Lieberman, Dems Heal Old Wounds

Independent sen. 'critical' to party despite departures
By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 18, 2009 7:45 AM CDT
Lieberman, Dems Heal Old Wounds
Sen. Joe Lieberman holds a field hearing Tuesday April 7, 2009 in Hartford, Conn. as chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.   (AP Photo/Douglas Healey)

The rift between Joe Lieberman and his former party, which stretched wide after the senator supported John McCain for president, is closing, the Hill reports. The Connecticut independent, who caucuses with the Democrats, has been "critical" to the party, the majority whip says—Lieberman has praised the president on national security and foreign policy, and worked closely with the White House on banning the release of detainee-abuse photos.

“We had problems with what happened in the last election, and we believe he was wrong and we told him he was wrong,” says a Democratic senator. But “we’ve moved on. He’s moved on. We’re all happy.” Says Lieberman: “I have never ceased to be a Democrat, although I have been at odds with the party.” But, he notes, he’ll “continue to selectively support Republicans.”
(More Joe Lieberman stories.)

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