By GEOFF EARLE
June 6, 2008
WASHINGTON - An emboldened Barack Obama browbeat Sen. Joe Lieberman on the Senate floor after the self-proclaimed "Independent Democrat" slammed the candidate on behalf of Republican John McCain.
Flexing his new power as the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, Obama greeted Lieberman, a prominent McCain backer, on the Senate floor Wednesday - then promptly led him by the hand to a back corner to give him a talking-to.
"He had him pinned against the wall," said one Senate aide who saw the tete-a-tete.
Obama leaned in closely during an animated conversation that lasted several minutes.
At one point, Obama pointed up at reporters gathered in the press gallery to observe the scene.
But the conversation ended amicably enough, with the senators patting each other on the back, according to the newspaper Roll Call.
"It was a very friendly and cordial conversation that was absolutely nonconfrontational," said Marshall Wittman, a Lieberman spokesman.
