Did Lieberman Staffers Approve Of McCain Nod?

We all know there’s been a little, well, friction between Sen. Joe Lieberman and the Democratic Party since the Connecticut senator became an independent in 2006.

But has Lieberman’s endorsement of Sen. John McCain, (R-Ariz.) caused even more tension inside his Senate office?

Some Lieberman staffers were apparently a little miffed back in December when they learned-- by word of mouth --that their boss was supporting McCain’s White House bid. And their unhappiness has grown in recent weeks as Lieberman has campaigned for McCain and continues to step away from the Democratic Party. 

In an interview on Friday, Lieberman said he does not know about any unhappiness among staffers but said, “I don’t play political loyalties with my staff.” 

Before making the McCain endorsement, the Connecticut senator said he “talked to my key staff people and met with the committee staff” but “not the entire staff.”

“The staff that’s been here has gone through all of this with me and they’ve heard me say from the beginning of the presidential campaign [that] I am going to wait till both parties choose their nominees and then I’d decide,” Lieberman said. “So that was in the air.”

Still, Lieberman added, “The timing may have been a surprise.”

The senator said he chose to make an early endorsement before the nominees were chosen because McCain called him in late November and “thought it would be helpful.”
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