The fallout from Sen. Joe Lieberman’s (I-Conn.) speech at the Republican National Convention continues back in Washington. Not only is there talk that the former Democratic vice presidential nominee might lose his chairmanship of the Homeland Security Committee, but now Lieberman has decided that he shouldnt be attending the weekly Democratic caucues or the biweekly chairman’s lunches used to formulate policy.
“It was not fair for me, since I’m not supporting Sen. Obama, to be there,” Lieberman told The Hill newspaper. “I think I’ll stay away for a while, with respect.”
Earlier reports had Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) excluding Lieberman, but Reid put out a statement denying that story. Here’s that press release:
Jim Manley, spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, made the following statement today regarding false reports that Senator Joe Lieberman is excluded from Democrats’ future weekly caucus lunches:
“While it is no secret that the Democratic caucus is disappointed in Senator Lieberman’s attacks on Senator Obama, the irresponsible report that Senator Lieberman has been excluded from caucus meetings is completely untrue. Senator Lieberman has chosen to not attend Democratic caucus lunches, and that is his choice.”
