Lost again 52 - 47. What was the logic behind Harry Reid's all night slumber party?

[RiverStone]

Damn, another victory for lock-stepping rethugs that seem content to give the finger to the American people and endlessly support Shrub's immoral war in Iraq.

Talk about a broken record that plays over and over!

Can someone in the political know please explain what Harry Reid hoped to achieve by debating all night, cause in the end the vote was a repeat of a repeat (add one vote for Collins). What the hell good did staying up all night do? All the Dems (minus Reid who voted NAY so he can bring it to vote again) plus rethugs Smith, Snowe, Hagel and Collins voted YEA. All the rehugs plus war-monger poster boy Lieberman voted NAY.

see vote roll call here:

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=1&vote=00252

I am at a loss to understand the wisdom of Reid's allnighter as the vote totals did not shift an inch. Is there some leverage or strategy I'm missing here? Is Reid just a pushover or does ALL the blame fall on rethug obstructionism? There must be something bolder we can do on The Hill then stay up all night :shrug:

ON EDIT: Add one rethug vote, Susan Collins of Maine.

[Perky]

1. Grandstanding I guess

I am, scratching my head as well.

[Beetwasher]

19. I Guess You Don't Understand Politics

Why the hell would you be scratching your head? This "grandstanding" has HIGHLIGHTED that it's the REPUBLICANS who are blocking the troops from coming home.

It's very simple to understand unless you really don't want to understand and merely want to disparage the Dems.

[RiverStone]

35. Don't the American people already know this?

...it's the REPUBLICANS who are blocking the troops from coming home.

Gawd, have not the rethugs been blocking the troops from coming home for a long time now. No surprises there. I'm not a political scientist, but Reid's strategy did not achieve one ounce of shift. My hope at this point is the rethugs will get one hell of a historic ass kicking in Nov of 08. That is the only optimism I can find here.

[EstimatedProphet]

45. No, they don't

the average person isn't even aware yet that it happened.

[muffin1]

91. Exactly

the average person prolly still believes we're there because Saddam blew up the WTC.:eyes:

[Beetwasher]

49. "My hope at this point is the rethugs will get one hell of a historic ass kicking in Nov of 08. "

Uh, yeah, so you do get it. That's the ONLY way the Dems will be able to acheive anything. Kick Repub ass in '08 so the Repubs can no longer obstruct. Dems need a fillibuster-proof majority. This "grandstanding" is a terrific step in that direction. That's the "logic".

The war is 100% a Republican war and it is NOW more obvious than ever because of this maneuver.

The public does NOT know this because the our "wonderful" MSM does not report this unless forced to. Reid forced them to w/ this.

[0007]

73. Doesn't this kind of accent Harry Reid's ploy? I think it great

and I hope they shove it right up junior's holy ass.

It takes a while for the American people to get it! but they are miles ahead of this mafia style administration and rubber stamp congress. They want someone to lead that has a pair of balls.

[LostinVA]

61. Bingo

[Perky]

81. Wow did you misread my post.

A little history.
I have nearly 30 years in Democratic Party politics including a stint as a Congressional aide and a Deptuty Campaign Director for anow retired Democratic House member


The problem with the Reid approach is that it was not going to move a single vote. He knew that going in.

He should have put the Lugar-Warner Bill on the table and tried to move an amendment to gicve it some teeth.

He should have tried to get it passed with a provision that 2008 funding was contingent upon a change in Policy.

Harry Reid's is taking partisan tact that stalemates the problem. The only way out of this quagmire is to ampu up the pressure on the GOP to vote for a reuirement for a change in policy. You have to get to 60 votes.

Keeping everybody up all night just gets people cranky and was never going to change a single mind. ergo it was a stunt designed to appeal to the base, a base he already has. If it does not force the GOP to the table... there is no value. No pressure was created by the strategy.

:shrug:

[Warren DeMontague]

95. I disagree. The pressure was created by the public perception that the Democratic Leadership in the

Senate is finally standing up to the President, and representing the vast majority of Americans who want to end this war.

[Beetwasher]

112. "I have nearly 30 years in Democratic Party politics including a stint ..."

Blah blah blah blah. And I'm the queen of England.

Obviously, w/ all your supposed experience, you learned nothing.

