Fun and Games in the Senate

GOP Foils Dems' Bid to Repudiate Bush
Feb 18, 3:10 AM (ET)
By DAVID ESPO

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Senate gridlocked on the Iraq war in a sharply worded showdown Saturday as Republicans foiled a Democratic bid to repudiate President Bush's deployment of 21,500 additional combat troops.

The 56-34 vote fell four short of the 60 needed to advance a nonbinding measure identical to one the House passed Friday. Seven GOP senators broke ranks, compared with only two during an earlier test on the issue.

Democrats swiftly claimed victory. "A majority of the United States Senate is against the escalation in Iraq," said Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada. "As for the Republicans who chose once again to block further debate and protect President Bush, the American people now know they support the escalation" in troops.

Republicans blasted the Democratic leadership for refusing to allow a vote on an alternative that ruled out any reduction in money for troops in the field. [You know; what the goose-steppers would have done had the position was reversed because they're, you know, people of principal.]

Link.

Again, question is how the electorate will see this maneuvering. The voters voted on their resolution. They really don't like what's going on in Iraq and want things wound done, not escalated for any reason. So question is whether this GOP bullshit is perceived as more of what the voters repudiated or does more damage to the Dems. But Reid's playing it right: The Dem majority agrees with the voters.

(Photo source.)