Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Lieberman was endorsed Tuesday by U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings, who cited the Connecticut senator's position on national security and involvement with civil rights issues.``Joe Lieberman, in my view, has extraordinary courage. He has demonstrated that in the Senate and in his personal life,'' Hastings, a Florida Democrat, said during a conference call. ``He has the strength necessary to lead our country in these difficult times.''
Hastings, who lives in the Fort Lauderdale suburb of Miramar in the Democratic stronghold of Broward County, is the 14th lawmaker to endorse Lieberman. Lieberman has also received the backing of fellow Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd, Sen. Thomas Carper of Delaware and 10 other House members.
``All of you know his unparalleled record on national security issues,'' Hastings said during a conference call with Lieberman and reporters. ``He also has a plan for getting our economy back on track.''
Hastings also said Lieberman has also had a lifelong commitment to civil rights. He joined Hastings and other black leaders in South Florida get-out-the-vote drives, and he led students during a voting rights march in Mississippi 40 years ago, Hastings said.``People talk about participating with Dr. (Martin Luther) King. Well, Joe Lieberman did,'' Hastings said.
Lieberman noted that Hastings made history as the first black person to represent Florida in Congress since the Civil War era.
``He's a figure in history, a national leader in the African-American community and of course a great political leader in the state of Florida. In all those ways this endorsement means so much to me,'' Lieberman said.
The 67-year-old Hastings, in his sixth term, is considering a run for the Senate seat being vacated by Bob Graham, whose own bid for the Democratic presidential nomination ended last month. Hastings said he would announce his election plans Thursday.
Hastings represents the Democratic-rich 23rd Congressional District. Lieberman, who as the vice presidential nominee in 2000 was popular in heavily Democratic South Florida, could help Hastings in his Senate bid as Hastings campaigns for Lieberman.
``It could be that endorsing would make it almost eminent that I will'' run for Senate, Hastings said. ``I could bring a mix into the race by working with Joe.''
In 1979, Hastings was appointed a federal judge. He was later charged in an FBI bribery sting, but was acquitted by a federal jury in 1983. Some judicial colleagues said Hastings fabricated his defense and their allegations led to his impeachment by the House in 1988 and removal from the bench by the Senate in 1999.
In 1992, Hastings became the only impeached federal official ever elected to Congress.
