By: John Bresnahan

Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) offered a qualified apology — and accepted the lightest of wrist slaps — in exchange for a deal that keeps him firmly in the Senate Democratic fold.  

Democrats, meeting in the Capitol this morning, voted secretly to allow Lieberman to keep his chairmanship of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee — despite his support for John McCain and criticism of Barack Obama during the presidential race.

Lieberman’s punishment for what many Democrats saw as an unacceptable betrayal: He  will lose his seat on the Environment and Public Works Committee, where he has been an outspoken critic of Bush administration global warming policies.

"It’s a resolution of reconciliation and not retribution…I appreciate it," Lieberman told reporters after the two-and-half meeting in the Old Senate Chamber.

Lieberman gave a nod to President-Elect Barack Obama who had reportedly urged a mild rebuke that would keep the former Democratic nominee from defecting to the GOP caucus.

But he saved his warmest thanks for Sens. Christopher Dodd (D-Conn.), Thomas Carper (D-Del.) and Ken Salazar (D-Colo.), who introduced today’s compromise resolution.

The vote on Lieberman’s fate came in a closed-door session in which Lieberman, members of the Democratic Senate leadership and some current and soon-to-be-senators all spoke.

Sources who were inside the meeting said Lieberman did not apologize for supporting McCain during the campaign, but that he did say he was sorry for some of the statements he made about Obama.

Lieberman also retained his chairmanship of the Armed Services Committee Airland subcommittee.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), who pushed for tougher punishment prior to Obama’s intervention, bristled when reporters asked if he had let Lieberman off lightly.

"Is this the time to walk out of here and say, ‘Boy, did we get even,’?" he asked. "No one was more angry than me…[But] I feel good about what we did today."

Reid said keeping Lieberman happy would help Democrats fend off the GOP if they attempted to filibuster Obama’s legislative initiatives. Democrats enjoy a 57-40 edge in the upper chamber with three races still undecided.

"There is a time in Joe Lieberman’s career I will never understand or approve," he added. "The question is, ‘Do I trust Sen. Lieberman?’ The answer is "Yes, I trust Sen. Lieberman.’"

Glenn Thrush and Patrick O’Connor contributed to this report.

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