Lieberman Talks Chairmanship With Reid Over Phone

Sen. Joe Lieberman spoke with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) by phone this week, a Democratic aide said Friday, as the controversial Connecticut Independent fights to keep his chairmanship of a key committee.

Aides to the senators would not say what the two men discussed, but Lieberman spoke by phone with Reid just days after the two men held a private meeting in Reid’s office where a resolution could not be reached.

Lieberman’s fate will be put to the test Tuesday when Senate Democrats vote on whether to punish Lieberman for his outspoken criticism of Barack Obama and staunch advocacy of John McCain during the presidential campaign.

Momentum seems to be on Lieberman’s side to keep his chairmanship of the Homeland Security and Governmental Committee, since Democrats worry that taking his gavel away would jeopardize their ability to win his support on close votes. Instead, Lieberman faces the possible loss of seniority on other committees he sits on, or he may lose chairmanships of subcommittees he chairs.

–Manu Raju