There is a vote for Majority Leader. Those two will vote for Reid for Leader. That means the Dems get control of Senate chairmanships.
You don't base majority status on individual votes on various bills. It's a single vote: who do you elect to be Majority Leader. Republicans and Democrats and Independents can vote for anyone. Republicans usually vote for the Republican candidate for Leader and the same with the Dems.
See my post at 18....I'll bet Lieberman would go for Senate Majority leader if he was asked with the Vice president being the tie breaker. Now I understand he is a Dem at heart and Liberal...but to watch the fall out with the Dems would be Amazing...
We do have a Senator who is ailing from Leukemia so my strategy is somewhat in doubt, should he die. Lieberman might also be able to garner support from some of the newer Blue Dog Senators who will be emboldened to break and keep free of their would be Liberal leash holders!
Do they vote in party caucus for the leader of that party, or do they vote as a whole for the leader of the Senate they want?