http://www.courant.com/news/politics/hc-li...

Would Party Forgive Joe?

Lieberman Says Democrats Can Count On Him If He Wins; Vice Versa Is Iffy

By DAVID LIGHTMAN
Washington Bureau Chief

August 18 2006

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman says he'll stick with the Democrats if he wins his third-party re-election bid - but will the Democrats stick with him?Lieberman says yes, but others in Washington aren't so sure that a senator who defies party primary voters and relies on Republicans to keep his seat will be welcomed back into the fold.

Advisers to some Senate Democrats are saying privately that Lieberman, who lost his party's primary last week to anti-war candidate Ned Lamont, may not have enough support among colleagues to keep his seniority and status. Lieberman dismisses such talk, saying he was given reassurance this week by Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.

"Sen. Reid left no doubt in my mind that I would retain my seniority and committee assignments within the Senate Democratic Caucus should I be re-elected," Lieberman said Thursday, "and that has been confirmed to me by several other members of the Democratic caucus."
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This is really going to get ugly. I doubt you will hear anything definitive until the election results are in. If Lieberman wins, and the odds a pretty good at the moment, Reis may still need Lieberman's support depending on the Senate makeup. Read the article for the analysis of why it's potentially a bad idea to make an enemy of Lieberman.