New Haven Independent

U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman Tuesday welcomed the startling news that Republican Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania is switching parties and joining the majority.

It matters what Lieberman thinks.

If, as expected, the Democrats pick up a 58th seat in the Senate when the final count is completed in the Norm Coleman-Al Franken Minnesota race, then Lieberman becomes a crucial statistic.

He and another independent senator, Vermont’s Bernie Sanders, would give the Democrats 60 votes in the Senate if they continue voting with the caucus. That means the Democrats have the votes to stop a Senate filibuster — and more easily pass President Barack Obama’s health care plan. (Sanders, a socialist, isn’t considered a GOP defection threat.)

“I enthusiastically welcome my good friend Arlen Specter into the Democratic caucus. It will be very good to have the company of yet another independent minded Democrat in the caucus!” Lieberman stated in a press release.

Lieberman was a crucial statistic two years ago, too. He had won reelection as an independent after Democrats rejected him in a primary. But then the Democrats needed him in the caucus to squeak out a majority in the Senate for the 2007-8 term. He agreed to join the caucus in return for obtaining the chairmanship of the Homeland Security Committee.

Then, after the 2008 elections swept in a clear Democratic majority, the party no longer needed his vote. Liberals called for the party leadership to strip Lieberman of his chairmanship because he sometimes sides with Republicans on hot-button issues, like the Iraq war, and because he served as an anti-Obama attack dog on behalf of GOP candidate presidential John McCain. But after Barack Obama’s personal intervention, the party decided to make peace with Lieberman instead. He kept the chairmanship.

That decision might come in handy again now that his vote matters a lot again.

Lieberman spokesman Scott Overland was asked Tuesday afternoon if Lieberman is committed to voting to stop Republican filibusters, especially on health care.

“I can’t comment on specific votes. The senator is committed to caucusing with the Democrats and does consider himself to be a member, if Franken wins, of the 60-member caucus votes,” Overland responded.

“He’s going to evaluate every bill like always does on its merits, and is going to continue to vote the way he thinks is best for Connecticut. Certainly he is committed to being a good, active member of the Democratic caucus.”

To date Lieberman hasn’t “made any statements, anything official, on any health care bill,” Overland said.