The Connecticut Democrat explained that Annan "seems like a nice man from a distance," but he contended that "the U.N. needs really strong leadership at this point or the world public and certainly the American public will lose confidence."

The former vice presidential candidate said the U.N. "desperately needs reorganization and reform because the voices of anti-Americanism are just so prevalent there it makes it unreal."

Lieberman is the first prominent Democrat to suggest that it may be time for Annan step aside.

Editor's note: