U.S. & World

WASHINGTON (CBS) ― Sen. Joe Lieberman will keep his chairmanship of the Senate Homeland Security Committee despite hard feelings over his support for GOP nominee John McCain during the presidential campaign.

The Connecticut independent will lose a minor panel post as punishment for criticizing then-candidate Barack Obama this fall.

Lieberman's colleagues in the Democratic caucus voted 42-13 Tuesday on a resolution condemning statements made by Lieberman during the campaign but allowing him to keep the Homeland Security Committee gavel but lose a subcommittee chair on the Environment and Public Works panel.

Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said he was very angry by Lieberman's actions but that "we're looking forward, we're not looking back."

Added Reid: "Is this a time when we walk out of here and say, 'Boy, did we get even?"' said Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.

"This is the beginning of a new chapter, and I know that my colleagues in the Senate Democratic Caucus were moved not only by the kind words that Senator Reid said about my longtime record, but by the appeal from President-elect Obama himself that the nation now unite to confront our very serious problems," Lieberman said after the vote.

"There are some (statements) that I made that I wish I had not," Lieberman told reporters. "In the heat of campaigns, that happens to all of us, but I regret that. And now it's time to move on."

The Connecticut senator lost the Democratic nomination for his re-election bid two years ago over his vocal support for the war in Iraq but won in the fall as an independent.

Lieberman has stayed on the Democratic side of the aisle in the Senate but generated lots of hard feelings among Democrats for his active support of McCain this year - and his criticism of Mr. Obama. The president-elect signaled to Democratic leaders that he's not interested in punishing Lieberman.

"This vote will anger many progressives and party faithful who felt Lieberman's support of the Republican nominee was tantamount to party treason," said CBSNews.com senior political editor Vaughn Ververs. "But while it may have been tempting to punish him for his transgression, it's also a nod to reality."

"The Connecticut senator has remained a reliable Democratic vote on most issues outside of some national security matters since becoming an independent and is still one that the party will need to pass some major legislation in the coming four years. President-elect Obama's support for him keeping his chairmanship was reflective of that."

Anger toward Lieberman seems to have softened since Election Day and there's strengthening sentiment that taking away his Homeland Security chairmanship would drive him from the Democratic caucus and send the wrong signals as Mr. Obama takes office on a pledge to unite the country. Lieberman has indicated it would be unacceptable for him to lose his chairmanship.

Lieberman, who was Democratic presidential nominee Al Gore's running mate in 2000, 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.

"I feel very good. I'm going into a roomful of friends," Lieberman said as he entered the closed-door meeting a few hours ago. "I'm looking forward to a good discussion."

Mr. Obama has reportedly told Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada it would hurt the message of unity that he wants for his new administration if Lieberman leaves the Democratic caucus. Reid met with Lieberman last week and was initially inclined to strip him of the Homeland Security Committee chairmanship, according to a Senate Democratic aide.

"I was concerned and was upset about what happened earlier this year," Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., said on "Fox News Sunday." "But you know what? We turn the page."

"It's time to unite our country," said Lieberman supporter Ken Salazar, D-Colo..

On the other side are senators who feel that one of the requirements to be installed in a leadership position is party loyalty.

Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Pat Leahy, D-Vt., and Senator-elect Jeff Merkeley, D-Ore., spoke against allowing Lieberman keep the Homeland Security and Government Affairs post. Reid, Majority Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and John Kerry, D-Mass., were among those speaking in his favor, according to a Democratic aide requiring anonymity to discuss a private meeting.

Some, like Iowan Tom Harkin, still harbor hard feelings for statements Lieberman made during the campaign. Harkin took particular offense when Lieberman said a vote against funding the war in Iraq without a deadline for a troop withdrawal meant Mr. Obama had voted to cut off funding for troops in harm's way.

"That's outrageous what he said," Harkin said.

"To reward Senator Lieberman with a major committee chairmanship would be a slap in the face of millions of Americans who worked tirelessly for Barack Obama and who want to see real change in our country," Sanders said in a statement on Friday. "Appointing someone to a major post who led the opposition to everything we are fighting for is not 'change we can believe in.'"

(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)