[Horse with no Name]

106. Indeed.

:thumbsup:

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

38. Are You Fucking Serious?

Oh God. You are.

How sad.

[Stuckinthebush]

53. Grandstanding???!!!!

Are you for real?

[Warren DeMontague]

75. Fuck. I guess there's just no pleasing some people. If he does nothing, he's caving, he does this,

he's "grandstanding".

News Flash: There are too Many Republicans in the Senate to override a Veto. I've expressed my irritation with him at times, too, but come on: what the fuck do people want from the guy?

[Perky]

89. see my other post in this subthread.

[Warren DeMontague]

96. And see my reply. Peace. nt

[speakclearly]

86. It all started with....................

Air America and "The young Turks".
http://www.airamerica.com/node/4476

And Conrad
http://news.yahoo.com/s/thenation/20070717/cm_thenation/1214732

[saltpoint]

2. I respectfully disagree. We won and we won big.

The shift against the Bush war machine is now undeniable and the GOP, while blocking this one initiative, further digs its deep hole in public disapproval.

I say hurray for Harry Reid and the Democrats.

[halobeam]

3. and holding the vote for Def. Bill until this fillibustering stops

is smart. Real smart.

[saltpoint]

7. Harry won't hesitate to elbow under the basket for a rebound or two.

I'm with him all the way in this.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

8. I'm in your corner on this

This is politics and right now our side is winning. I'm impressed at the way Reid has handled this situation.

[melody]

Exactly -- it is a brilliant tactical move n/t

[EFerrari]

22. I second that hurray! Harry Reid is playing hardball.

And, he's just the guy to do it. I don't always agree with him but he has a steely streak that is refreshing and encouraging to see in action. :hi:

[saltpoint]

23. Agreed. Harry's got that quiet, reasonable voice and in the very

next instant is grinding Mitch McConnell to powder on the floor of the U.S. Senate.

I think Harry's had his best week by far this week.

[RiverStone]

24. No - this is old news

I respectfully disagree with your disagreement Old Crusoe.

You said: The shift against the Bush war machine is now undeniable and the GOP, while blocking this one initiative, further digs its deep hole in public disapproval.

What shift? I saw not a shift to be seen??? The GOP has blocked one initiative after another. There were no surprises here.

How can this loss be skewed into a victory, when the endless war marches on - more tragic loss of life marches on - $100,000 per minute being spent in Iraq marches on. Shrub gets his way again and the American people's desire to end this war is 100% ignored by the rethug minority who seem to still -inexplicably- get their way. I don't see a victory at all.

On edit: add Collins to the YEA

[saltpoint]

32. Reid and Pelosi can't lightswitch an end to a war.

They can chip away strategically and undermine McConnell's defense of the administration and time it with the tides of public opinion.

They've done that. They're doing that this week.

And it is good.

[Seabiscuit]

59. When it comes time for a new Iraq appropriations bill, Reid and Pelosi CAN

lightswitch an end to the war by simply refusing to allow any bill onto the floor of Congress granting any money for the Iraq war. Kucinich is right - the way to end the war is simply to refuse to give Bush any more appropriations bills paying for it.

[RiverStone]

68. And this will be different then the vote last May?

Refusing to allow any bill onto the floor granting $$$ for the immoral war machine would work --- I hope your right Seabicuit.

What evidence have you seen to suggest that the Dems WILL take this strategy in September?

[Seabiscuit]

93. Entirely different - last May they sent a bill appropriating all the $$ Bush wanted

but putting timelines into it they knew Bush would veto.

Then they turned around and just handed him everything he wanted on a silver platter.

The only way to avoid a veto is to simply not give him anything he can veto. Cut off the funds by simply not sending him any bill authorizing funds for Iraq.

I'm not predicting this will happen, I'm not that naive - but Kucinich has been advocating it loudly, and I agree with him.

[RiverStone]

101. Kick post #93!

Sometimes simple works!

Maybe as we approach year 6 of the worst foreign policy blunder in US history, the American people will demand (in unison) that we simply do not vote to give Shrub anymore war toys for his war based on lies.

Yes, I too agree with Kucinich!

[Seabiscuit]

116. Thank you.

The 1975 Congress did it and ended the Vietnam War. So it can be done. All it takes is a Dem majority with the spine to stand on principle and do the right thing.

