WASHINGTON (AP) - He says he'll stay out of it, but President-elect Obama says he'd be happy to have Senator Joe Lieberman continue to caucus with Democrats.

The Connecticut Democrat-turned-independent has been heavily criticized for his outspoken support for the Republican ticket of John McCain and Sarah Palin.

Lieberman has already met with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid amid calls to remove Lieberman as chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has also been in contact with Lieberman about joining the GOP caucus.

Lieberman said last week he's willing to put partisan politics aside and work with Obama. But an Obama spokeswoman says the president-elect isn't going to "referee decisions about who should or should not be a committee chair."


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