When Al Gore picked Joe Lieberman, it was a clear declaration of independence from President Clinton; no Democrat had been more critical of Clinton's misconduct.

In this quote, Jeff Greenfield suggests that when Al Gore chose Joe Lieberman as his running mate in the 2000 U.S. presidential election, it was a significant political move, marking a declaration of independence from President Clinton. Greenfield points out that Lieberman had been one of the most critical Democrats of Clinton's behavior during the Monica Lewinsky scandal and the subsequent impeachment proceedings. By selecting Lieberman, Gore was signaling that his campaign was distancing itself from Clinton's controversial presidency and its ethical challenges.

The origin of this statement comes from Greenfield’s analysis of the political dynamics during the 2000 election. At the time, Bill Clinton's presidency had been marred by the scandal involving his affair with Monica Lewinsky and the impeachment process that followed. Lieberman, who had publicly criticized Clinton’s actions, represented a more moral and ethical stance within the Democratic Party. Gore’s decision to pick Lieberman, a Senator from Connecticut, was seen as an attempt to reassure voters that the Democratic ticket was moving beyond the scandals of the Clinton administration.

Greenfield’s use of the phrase "declaration of independence" emphasizes how the choice of Lieberman was a deliberate break from the past. By selecting a running mate who had openly criticized Clinton, Gore sought to signal that his campaign would uphold a higher standard of integrity and focus on the issues, rather than be defined by Clinton's personal missteps. This decision was also seen as a way to appeal to a broader electorate, especially those who were disillusioned by the Clinton-era scandals.

Ultimately, Greenfield’s quote underscores the political significance of Gore’s choice and how it reflected a strategic effort to distance the Democratic ticket from Clinton’s controversial legacy. The independence of Lieberman from Clinton's misdeeds became a defining feature of the 2000 election, with Gore attempting to present himself as a candidate who would bring a new direction to the Democratic Party, free from the scandals of the past.