[saltpoint]

70. Hi, Seabiscuit. I know -- I just KNOW -- you don't think it's that

simple.

[Seabiscuit]

94. It is that simple - that doesn't mean it will happen, of course.

Not with this Congress. They're too afraid of the MSM backlash painting them as "unpatriotic" and "cut and run" and "not supporting the troops".

[TwilightGardener]

33. Collins voted for Levin-Reed. That's two more Repubs who vote to end the war.

[RiverStone]

44. Corrected - thanks

Hagel, Smith, Snowe, and Collins - I thought the first 3 were givens already?

[Old and In the Way]

74. This shift is happening, but it's a gradual process.

This has been the most focused debate on the war we've had yet. The public and media are getting a very clear picture of where the Parties stand on this most important issue of our time. Will the vote results change today? Maybe not. But the Republican position is not defendable and they will pay a price for putting Bush and Party before the interests of this country.

[jazzjunkysue]

102. For a GOP, voting against the party is suicide. This puts the onus on

the GOP: They own the war and all the mess that will follow. Harry did exactly what our laws allow.The checks and balances can only encourage a senator to consider another policy. The reason america is free is that once elected, each senator cannot be compelled to vote a certain way. But if they don't represent their constituents, they'll be out of office in '08.

Harry's making that a reality, here. Either they keep the voters or they keep the $$ from the party.

Basically, he's asking them to step off a ledge and hope the voters will save them, or, he's asking for their retirement.

If the first 2 GOP can start a trend, it may give others political cover to follow next time, as the election cycle approaches. This also gives the democratic challengers for their seats fodder for the campaign. "My opponent voted every time to continue the war."

[John Q. Citizen]

26. it was a good move to gather public support. And setting aside the Defense bill

is even better. It's acutally temporarily exerting the power of the purse if even only temporarily.

[DangerDave921]

37. Damn Straight We Won

Yup, we won. Just like the Chicago Bears won the Super Bowl last year. Even though the score was 29-17 in favor of the Colts, that means nothing. Of course the Bears won! Don't let a little thing like scores or votes count for anything.

[saltpoint]

46. Now Dave. Let's get our analogies in order.

I don't believe public sentiment on Bush's war is a matter of win-or-lose. Football games are over in 4 quarters. Winning team takes the trophy.

Wars aren't that way. Especially this one. Neither Tony nor Lovey lied to the fans before kick-off. People who bought tickets did so out of their discretionary pockets; no one was compelled to attend the game.

If you disagree with the war, you ought to give Senator Reid another chance. Because I believe he shares your view.

And he's done a terribly meaningful and useful thing this week to help end the conflict and weaken the Republicans' position.

I'm very proud of him.

[DangerDave921]

58. I know

Just venting a little and letting my sarcasm get the best of me.

I know public sentiment cries out for bringing the troops home. Whatever can be done to get that message to the Exhalted Emperor's ears is fine with me.

[saltpoint]

62. I'm with ya on that, and I hope you will accept a belated welcome to DU.

It's a good place you've joined up on, and I hope to read your posts on all the boards.

Welcome.

[DangerDave921]

79. Thanks!

I've learned some things on here. I don't agree with all the stuff I see, but hey -- that's what makes talking to people fun. If we all agreed 24/7, there'd be no point. I'm probably more middle of the road Dem than a true Progressive, but maybe DU will change me! LOL

Look forward to chatting with you.

[Swamp Rat]

84. I agree

Hooray for Harry! :kick:

[Zensea]

4. Yes, you're missing something

I'm sure it has already been explained many times the past few days, so I'm going to guess your question is a rhetorical question.

[bryant69]

5. It is theatre

The Republicans are marching in lockstep agains the will of the American people; Reids maneuver underlined that point.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[LoZoccolo]

6. If Reid hadn't done this, people here would be giving him grief.

To you and I, the result is the result, but a lot of people demand a show of loyalty in the process, however futile.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

9. We have a record of who is against the troops

like LIEbermann.

[MadHound]

10. It is a distraction, a sideshow, grandstanding to take our eyes off of the fact

That the Dems could actually end the war by defunding it, yet they choose not to, insuring that the death and destruction continue.

[blondeatlast]

Excuse me--Reid just held up all legislation, including the Defense Authorization Act,

until Levin/Reed is once again voted on and he will continue to introduce LevinReed and hold up the DA until he gets the results he wants.

