There’s nothing quite like diving right in.

That’s what I’ll be doing in Denver, where I’ll be for the start of my new post as the Forward’s political correspondent, just in time for the week-long Barack Obama infomercial also known as the Democratic National Convention.

Along with Nathan Guttman, the paper’s Washington correspondent, I’ll be covering the convention’s Jewish story, delving into the intersection of faith and politics that’s suddenly become popular with Democratic leaders, exploring the high-profile roles given to Jewish leaders and attending various events in the Mile High City.

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Then it’s off to Minnesota for the Republican convention and coronation of John McCain as the GOP nominee. One hard to miss story there will be the speaking role of Democrat-turned-independent U.S. Senator Joseph Lieberman, the Democratic nominee for vice president eight years ago. And in case you’re wondering, we’re not related, though my family does now live in Connecticut.

While I’m new to the Jewish beat and the Forward, I’m not new to politics, election coverage or the candidates.

I bring nearly 16 years of experience covering politics to the job. I most recently served as Washington correspondent for The Harrisburg Patriot-News and Newhouse News Service with stories published in newspapers across the country, iincluding the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Newark Star-Ledger, New Orleans Times-Picayune and Seattle Times. I interviewed Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton each three times last spring as they battled for the Pennsylvania primary. In fact, I spent more of Passover with them than I did with my own family.

I’ve also interviewed McCain in the past, sat down with President Bush three times and have had the opportunity to cover high-profile Senate and congressional races.

I’ve been on the other side of the microphone or camera as well, being interviewed for programs on MSNBC, PBS, C-Span and even a French radio network.

My goal, especially as we revive the Campaign Confidential blog, is to have fun, be tough, fair and get past the campaign’s talking points. To do that, I need your help as well. Feedback, ideas and criticism is always welcome and encouraged. Drop me a line at lieberman@forward.com.

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