By Catharine Richert, CQ Staff

Despite campaigning for the Republican presidential candidate, Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman has “significant support” within the Senate Democratic Caucus, ally Ken Salazar said Monday.

“I think he will be a force of good in supporting an Obama administration,” said Salazar, D-Colo. He is part of a four-member whip team tasked with talking to other members of the caucus to find out what, if any, punishment Lieberman deserves for supporting Sen. John McCain , R-Ariz., and campaigning against President-elect Barack Obama .

Lieberman, I-Conn., was a Democrat until 2006, when he won re-election as an independent after losing his party’s primary. For the past two years, Lieberman has caucused with the Democrats, effectively giving them their slim 51-49 Senate majority. He also has voted with them about 80 percent of the time, parting ways primarily on Iraq War policy.

Members remember that loyalty, Salazar said, adding that Obama’s victory has put the caucus in a celebratory mood.

“I don’t see ousting Joe Lieberman  . . .  will create that kind of unity,” he said.

Salazar does not support stripping Lieberman of his chairmanship of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, though a number of other senators, such as Patrick J. Leahy , D-Vt., chairman of the Judiciary Committee, have called for his ouster.

Obama has told Senate leaders he does not want to drive Lieberman from the Democratic caucus.

The caucus is scheduled to vote Tuesday on Lieberman’s fate, but it’s unclear what exactly members will be voting on.

Salazar would not say what he recommended to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid , D-Nev., who will likely frame the vote. But he said there “will be some changes,” which could include taking away Lieberman’s other committee spots. Currently, he sits on Armed Services, Environment and Public Works, and the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committees.

“It’s being fleshed out,” Salazar said.

Indeed, many senators say they have been largely in the dark about Reid’s intentions.

“No one seems to know,” what the vote will be about, said Sen. Daniel K. Akaka , D-Hawaii., who is in line to take Lieberman’s chairmanship of the Homeland Security panel if the caucus takes it away from Lieberman.

“Most members of the caucus were very disappointed with the extent of Sen. Lieberman’s role,” said Debbie Stabenow , D-Mich., referring to the Connecticut senator’s vigorous support for McCain. Lieberman not only delivered a prime time speech at the Republican National Convention but also criss-crossed the country at McCain’s side during the closing weeks of the presidential contest. Stabenow, who chairs the Democratic Steering Committee, has been discussing options with Reid.