Your ignorance on this matter speaks volumes.

[MadHound]

64. And what happens if Levin/Reed is passed

Well, Bush boy will once again veto it, the war will continue to grind on, and the Dems will once again throw up their hands stating that "We did all we could", yet all the while refusing the defunding option.

No, I'm not ignorant on this matter(but hey, thanks for the gratuitous smear). I see perfectly well what is going on and quite frankly I'm repulsed by it. Congress could easily defund this war and bring the troops home, yet they continue to refuse that option.

Sorry, but the rest of this is blather and grandstanding, designed to obfuscate the Dems ongoing refusal to use every tool they have to bring the troops home.

[radfringe]

11. the purpose is to show the people the Dems ARE SERIOUS

about ending the Iraq debacle, and they are being prevented from doing so by the republics

the dems have said they don't have the votes to end the debacle - the "slumber party" shows the reason why they don't have the votes - because the freaking republics won't even let them vote on it

[RiverStone]

65. Ok, then the next step for the American people is?

Minus the 27-28% of rethug drones who drank the kool-aid, a majority of the American people must know that the rethugs are THE OBSTRUCTIONISTS on this damn war. My assumption is that that already is common knowledge.

Though if as some suggest in this thread, now the American people DO see that the "freaking republics won't let them vote on it" then they need to get off their lazy rethug constituent ass and let their rep know that unless they work to bring the troops home now --- they have lost their vote.

Until more red-staters threaten to pull their support, Shrub's war will march on it seems - cause those pukes on The Hill are not worried about their seat apparently???

[KittyWampus]

77. do you live in the bottom of a well? Check out the NYTimes Headlines today. Americans

don't have a fucking clue about what Congress/Democrats/GOP are doing because the Corporate Media ALWAYS enables the Corporate Tools that control our government.

Go check out the NYTimes headline and get back to us when you say Americans know the GOP is being obstructionist.

Damn, not even DU"ers who claim to be informed know what Democrats have accomplished and yet you think Americans know the GOP is obstructionist.

[RiverStone]

98. Actually I live under the stars...

In beautiful rural Washington State :)

Cryingshame, you point out that even some DU'ers don't get what Dems have accomplished --- granted, I may not get all of it either.

Though when I listen to Dennis Kucinich for example, it seems our "strategy" has not been very effective at all. Maybe it takes more patience --- or then again --- more political guts to force a shift in Shrub's war. I asked the Kucinich question here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=1368904&mesg_id=1368904

We are all wanting the same thing - how we are getting there (or not) is worth a healthy debate.

peace~

[The Stranger]

12. DE-FUND THE WAR, HARRY.

[xultar]

17. Can he win that vote?

[The Stranger]

29. Apparently, due to the GOP war crimes conspiracy, he cannot get ANY VOTE.

Pull the bills from being considered. Use his powers as Majority Leader.

Answer to the people.

[John Q. Citizen]

34. absolutely. He just doesn't schedule a vote on a funding bill. No bill gets

voted on.

No funds.

[RiverStone]

114. Exactly!

That has been Dennis Kucinich's point/position for a long time now.

[blondeatlast]

41. He just maneuvered to do so. See the Greatest page. nt

[knowledgeispwr]

47. LoL

Some just don't pay attention.

[blondeatlast]

51. No kidding. They spend as much time as I do here, yet haven't got a clue as to what's going on.

And I admittedly spend a lot of time here. GAH!

[The Stranger]

100. And where do you think he got the idea?

Thank you very much!

[wryter2000]

13. It's beating them over the head with their support for this war

It won't stop the war now. It might win over a few Repugs in the future. It'll make it damned hard for the Repugs to win their re-election bids. That's worth staying up all night.

[johncoby2]

14. The Rs threatened a filibuster, so Reid gave it to them.

And now they are whining about it.

Usually the minority leader will just say they intend to filibuster and that is it. no filibuster really happens. So Harry said, you want one? You got one.

[xultar]

15. If he doesn't do anything he's damned. If he does do something he's damned.

Come on people.

[knowledgeispwr]

50. I know, right!

Remember when people asked us to at least take symbolic stances and now Reid is holding up the defense bill and it's still not good enough.

Sheesh.

