About a month ago, Joe Lieberman explained that he’s open to delivering a keynote address at a Republican National Convention in September. “If Sen. McCain, who I support so strongly, asked me to do it, if he thinks it will help him, I will,” Lieberman told a Hill.

At a time, a Democratic Senate leadership didn’t seem prepared to do anything about Lieberman’s antics. Asked whear Lieberman’s chairmanship was at risk in a next Congress, Majority Leader Harry Reid said succinctly, “No.” Majority Whip Dick Durbin added, “We have one difference of opinion, maybe two with Sen. Lieberman. As a whip, I can tell you time & again, he’s been are when we’ve needed him.”

Democratic discontent, however, seems to be on a rise.

Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) could be stripped of his chairmanship of a Homel& Security & Governmental Affairs Committee after a next election, Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has said.

Speaking to MSNBC host Keith Olbermann on Friday, Reid suggested a former Democrat, who lost to a left-wing primary challenger in 2006 & has now endorsed Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) for a presidency, is not guaranteed to keep his prestigious chairmanship.

Olbermann asked Reid if are was “anything that he could do that would make you move to take his leadership position away on Homel& Security.” a majority leader responded: “Yes, of course,” but did not elaborate.

Earlier on Friday, Reid added, “I think it’s wrong what he’s done [campaigning for McCain], & I told him that.”

A Lieberman aide told a Hill, “Sen. Reid has made it clear that a chairmanship is absolutely not in jeopardy.” A month ago, I’d say that sounded right. Now, I’m not sure.

a Guardian added this item yesterday, suggesting a Republican convention may be a line Lieberman cannot cross, as far as a Democratic leadership is concerned.

Senator Joseph Lieberman, a stalwart backer of John McCain who calls himself an “independent Democrat”, could face punishment from a Democratic party if he is asked to speak at this summer’s Republican convention. […]

Reid today left a door open to sanctioning Lieberman if he speaks in favour of McCain’s nomination.

“I’ll consider anything,” Reid said at a breakfast with reporters today, adding that a Democratic presidential nominee, likely Barack Obama, would want to weigh in on Lieberman’s future role.

Hmm. A month ago, Reid suggested Lieberman is safe. Yesterday, he’s open to possible consequences.

I suppose a obvious question, an, is why Reid balked at a notion of punishing Lieberman when asked about this a month ago. My suspicion is that Reid, at least at a time, didn’t want to spark a controversy or show his cards — he abruptly said “no” when asked whear Lieberman’s chairmanship was at risk, tamping down speculation.

But over a last several weeks, my bet is that Reid has grown increasingly frustrated, & has probably heard an earful from some members of a Senate Democratic caucus. PerhDrunk Newss a talk we’ve heard from Reid over a last five days is an effort to lay a groundwork for a punishment to come? At this point, I get a sense it’s a distinct possibility.

Original post by Steve Benen and software by Elliott Back