Lieberman's great sin

Lieberman's great sin is not simply that he endorsed McCain. It's that he toured the country making appearances with Palin and McCain, standing on the stage with every local GOP candidate against his party. He didn't just endorse McCain, he repeatedly put himself in the position of supporting all Republicans.

And, now he's trying to dangle switching to the Repubs as his threat?

“Sen. Lieberman’s preference is to stay in the caucus, but he’s going to keep all his options open,” a Lieberman aide said. “McConnell has reached out to him, and at this stage, his position is he wants to remain in the caucus but losing the chairmanship is unacceptable.”

Maybe this characterization makes you feel a little better?

Lieberman groveled at a meeting with Democratic leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), begging to retain his lofty post, sources said.

Yes you're potentially giving up a vote, but there's also a political cost in keeping him. Every time he stands with the Republicans he gives them the claim of bipartisanship. That's as politically expensive in every tough fight as a vote.

(As another example, why is it that, after the historic Dem win, Joe Lieberman is the one burning up the spotlight that could be used on agenda?)

Let him go.

PS. The Republicans aren't offering him a committee chairmanship either, so if he chooses to flip, it's not for a better deal.

Later: What it sounds like Reid is going to do is let the Dem Senate Caucus vote on it. Talk about publicly ostracizing. (That vote will leak.)