As America's 2004 presidential election approached, many pundits speculated about the likeliest Democratic candidates.

Joe Lieberman looked certain to throw his hat into the ring. Already a veteran of one presidential campaign, he was also the standard-bearer of the party's pro-business wing.

And as for his stand on the War on Terror? "This is a man," the Economist explained, "who is so sound on national defence that his Senate office telephone system plays military marches to callers on hold."