Sen. Joe Lieberman

Sen. Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut said today while he has no immediate plans to become a Republican, he might change his mind if Democrats oppose funding the war in Iraq.

"I have no desire to change parties," Lieberman told the Politico. "If that ever happens, it is because I feel the majority of Democrats have gone in a direction that I don't feel comfortable with."

The Politico asked whether that hasn't already happened, as Democrats have focused their energies on passing a non-binding resolution condemning President Bush's plan to deploy an additional 21,500 troops to Iraq.

"We will see how that plays out in the coming months," he said, referring specifically to how the party handles war funding.

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Lieberman told the Politico, however, the upcoming showdown over new funding could make him a Republican.

"I hope we don't get to that point," he said. "That's about all I will say on it today. That would hurt."

Lieberman, a strong supporter of the war, ran successfully as an independent last year after losing the Democratic Party primary to anti-war candidate Ned Lamont. He continues, however, to caucus with the Democrats, giving the party a 51-49 majority.

The Political Insider reports if Lieberman were to caucus with the Republicans, the GOP would still not take full control of the Senate because of a little-known organizing resolution passed in January.

Vice President Dick Cheney would be able to break 50-50 ties, but the resolution gives Democrats control of the Senate and committee chairmanships until the beginning of the 111th Congress.

Courting Lieberman

Time magazine's upcoming issue, published tomorrow, will report Republicans are "courting" Lieberman, and the senator "has been indulging in some fairly immodest political footsie," according to Editor & Publisher.

Lieberman tells Time switching to the GOP and changing the balance of power in the Senate is a "remote possibility," but the magazine concludes: "Lieberman's GOP flirtation has its risks – and a time limit. ... The longer he waits to capitalize on his moment, the greater the danger that he'll be tagged as one of those politicians for whom having power is more important than using it."

Time said Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin claims his party still "counts on him as a friend" even though it is "a little painful and awkward."

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