Monday - February 05, 2007

Hell Freezes Over: The Republicans Act Like, Well Republicans

Or Warner/Levin Sent to Limbo

Satan was sure that the Warner/Levin bill would proceed unobstructed through the Senate.  Satan based this assumption on the belief that the Republicans would abandon the sinking presidential ship of state like the rats they are.

Instead, the Republicans were able to rally 47 votes against moving this traitorous bill to the Senate floor for consideration.  To bring this bill to debate, the Democrats need to find another 11 votes.

With Democrats refusing to allow votes on two Republican-backed alternatives, leaders from both parties were locked in a showdown that would prevent the Senate from beginning consideration of the resolution, which has been in the works for weeks and declares Senate disagreement with the troop buildup.

The Democrats were refusing a demand by Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Republican leader, for votes on two alternatives — one that would set 11 conditions for the Iraqi government if it wanted to retain American support and a second declaring that Congress should not cut off any spending for the troops.

That second alternative, authored by Senator Judd Gregg, Republican of New Hampshire, was proving problematic for Democrats since it was likely to garner a substantial amount of support and potentially be the resolution capable of winning the 60 votes that Republicans say should be a threshold for passage.

“There is nothing the minority is asking for here that is extraordinary,” Mr. McConnell said.

Even George Voinovich of Ohio voted with his fellow Republicans on this.  That makes it especially cold down here.  Maybe Mitch McConnell can keep running interference on this embarrassing bill and the Democrats will be forced to give up on their call for national defeat.  If you want a good analysis of what happened tonight, see this article at the Captain's Quarters.

Trackposted to Outside the Beltway, Perri Nelson's Website, Mark My Words, The Random Yak, Big Dog's Weblog, basil's blog, DragonLady's World, Shadowscope, Conservative Cat, Conservative Thoughts, Pursuing Holiness, third world county, Faultline USA, The Crazy Rants of Samantha Burns, Pirate's Cove, Dumb Ox Daily News, High Desert Wanderer, Right Voices, and OTB Sports, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.