Lieberman ‘enthusiastically’ welcomes Specter

Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), who knows a thing or two about party drama, is rolling out the welcome mat for Arlen Specter.

“I enthusiastically welcome my good friend Arlen Specter into the Democratic caucus,” Lieberman said in a statement. “It will be very good to have the company of yet another independent minded Democrat in the caucus!”

After losing the 2006 Democratic primary for his Senate seat, Lieberman ran and won as an independent. He caucuses with the Democrats.

Lieberman said Specter will be a positive force for bipartisanship.

“I have always admired Arlen as a man of deep principle who has been a bridge builder to get things done in the Senate,” Lieberman continued. “Arlen understands that we get things accomplished when we listen to the vital center of American politics. I know that Arlen will continue to make a major contribution to the Senate and the nation as an effective independent leader and problem solver.”