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Lieberman rules out running with McCain

By ANDREW MIGA | Associated Press Writer

7:01 PM EST, January 29, 2008

WASHINGTON - Sen. Joe Lieberman, an independent who nearly won the vice presidency as a Democrat in 2000, says there's no way he'll be Republican Sen. John McCain's running mate should McCain become the party's presidential nominee.

"No, I'd tell him, 'Thanks, John, I've been there, I've done that. You can find much better,'" Lieberman told The Associated Press during an interview Tuesday in his Senate office. "I'm not seeking anything else."

The Connecticut senator said he was unequivocally ruling out sharing the GOP ticket with McCain.

Lieberman's endorsement of McCain in December and the campaigning he since has done in states such as New Hampshire, Michigan, South Carolina and Florida have stoked speculation that the Arizona senator might choose Lieberman as his running mate.

Lieberman planned to be back on the road for McCain as the Feb. 5 Super Tuesday contests near.

Lieberman's flirtations with Republicans worry Democrats. His defection to the GOP could tip the balance of power in the narrowly divided Senate away from Democrats, who need Lieberman's vote to maintain their fragile 51-49 Senate majority.

Lieberman, in his fourth term, said his decision to endorse a Republican should not be seen as a step toward him jumping to the GOP.

"I don't have any intention of leaving the Democratic Party," he said. "I want to be a senator."

But Lieberman did say that if McCain wins the nomination, he'd likely attend the Republican convention.

"I'd probably be more welcome there," he said.

Lieberman said he endorsed his longtime Senate colleague because of his leadership on national security issues and his bipartisan approach. Both men are strong supporters of the Iraq war.

Lieberman was Democrat Al Gore's running mate in 2000. In 2004, he mounted an unsuccessful bid for the Democratic presidential nomination.

After losing the 2006 Democratic Senate primary in Connecticut to Ned Lamont, Lieberman defied party leaders and ran as an independent in the general election to keep his seat.

Top Democrats abandoned him after the primary defeat and backed Lamont. Lieberman enjoyed support from the GOP, including praise from the White House and fundraising help from prominent Republicans such as New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.