Can the Democrats Forgive Joe Lieberman?

Working with the White House and President Obama but still at odds with Democrats, Senator Joe Lieberman tries to overcome the past

Antonin Kratochvil / VII for TIME

Lieberman's work for Obama has taken place mostly behind the scenes.

Late last year, the White House swallowed its pride and quietly asked Joe Lieberman for a favor. Obama was getting ready to deliver on his campaign promise to repeal the 1993 law barring openly gay members from serving in the military when aides asked the man who turned his back on the Democratic Party to take the lead on pushing for the new policy. In reply, Lieberman told Obamas chief of staff Rahm Emanuel, "Let us know what you want us to do." Emanuel replied with a laundry list: work up polling on the issue; start sounding out moderate Democrats and...

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