoping to unseat Bush, an extremely popular president who helped his party claim control over both chambers of Congress last November.

Lieberman stands out among his colleagues for his views on an number of issues. He has fought the entertainment industry, a heavy contributor to Democratic causes, over violent and sexual content and yesterday noted that he supports the use of force as a tool in the "quest for peace."

His views on Indian affairs also put him in a category of his own. In 1997, he introduced a controversial bill that was aimed at preventing financially successful tribes from restoring their land base. It was a direct hit at a tribe in his backyard -- the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, the owners of a highly profitable casino.

"[G]iven the financial resources of the tribe and the apparent willingness of the Department of Interior to take land into trust on their behalf regardless of any evidence that the tribe needs additional trust lands, many residents wonder where this will lead," he said during a Congressional hearing on the subject. He also criticized tribes that made large dollar campaign contributions to his own party.

Last year, he tried to halt all federal recognition decisions at the BIA pending a full-scale reform of the tribal acknowledgment process. Along with Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.), who has presidential aspirations of his own, and other lawmakers from Connecticut, he was met with opposition mostly from fellow Democrats -- including Daniel Inouye of Hawaii, who called the effort an affront to the rights of Indian people.

"I think the Indians have waited a long time for justice and I'm sorry to say . . . this does not bring justice to them," Inouye said last September. The moratorium was defeated 80 to 15.

Lieberman also questioned former Assistant Secretary Neal McCaleb's decision last June to recognize a Connecticut tribe. He said he was "troubled" by the approval of the Eastern Pequot Tribe and asked Congressional investigators to look into it.

Other Democrats who are seeking the '04 presidential nomination have had some involvement with tribal issues. Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.) supports the recognition of the Lumbee Tribe, The Native American Times reported.

Former Vermont Governor Howard Dean, on the other hand, has fought against the recognition of the St. Francis Band of the Abenaki Nation. The tribe is first on the BIA's "ready" list of groups awaiting a review of their federal status.

Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) was generally supportive of the Nipmuc Nation's failed recognition efforts but hasn't been visible on the issue. There is only one federally recognized tribe in his state, the Gay Head Wampanoag.

Relevant Documents:
Video: Lieberman Announcement | Text: Lieberman Announcement

Relevant Links:
Sen. Joe Lieberman - http://lieberman.senate.gov

Related Stories:
Senate won't halt federal recognition decisions (09/24)
Conn. critics challenge Eastern Pequot status (09/13)
McCaleb makes recognition history (6/25)
Towns to appeal Pequot ruling (11/7)