[sharp_stick]

16. If it pisses off the republicans I'm happy for it.

The only reason he did it was to bring the newly obstructionist pukes into focus, basically it was political theatre that everyone knew the eventual outcome of.

I'm only saddened for the loss of business felt by the poor republican loving prostitutes of Washington DC. Then again, they probably needed the rest.

[sinkingfeeling]

18. Here, let Will Pitt expain it....

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/071707R.shtml

" Simply, those 22 GOP senators could:

Continue to stand with Bush in defiance of overwhelming public opinion, continue to vote against timetables and withdrawal, and face potential defeat at the polls next year; or,

Break with the administration, vote in favor of timetables and withdrawal, become part of a veto-proof coalition, and improve the chance of winning at the polls next year.
If those 22 Republicans fail to heed the public's demands for much longer, the '08 midterms may well see many, most, or all of them defeated at the polls. The current one-vote Democratic majority in the Senate would be vastly increased, and would wield the kind of legislative power not seen in the Senate in many years. Such a muscular majority could dictate terms on Iraq, restoration of habeas corpus, the nomination of new justices to the United States Supreme Court, and those issues are just for starters.

If, on the other hand, enough of those 22 Republicans abandon Bush after facing repeated legislative salvos from the majority, bills mandating withdrawal from Iraq could then be crafted and passed; if the majority's seeming strategy bears fruit, a coalition of 67 senators will be the final result, holding enough votes to override any veto, enough votes to begin legislating an end to this war. The Bush administration would, at long last, be cornered and check-mated."

[Seabiscuit]

63. The problem is...

nothing guarantees that the voting public will remember any of this by November, 2008, and probably only a very small percent of them is even aware of what just happened last night.

[JacquesMolay]

20. It's a victory for Bush, not the GOP....

... the majority of Americans stand against Bush and this insane war, and now the Majority of Republicans have chosen to stand by him. They're going to pay for this next year at the voting booth.

[bdamomma]

87. it is their choice to follow * off the cliff, that is their decision.

stupid republicans.

[saltpoint]

21. Here's a DU thread on the response to Harry Reid this week so far:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x1367780

[rockymountaindem]

25. Staying up all night always draws attention

The Democrats standing there all night with a sign that said "Let Us Vote" does two things:

1) It makes the Republicans look like the Bush lackeys they are and
2) Throws their whole "the fillabuster is immoral" thing back at them.

It was a good move, even if the outcome was a foregone conclusion. Even if it had passed, it would have been vetoed anyway.

[Old and In the Way]

85. Normally, the minority welcomes the opportunity to jawbone on the issue

that they are filibustering. This minority would prefer not to debate their position on Iraq. It's the majority that wants the vote to happen. Speaks volumes about their political integrity.

[windy252]

27. Whether this will work remains to be seen.

But my guess is that Reid was trying to highlight that it was the Repubs, not the Dems, who are stopping Bush's endless adventure in Iraq from coming to an end. Title is because I'm sure the corporate media will try to spin it again to make the Dems look bad. For example, MSNBC which has already "objectively" labeled this a "sound defeat" for the Democrats.

[blogslut]

28. The perfect opportunity to insert my BALL analogy

The Bush administration, including all the cronies, cohorts and criminals, are at this moment, balancing a whole lot of bullshit in a circus act. They are the clown, atop the unicycle, juggling balls in the air. The collective we: Democratic members of the House and Senate, the progressive press and bloggers and activists, are the people in the stands, throwing balls at the clown. The clown is very skilled. He can juggle an amazing number of balls while remaining atop his unicycle. Just the same, the clown is still a clown. That act is still an act. As long as the balls keep coming, the clown will lose his grip and fall.

Keep throwing those balls, people!

[Beetwasher]

30. Senate Republicans defeat Iraq withdrawal bill

That headline is the "logic". Get it?

This hugely UNPOPULAR war is now firmly, irrevocably a REPUBLICAN WAR. Get it?

[Beelzebud]

Do you play checkers, or do you play chess?

[TwilightGardener]

31. Harry done good. He didn't just quietly let a chance to end the war

fail without some BIG noise and attention. This all-nighter drew notice to the fact that the Dems and some Repubs are SERIOUS about bringing an end to the carnage, and that the Repubs only want to stay the course and protect the president.

