Parties meet to decide Lieberman’s, Stevens’s fate

Facing uncertain futures, Sens. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) and Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) headed into their party’s respective conferences Tuesday morning with smiles and confidence, even as an expulsion threat against Stevens was eliminated.

Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) issued a statement minutes after the start of the 9:30 a.m. Senate Republican Conference meeting that he will postpone his motion to expel Stevens — convicted last month of seven felony counts of concealing gifts and services on his financial disclosure forms — from Senate Republican ranks.

{mosads}DeMint said “it’s clear there are sufficient votes to pass the resolution,” but that some senators believe it should be addressed after Stevens’s reelection race is finalized in Alaska. Stevens is currently losing by more than 1,000 votes to Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich (D).

“For this reason, I will ask the conference to postpone the vote on Sen. Stevens until Thursday,” DeMint said in his statement.

Minutes earlier, Lieberman told reporters he was confident as he entered the Democratic Caucus. Lieberman faces the possible loss of his Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee chairmanship for his support for Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) and his criticism of Democratic President-elect Barack Obama.

“I’m looking forward to a good discussion,” Lieberman said before warmly greeting Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), another of McCain’s top Senate allies. “We’re just going to have a good discussion, but of course I’ve got to make it to them first … I feel very good. I’m going into a room full of friends.”

Lieberman didn’t answer when asked if he regretted endorsing McCain, or whether he believed he would retain his committee chairmanship.

Stevens struck much the same tone to reporters, telling them he would “do what I have to do” to make his case and stay in the GOP conference.

When asked if he believed enough senators would vote to expel him, Stevens said he had no idea. When asked what he planned to tell his colleagues, he simply answered, “The truth.”

Tuesday’s Democratic Caucus was attended by Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.), who offered cheerful comments to onlookers and reporters, and by Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.), who did not answer questions about rumors she may become secretary of state.