I think this all night session is great, but what is it honestly going to accomplish?

[LostInAnomie]

None of the fucking repubs are going to change their vote. These speeches won't sway anyone, especially since none of the senators actually stay in the chamber. Getting the Repukes on the record won't do a thing since no one reads them.

It's great to hear the passionate speeches form a united Democratic Party, but what will it actually accomplish?

[saltpoint]

1. It's powerful because it forces McConnell and his stooges to publicly

support Bush's lie againt the public will.

It strengthens Reid's and Pelosi's negotiating power on the next withdrawal legislation.

It narrows the response time Republicans have to hide behind the "terra terra terra" rationale for war.

It invigorates those in the media with the brains and wherewithal to see it as a major historical turning point.

It potentially marks the end of Bush's presidency regarding policy impact.

It reminds voters who threw Republicans out of their Congressional seats in 06 that their impulse was right on.

And not least, it pisses Dick Cheney off.

[NJCher]

4. it's like a 24-hour promotional video

Showing the republicans for what they are--war mongerers. When the vast majority of Americans want out and the republicans are the only thing keeping us in, it pays to focus on them as the obstreperous ones.



Cher

[saltpoint]

9. Yes. Let's underline for the voters just how disingenius and cowardly

the Rethugs really are.

The GOP asked for it, after all.

[pnwmom]

2. If we had just backed off from their filibuster threat,

then it would be as if Levin-Reed had never happened -- no vote occurred -- because the Democratic majority didn't even put it on the floor.

Instead, the Democratic majority is making EVERY effort to put it up for a vote, whether we can win or not. This way, when the Republicans vote against putting the measure up for a vote, every Senator who does that is forced to go on record supporting Bush in his Iraq disaster.

Through the filibuster, a minority is preventing the majority from even voting on the amendment.They will probably succeed in the short term. But every Senator who opposes the vote is going to be on record now and will have to answer to this in the 2008 election.

[dEMOK]

3. We Hold the Repubs' feet to the fire?...

Haven't they been too comfortable for too long?

[sandnsea]

5. civics lesson

It takes a cloture vote of 60 to put legislation on the floor. It takes 67 votes to override a veto. Routine stuff, but it takes something dramatic to get this info out over the important news of the day, like drugged-up wreslters and the new giuliani-girl video.

[Swamp Rat]

6. At this moment, we can see how truly delusional and INSANE the republicans are... i.e. McCain

He's joined by his colleagues, the Chicken Hawks, live on TV!

STAY THE COURSE!!!

[dmosh42]

7. This will be a documented vote for all to see....

and especially for those whimpering Repubs who say they want a 'change-in-course, but back the administration in their 'stay-the-course votes. It becomes more plain that it's a 'support their president', instead of supporting the country.

[bunkerbuster1]

8. Every opportunity to gain public support for the Legislative branch should be grasped

This is one such opportunity, and I fully support Reid and Co.