Lieberman likely to keep chairmanship

WASHINGTON — Sen. Joe Lieberman appears increasingly likely to hold onto his prized chairmanship of the Senate Homeland Security Committee as he meets today with Democratic colleagues unhappy over his vocal support for GOP nominee John McCain during this year's presidential campaign.

Not long ago, Lieberman's hold on his chairmanship seemed to be slipping as Democrats sought to punish him for boosting McCain and criticizing President-elect Obama during the long campaign.

Now, according to several Democratic aides, it appears that Lieberman will receive a lesser sanction, such as losing a subcommittee chairmanship on the Environment and Public Works Committee.

Anger toward Lieberman seems to have softened since Election Day and there's strengthening sentiment that taking away his chairmanship might drive him from the Democratic caucus and send the wrong signals as Obama takes office on a pledge to unite the country.

Lieberman has signaled it would be unacceptable for him to lose his chairmanship.

Lieberman was re-elected in 2006 as an independent after losing his state's Democratic primary. He remains a registered Democrat and aligns with the party inside the Senate.