Joe Lieberman does not deserve to stay as the Chair of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security. It is not because he endorsed John McCain for President. Obama has said himself that he likes having people around him whose views differ from his. However, the divisive rhetoric that Lieberman spat on the campaign trail for months is simply not acceptable. He said that it is a good question to ask whether or not Obama is a Marxist and a socialist. He also spoke at the Republican National Convention where he said Obama would be "dangerous" if elected. It is these statements that show a spirit of uncooperation and he should not hold that high of a position if he cannot cooperate with Obama.
Lieberman does tend to vote with the democrats and therefore should be offered to caucus with them. There he will not have to work as much with Obama, just vote with him. He has said many times that if he is booted from his position as Chair that he will leave the democratic caucus. If he makes this decision, so be it. If he does, his time in the Senate is limited. He will surely lost his home state in his next election because Connecticut leans heavily democratic. The democrats also shouldn't need his vote. It is very unlikely that the Democrats will win Georgia and get the 59 (+Lieberman) majority in the Senate. Even if they somehow do, Lieberman will vote against the democrats on many key issues including Iraq.
It does send a good message that Obama wanted Lieberman to stay, but it will not pay off for him in the end. Lieberman should have been removed by the Democrats because he will do much more harm than help by continuing to lead the Committee on Homeland Security.
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