From the Dems' weakly radio address today, delivered by John F'n Kerry:

Another 21,000 troops sent into Iraq, with no visible end or strategy, ignores the best advice from our own generals and isn't the best way to keep faith with the courage and commitment of our soldiers. This week in Congress, a majority of Republicans prevented the Senate from holding a full and open debate on the issue of Iraq. Why? Because this so-called surge, which is nothing more than the escalation of a misguided war, is a bad idea. If there was a straight up or down, yes or no vote this week on whether the United States should keep up an indefinite presence in Iraq, it would be voted down.

But on the first day the Senate turned to the Warner-Levin resolution, a procedural disagreement arose. The Republican leader, Mitch McConnell, said his entire caucus would vote against considering the Warner-Levin language unless the Democrats agreed to also consider other Republican alternatives — and to require 60 votes to approve any of them.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid refused both these conditions, so all but two Republicans voted against bringing Warner-Levin formally to the floor for debate (it takes 60 votes to ensure against a filibuster, and Reid could only muster 49). Through the rest of the week, negotiations between the two leaders continued, while individual senators took to the floor to present their individual views of the war and buildup.

Ya know, we should probably come up for a word for what happens when two opposing sides of an issue take turns arguing for their side in an open forum. Sounds like that's been happening a lot lately, but I don't know what to call it. More from Fred Barnes:

Republicans were, in fact, ready for the ballyhooed week of debate that would include votes on two resolutions. Democrats would get a vote on their anti-President Bush, antiwar resolution. McConnell insisted Republicans be given a vote on the resolution of their choice. That resolution, authored by Senator Judd Gregg of New Hampshire, promised to continue the funding of troops in Iraq.

Reid and Democrats panicked at the thought of having to vote for or against this measure, which didn't express an opinion on Bush's "surge" of 21,500 more troops in Iraq or on the war itself. Voting for the Gregg resolution would make it more difficult for Democrats to cut off funding later. They'd look like flip-floppers. But if they voted against it, they could be accused of not supporting the troops. So Reid refused to allow a vote on the Gregg resolution. McConnell responded by mounting a Republican filibuster Democrats couldn't overcome. And the Senate was prevented from proceeding with its planned week of debate on the Iraq war.

Posted by: Ragnar at 11:33 AM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
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1 Excellent post. I was argueing with lefties who was saying 'You've had control of both the House, and Senate, and gave Bush a Rubber Stamp for whatever he wanted' and this actually gives a good example of how nothing gets 'rubber stamped' without a huge majority. To many people don't know how the system works. American's need to pay attention to something besides 'Survivor'. More articles like this please? I can use them to beat up lefties I know                       USA, all the way!

Posted by: Michael Weaver at February 11, 2007 01:32 PM (2OHpj)

2 If the Democrats define full and open debate as we'll do it our way or not at all then...... yes they did.  It is a possibility since the Democrats define victory as retreat and surrender.

Posted by: Buzzy at February 11, 2007 02:15 PM (CXz7T)

3

Paybacks are he**.....

Posted by: civil behavior at February 11, 2007 08:45 PM (d0Z5T)

4 Don't put too much hope into Americans paying attention to anything
that isn't shiny any more Michael, because the average American I see
it nothing more than livestock.

Posted by: Improbulus Maximus at February 12, 2007 09:11 AM (eGb9y)

5 Y'all need to understand and soon that your precious Repubics and your loathsome Demorats don't represent anything other than a way to keep you distracted with all this my side their side BS (this site serves its master well). Wake up America! There are no sides except the ultra rich vs the rest of us.

Posted by: tbone at February 13, 2007 02:16 PM (HGqHt)

6 Weebone:


Ah yes, class warfare. Workers of the world unite!

Posted by: Jeff Bargholz at February 13, 2007 02:35 PM (Dt3sl)

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