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Now Joe Owes Barack One

By Harry Kimball, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 19, 2008 11:45 AM CST

(Newser) – Democrats everywhere, even in the Senate, are still furious with Joe Lieberman for campaigning against Barack Obama. So pushing to allow him to stay in the Democratic caucus, and continue as chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, was a savvy political move on Obama's part, Time reports: Lieberman will owe the new president big time, and there'll be plenty of opportunities for Obama to collect.

Obama’s sweeping policy agenda will likely run into strong opposition from the Republican minority in the Senate, and Lieberman's support in those battles could be crucial. While Obama is busy trying to keep the liberal wing of his party in the tent, Lieberman can help with moderates in the Gang of 14, the bipartisan group that came together in 2005. “He will remember and help those who helped him at a critical time in the future,” one analyst says.

[Images (4)]

[Quotes (1)]

Sen. Joe Lieberman. (AP Photo)

Lieberman at a McCain rally. (AP Photo)

Lieberman and Sarah Palin. (AP Photo)

Lieberman after the meeting yesterday. (Getty Images)

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I would defy anyone to be more angry than I was. But I also believe that if you look at the problems we face as a nation, is this a time we walk out of here saying, "Boy, did we get even"? - Senate majority leader Harry Reid

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