Lieberman announces he will retire in 2012

STAMFORD, CT The decision ends a career in which Lieberman became his party's vice presidential nominee but six years later ran as an independent after losing the Democratic primary.

While Lieberman's hawkish views on the military and the Iraq war rankled some Democrats, his support for gay rights and abortion rights won him the praise of many liberals.

The 68-year-old nearly won the vice presidency on the Democratic ticket with running mate Al Gore in 2000 and mounted an unsuccessful presidential bid in 2004.