Senate Democrats are looking like they might spare U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman from losing a key committee chairmanship, although he surely deserves it.

It’s hardly worth recounting the entire list, but let’s just do the top two: First, Lieberman promised not to campaign against Barack Obama, but then did just that, showing that his word is totally worthless. Second, he’s a smarmy warmonger who was rejected by his state’s Democrats in favor of an anti-war challenger, but weaseled his way back into power by running as an independent, showing he’ll do just about anything to hold on to power.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has said Lieberman stands with the Democrats on most issues outside of the war, which is a little like saying your good friend Hannibal Lecter won’t kill you and eat your liver with same fava beans unless it happens to be Thanksgiving.

But Obama himself has said Lieberman shouldn’t be tossed from the Democratic caucus, where he’d surely fall into the waiting arms of his new Republican friends. And that If-Obama-Can-Forgive-Him-Why-Should-We-Hold-Grudges attitude seems to be prevailing. A compromise plan that would let Lieberman keep his caucus seat is in the works, and the secret-ballot vote happens today.

For our money, we’d like to see Lieberman punished, and punished big time, for doing everything he could to keep a fellow warmonger in the White House. Elections are supposed to have consequences, and if Lieberman gets away with this, what incentive will the next soulless, opportunistic, lying son-of-a-bitch have to keep party discipline?

Then again, we’re sure No Drama Obama and the Senate leadership are eyeing the still-real possibility of getting to 60 votes, a goal that requires Lieberman in the Democratic caucus. A sometimes-vote is better than a no vote, right? You’ve got to love the world’s most exclusive club.

We’ll let you know what happens.