Joe Lieberman supports John McCain, and causes friction

But the welcome mat may not be out for long.

If Democrats expand their Senate majority in November, the Connecticut senator could find himself in a political no man's land. But at least until then, he holds a coveted committee chairmanship and has attracted no hint of retribution. After all, Lieberman, an independent who caucuses with the Democrats, is crucial to their maintaining their tenuous 51-49 Senate majority.

"If it weren't for Joe Lieberman, we'd be in the minority," said Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa).

Lieberman acknowledged in an interview that his support for McCain has created friction with Democrats.

"Sure, it's somewhat awkward," he said. "What I did was unconventional. I understand that. I'm a Democrat -- an independent Democrat, but still a registered Democrat -- supporting a Republican."

In fact, he's become a key Republican Party asset.

Lieberman was in that role Wednesday, defending McCain against Democratic charges that he undervalued the importance of bringing U.S. troops home. And Lieberman took a swipe at Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama for being "consistently wrong" on Iraq.

Lieberman is heading up a new group to woo Democrats and independents to McCain. He's even offered to speak at the GOP convention.

"It hurts," Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) said of Lieberman's support of McCain. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) added, "Clearly, we wish he was with Sen. Obama."

Obama last week took Lieberman to a corner of the Senate chamber to talk on the same day that Lieberman joined Republicans in criticizing the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee's foreign policy positions.

In the interview, Lieberman said he was backing McCain because they agree "almost totally" on national security issues such as the war in Iraq, and he sees the Arizona senator as more able to work across party lines to get things done.

But Lieberman also said the Democratic Party had changed since he was Al Gore's running mate in 2000, becoming more partisan and left-leaning. Still, he said he had no interest in becoming a Republican.