Lieberman keeps his post, thanks Nelson

Senate Democrats today decided not to oust Joe Lieberman from the caucus or his committee chairmanship despite campaigning against president-elect Barack Obama. Among those helping Lieberman retain his status: Florida Sen. Bill Nelson.

The Dems emerged from a closed door session to announce they voted against expelling the Connecticut Democrat: "He's part of this caucus,'' Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said.

Lieberman thanked Reid and singled out what he called "four great friends who led this effort to draft this resolution ...my senior senator from Connecticut, Chris Dodd, Senator Ken Salazar of Colorado, Senator Bill Nelson of Florida and Senator Tom Carper of Delaware."