Lieberman's split with Dems a GOP senator?

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 (UPI) -- A potential John McCain administration could mean an additional Republican in the U.S. Senate, courtesy of Sen. Joe Lieberman, Ind-Conn., observers speculated.

A bump in the polls for GOP standard-bearer McCain and Lieberman's speech at the Republican National Convention has fueled speculation that if McCain wins the White House he could appoint Lieberman to a Cabinet post, The Hill reported.

If Lieberman were to resign his Senate seat, his successor would be appointed by Connecticut Gov. Jodi Rell, a Republican, bringing to an end an increasingly vitriolic relationship between Democrats and the Connecticut senator, The Hill said.

Ned Lamont, who defeated Lieberman in the Democratic primary in 2006 but lost in the general election when Lieberman ran as an Independent, wasn't impressed by the scenario.

"It sounds like a lateral move, politically," Lamont said.

Lieberman's office told The Hill it doesn't respond to hypothetical situations.