Senator Joseph Lieberman emerged from the Democratic caucus intact today, managing to hold onto his chairmanship of the Homeland Security Committee. From MSNBC:

Sen. Joe Lieberman will keep his chairmanship of the Senate Homeland Security Committee despite hard feelings over his support for GOP nominee John McCain during the presidential campaign.

The Connecticut independent will lose a minor panel post as punishment for criticizing Obama this fall.

Lieberman’s colleagues in the Democratic caucus voted 42-13 Tuesday to approve a resolution condemning statements made by Lieberman during the campaign but allowing him to keep the Homeland Security Committee gavel. He will leave the Environment and Public Works panel, however.

The deal was apparently brokered by Chris Dodd and Ken Salazar, as we had mentioned in an earlier post. Not everyone was in a forgiving mood however.

On the other side were senators who feel that one requirement to be installed in a leadership position is party loyalty.

Some, like Iowan Tom Harkin, still harbor hard feelings for statements Lieberman made during the campaign. Harkin took particular offense when Lieberman said a vote against funding the war in Iraq without a deadline for a troop withdrawal meant Obama had voted to cut off funding for troops in harm’s way.

“That’s outrageous what he said,” Harkin said.

Joe lives on in the Democratic caucus, and I am sure that some people will be outraged. I find it hard not to be outraged myself, but that is politics for you!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22425001/vp/27787227#27787227