[WI_DEM]

36. Some people don't appreciate anything the Dems do

They are trying to focus attention on the issues and yes, it may have been a lost cause, but it got attention.

[John Q. Citizen]

57. Actually, it destracted atttention from the fact Reid has set aside the Defense Bill

and isn't allowing anything to be done on it to pressure the GOP into a vote on the Levin Reid amendment.

Which, believe it or not, is useful too.

Believe me, the GOP Senators are aware of it even if the public at large may not be.

[DS1]

39. yaaawwwnn

must be nice being able to see into the future - anything else we should preemptively give up on?

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

40. Really? You're Really At A Loss?

I'd wager it more likely that you understand it fine, but would rather bash Reid anyway.

Thanks for your concern, but please be assured they did the right thing.

[BlooInBloo]

52. Yup.... Basically, all of the "I hate Democrats" crew on DU has two ways to go at this point....

... either (a) Pretend they didn't say all the things they said before, and hope no-one else remembers (not a bad tactic), or (b) Stick to their guns.

The OP seems to be aimed at (b) - the majority of the Democrat-haters are opting for (a).

[blondeatlast]

66. I'm trying to draw them out here--watch how fast it sinks...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=1368432&mesg_id=1368432

[BlooInBloo]

67. Heh! Nice! I missed that one - thx!

[John Q. Citizen]

71. Your analysis is simplistic. I would divide the people here into two different

categories, generally speaking.

There are the "Dems are wonderful and are almost perfect," side, and there are the "tough love" side.

This is generally speaking. Some people here believe the Dems walk on water (were perfect, are perfect and forever will be perfect) and some believe they are the devil incarnate, but I would argue those people are few.

While I imagine you might disagree with me, I would say that Cindy and her supporters here are in the "tough love" camp. They have been falsely characterized as "hating Dems" but like I said, that's simplistic at best.

Let's look at Cindy's argument/motivation for instance. She has been working to get Pelosi to put impeachment back on the table. For quite a while now. So finally she set a boundry (tough love)and said, this is the peoples house, if you want to live here you live by our rules. (Nancy's voters were 60% to 40% pro impeachment back in Nov 2006)Put impeachment back on the table or there will be consequenses.

This is far from hate. Cindy has never bashed Pelosi, belittled Pelosi, or smeared Pelosi. She simply is setting some boundries. I think that's healthy.

[BlooInBloo]

72. LOL! Talk about simplistic! ROFLMAO!!!

Name two people who are on the "Dems are wonderful and are almost perfect" side, please.

[RiverStone]

99. Yup -- very simplistic

Thank goodness I've spent all my votes over many years for a Democratic party that does NOT expect all to march in lock-step (like the rethugs).

Being critical of Reid's approach does NOT suggest "I hate Democrats" - on the contrary, I've spent more hours than you will ever know at meet-ups, fundraisers, marches, and forums fighting for the values of our Democratic party.

Given your logic Bloo - Dennis Kucinich is a Dem hater for his approach which has always been more dramatic to end to war then most Dems. And Dennis's way makes more sense every day this endless war marches on well into it's 5th year.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

110. There are a lot of DU'ers who need a civics class

Some are as lost about the political process as Freepers. It's easier to complain when you don't understand the system.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

42. With the poll numbers showing that Ameicans are angry with Congress for not doing what they

were voted in to do, the Democrats had to "stage" this to get National Attention. Otherwise, MSM will continue to ignore them.

[CK_John]

43. IMO, Reid was staging a object lesson for the impeachment crowd. 67-52 =zip. n/t

[liberal N proud]

48. The media couldn't ignore it

Although they tried to spin as negative pointing out the cost and that nothing would come from it and blah, blah fucking blah.

BUT, The American people heard and the troops heard that the Democrats in Congress know they are out there and that they are sacrificing and tired of this never ending cycle of war and spin by the bu$h regime.

This is not good for the republicans at this time and it can only be good for the Democrats

[brentspeak]

54. Man, with some people, the Democrats are damned if they do, damned if they don't. No matter what.

[Enrique]

55. they weren't expecting to change the vote totals

I think they said as much going in.

[leftofthedial]

56. put the repukes on the record

I say do it every damned night

[sampsonblk]

60. He called them out, and that's a good thing

These guys are scumbags, and Reid called them on it. Reid is right not to stipulate that they have the vote to block us. He made them prove it - on camera.

