--Hartford Mayor Pedro E. Segarra
"It's amazing how quickly he's moved into the realm of irrelevancy. Yeah, he'll be a thorn on the side of Senate Dems for the next year and a half, and yes, he'll be obnoxious on Fox News after his term is up. But I just don't care anymore."
--Markos Moulitsas, the Daily Kos
"Senator Lieberman's career in public service is one for this history books. As a state legislator, Attorney General, and U.S. Senator, Joe has done so much for our state. While there have been times that I and other Democrats have disagreed with Senator Lieberman, I know that he followed his heart in everything he did. I congratulate him on his retirement from public service."
--U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy
"His 40-year body of work is replete with Democratic successes, the most recent of which was his leadership on the repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell." As Democratic Party Chairwoman, I wish him the best in his future endeavors, and as a lifelong Democratic activist, I thank him for all that he has done for our state and our country."
--State Democratic Party Chairwoman Nancy DiNardo
"Sen. Lieberman was a proud liberal and he supported many policies that Republicans strongly oppose - cap and trade, Obamacare and tax policy. But you always knew where Sen. Lieberman stood and he tried to be bipartisan in the process."
--State Republican Party Chairman Chris Healy
"This is a great loss for the state and the nation, not only in service and experience, but in terms of tone, temperament and humor. Senator Lieberman has always kept the best interests of Americans in his mind and in his heart. Coming on the heels of the retirement of Senator Chris Dodd, today's announcement will leave a huge experience gap in both Connecticut and the U.S. Senate."
--U.S. Rep. John Larson
"Joe Lieberman took millions from insurance companies, Wall Street banks, and other corporate interests - and then did their dirty work in Congress, including killing the public option. As a result, Lieberman's poll numbers were disastrous in Connecticut. His decision to quit in the face of assured defeat is a huge victory for the progressive movement and all Americans who want Democrats to put regular families ahead of corporate interests."
--Keauna Gregory, Progressive Change Campaign Committee
"I wish Senator Joe Lieberman and his family all the best. Although we disagreed on certain issues, I have deep respect for his decades of public service."
--Former Secretary of the State and candidate for U.S. Senate Susan Bysiewicz
"Of all the horrible things Joe Lieberman has done in his hideous career, depriving everyone of the joy at seeing him lose is near the top"
--Glenn Greenwald of Salon (via Twitter)
"When you've worked in politics for as long as Joe and I have, you very rarely come across the kind of person who is never afraid to tell you where he stands - no matter the polling or the popularity of the issue at hand. I have never had to wonder where Joe stands or in what he believes. His body of work across his time in public service is to be commended, and in his retirement, Connecticut is losing an effective voice on its behalf."
--Gov. Dannel P. Malloy
"For 22 years, Joe Lieberman has been an independent voice for the people of Connecticut and has served in the Senate with distinction. Democrats will win this seat next November. Connecticut is one of the few states in the country that withstood fierce Republican headwinds last cycle. With President Obama at the top of the ticket and a galvanized Democratic electorate, this seat will stay Democratic in 2012."
--Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chairwoman Sen. Patty Murray