Lieberman himself attributed the change to “a very unusual series of events in which I had different opportunities” involving “different times and different people and different relationships that I had,” including his close friendship with McCain.

The two senators were like brothers in a bond forged by more than 50 foreign trips together to hot spots such as Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya. A McCain victory in 2008 also would have changed Lieberman’s life once again in the same way as the vice presidential decision by Gore.

“I guarantee you if I was elected president, he would have been secretary of state,” McCain said of Lieberman in an interview with the Courant in his spacious Washington office. “I’ll bet you if a president nominated him to be the secretary of state, the vote would be 100 to 0.”

At the other end of the spectrum, hard-core liberals and some true-blue Democrats said they regretted voting for Lieberman in his earlier days and said they would never do so again.

Despite the public clashes with friends, Lieberman always rebounded.

Even though Lieberman supported McCain over Democrat Barack Obama in 2008, it was Obama who stepped in and said Lieberman should remain as the chairman of the Senate homeland security committee at a time when some Democrats were still angry. Although Lieberman was the first Senate Democrat to publicly scold then-President Bill Clinton in a memorable speech on the Senate floor during the Monica Lewinsky scandal in 1998, it was Clinton who traveled to Connecticut eight years later to rally support for Lieberman when he was on the ropes in the bitter primary.

Clinton told the crowd that day that Lieberman was his longtime friend, and “I love him.”

Colleagues mourn Lieberman

As word spread quickly Wednesday, colleagues mourned Lieberman.

“Joe Lieberman was my friend for over 50 years,” said U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn. “On world and national stages, he helped to define and frame an era of history. He was a fierce advocate, a man of deep conscience and conviction, and a courageous leader who sought to bridge gaps and bring people together. He was dedicated to family and faith, and he was a role model of public service. He never ceased listening to both friends and adversaries. He leaves an enduring legacy as a fighter for consumers, environmental values, civil rights, and other great causes of our time and he was tireless in working for Connecticut no matter how far or high he went. Cynthia and I are with his family in heart and prayer at this difficult time.”

U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., tweeted, “In an era of political carbon copies, Joe Lieberman was a singularity. One of one. He fought and won for what he believed was right and for the state he adored.”

Lamont, who is now serving as governor, said, “While the senator and I had our political differences, he was a man of integrity and conviction, so our debate about the Iraq War was serious. I believe we agreed to disagree from a position of principle. When the race was over, we stayed in touch as friends in the best traditions of American democracy. He will be missed.”

Former Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy said, “Joe and I shared Stamford roots, so we go way back. He spent much of his career fighting for people who didn’t, at the time, have a lot of politicians fighting for them. I knew him for a long time, liked him very much, and respected his civility and decency — even when we disagreed, which we sometimes did. The thing I’ll remember most about Joe was that he was a kind, down-to-earth person who never forgot where he came from, even when he made history as the first Jewish vice-presidential nominee of a major political party. Cathy and I send our deepest condolences to Hadassah, and the entire Lieberman family.”

Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz said, “Across decades — as a state senator, Connecticut attorney general, and U.S. senator — Joe Lieberman shaped policies that bettered the lives of residents in our state and across the nation. I greatly admired his dedication, and it was his book, 'The Power Broker,' which inspired me to write my own biography of Governor Ella Grasso. Joe was there to impact critical policies during some of the most pivotal moments in our recent history, whether casting the deciding vote to pass the Affordable Care Act, landmark legislation that has provided more than 21 million Americans access to quality, affordable health care, or introducing the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal Act of 2010. In a post 9/11 era, Joe led legislation that led to the creation of the Department of Homeland Security — an effort that is still keeping us safe today.”

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