Lieberman's Candidacy Receives Much Discussion

August 8, 2000

Source: The Denver Post

On August 8, 2000, The Denver Post reported that "Joseph Lieberman scores well with most Denver-area religious leaders and to Jews his vice-presidential candidacy is 'exciting' and 'historic...' "'This is a nice step for American diversity,' said Rabbi Sandy Cohen of Denver's Temple Micah in Park Hill. 'This is exciting. We've been waiting for this for years.' She found Al Gore's choice of Lieberman as a running mate 'surprising, given the renewed role of the religious right in politics. We may find out now how Americans feel about the statement that this country was founded on Judeo-Christian principles...'

"'A historic moment,' was the response of Rabbi Daniel Goldberger, retired rabbi of the Hebrew Educational Alliance in west Denver. He said he hopes that 'extremist elements, whether anti-Semitic or pro-Arab, won't make an issue of this.' A Muslim leader was hesitant to predict what a Jewish vice president might signal. 'My hope is that if Gore and Lieberman are elected they will be fair and even-handed' in the Middle East situation, said Mohammed Jodeh. The American president should be an 'honest broker and not tilt either way,' said Jodeh, former president of the Colorado Muslim Society. Lieberman 'is an excellent choice,' said the Rev. James Peters, pastor of New Hope Baptist Church, a predominantly black church in northeast Denver. 'Minorities will be excited about this and I look forward to his being the next vice president.' Asked about tension that sometimes appears between blacks and Jews, Peters, who is black, said, 'We have been in close collaboration. The differences we have are outweighed by the things we agree on.'"