WASHINGTON—Sen. Joseph Lieberman said Monday his endorsement of Republican John McCain's presidential bid was not intended as payback for fellow Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd, a 2008 White House hopeful who supported Lieberman's rival during his 2006 fall re-election race.
"This honestly doesn't have anything to do with last year," Lieberman, I-Conn., said in a telephone conference call with reporters. "I think Chris and I are over that."
Lieberman said he made a "respectful decision" partly owing to wide differences with Dodd on issues like Iraq, Iran and terrorism.
"This is a decision made based on comparing John McCain to all the other candidates," he said.
A message seeking comment was left for Dodd's presidential campaign.
After losing the 2006 Democratic primary in Connecticut to political newcomer Ned Lamont largely because of his support for the Iraq war, Lieberman defied party leaders and ran as an independent in the general election to hang onto his seat.
The move rankled Democrats who questioned the senator's party loyalty. Top Democrats, including Lieberman's longtime friend Dodd, abandoned him after the primary defeat and backed Lamont.
Lieberman has said his feelings were hurt by Dodd, who campaigned for Lamont in the general election and filmed a campaign commercial with him. Since then, Lieberman and Dodd have said they are working to repair their ruptured relationship.
"I consider Chris Dodd to be my friend," Lieberman said. "We work together on a lot of matters here in Washington for Connecticut."
Lieberman said McCain, also a longtime friend, recently asked for his support in the presidential race, while Dodd and other Democrats did not. Lieberman said he had not spoken to Dodd before announcing his endorsement decision, but two of his aides informed Dodd staffers Sunday.
Meanwhile, Lieberman also said he had not thought much about which major party convention he planned to attend in 2008.
"I don't expect to go to the Republican convention, unless John is the nominee," he said. "I don't know. This may be a way not to have to go to either convention."
Connecticut Democratic Party chairwoman Nancy DiNardo said she was disappointed at the McCain endorsement, given what she sees as a strong Democratic field, particularly Dodd.
"We have such great candidates," she said.
Lieberman was Democrat Al Gore's running mate in 2000. He won re-election to the Senate in 2006 as an independent, but still caucuses with Senate Democrats.
Lieberman cautioned that his decision to endorse a Republican should not be interpreted as a step toward him jumping to the GOP.
"This was a decision about a person, not a party," he said. "I remain a Democrat ... I have no intention of leaving the Democratic Party."
Like McCain, Lieberman has been among the strongest Iraq war supporters in Congress. He and McCain traveled together to Iraq over the Thanksgiving holiday.
Lamont, in a statement Monday, voiced displeasure with Lieberman's decision to back McCain instead of a Democrat.
"With voters just weeks away from making their first decisions, Democrats are lucky to have many extraordinary candidates running for President," Lamont said. "I am disappointed that Sen. Lieberman does not feel the same way."
Lamont also pointedly recalled that Lieberman during their 2006 race had talked about wanting to elect a Democrat to the White House in 2008.
"During our debate last year, Sen. Lieberman intoned that he wanted to 'elect a Democratic President in 2008,' and that my election would 'frustrate and defeat our hope of doing that.' With his endorsement of John McCain today, it is now clear that Joe Lieberman is the one working to defeat our hopes."