In my opinion, he nudged us a tiny bit closer to the goal line.

[PassingFair]

69. We need to FIGHT them with EVERYTHING we have at EVERY TURN.

Good for Harry! Good for the Dems!
Win or Lose, they FIGHT for the American People.

It's what they're SUPPOSED to do.

It will at least quiet the "there's NO difference
between the two" independents out there.

[triguy46]

76. Keep bringing it up, keep making the repugs go on the record.

C'mon November 2008.

[bdamomma]

78. to show what a$$holes the repigs are.

and they have done that numerous times.

[acmavm]

80. Because now it is set in stone who is with the American people

and who is standing with Corporate America against us.

[bdamomma]

82. Spector that swine had some choice words for Harry Reid

saying that the night session did not do anything, filty slime Spector is.

[Strawman]

83. These Senators will go home soon for their August recess

and be forced to explain their visible show of support for this unpopular war to their constituents. After the August recess there will be more defections. TV ads shwoing them defending the war would be a nice way to add even more pressure.

This is a move to setup another move in September when they will ratchet up the pressure even more.

[The Straight Story]

88. It is better to fight and to lose than to never fight at all

If I gave up every time something did not go my way I would be dead by now.

The dems showed they were willing to fight - the American people saw the rethugs, once again, for what they are - war mongering assholes.

We lost a vote - but we won the election - as we will win the next one.

[jazzjunkysue]

103. Exactly. The dems can face the military families because we keep

trying to get them home. Amen.

[Vidar]

90. It looked like he was fighting, for a change. Losing I can forgive as

long as they fight. I applaud Harry this time.

[Kingshakabobo]

92. It's been all over the media this morning.

I hope they do it twice a week!

[nadinbrzezinski]

97. Proving to people that the GOP is the party of war

these tactics DO HAVE a function in a working democracy

[jazzjunkysue]

104. We've got a 5 vote lead. That's alot better than last year. Progress.

[11 Bravo]

105. I tend not to lend much credence to threads which employ Repug talking points language.

Slumber party my fucking ass. Funny, Limbaugh, Hannity, Beck, Ingraham, Malkin, and every other wingnut talking head or columnist on the planet used the exact same description. Maybe you are all on the same mailing list?

:shrug:

[RiverStone]

107. I tend to not give credence to broad brush labels

Chill on using the broad brush Bravo. I know not what the fuck Limbaugh and Co. say, as I never listen to them. Slumber party was what popped into my mind.

You have every right to disagree with me, and thankfully I belong and have worked for many years, fund-raised, phone banked, meet-up(ed), marched, and wrote letters for a party that does NOT expect all of us to march in lockstep like the rethugs. I think as we are well into year 5 of this Iraq disaster - it's ok to grow frustrated and demand a more radical approach - even within our own party! Back in May, I was very angry at Dems who capitulated to Shrub and gave $$$ with that vote, but I also recognized courageous Dems willing to call them to task for wimping out - like Russ Feingold! Ironic how some folks on DU dissed anybody who still supported Cindy Sheehan (because she too broke ranks). We can agree to disagree AND still be Dems eh?

Disagree with me please.

You may also disagree with Dennis Kucinich - who said no more VOTES equals NO MORE $$$ - a strategy I fully agree with!

“This bill will not end the war. This bill will not end the occupation. It doesn’t take a vote to end this war. We must inform the Administration that the $97 billion appropriated last month is the end of the financing for the war.


http://kucinich.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=69245

But before you suggest I'm on some god damned rethug mailing list, read more of my over 1000 posts and/or journal. I take most things in great stride, but being associated as on a rethug mailing list???

That's b.s.

[11 Bravo]

109. You're correct, and I apologize.

I stayed up last night and watched the whole thing on C-Span, I'm tired and edgy, and I heard the aforementioned Repug noise machine employ the phrase "slumber party" over and over today. That's no excuse for going after you.

:thumbsup:

[RiverStone]

111. Thanks

We share far more common ground then not.

peace :hi:

[Ganja Ninja]

108. The point is to do it over and over again as this war drones on.

To show the American people who's responsible for keeping this war going. See the Democrats have a simple majority of one vote if all of them are present and able to vote. Currently one isn't able to vote because he's recovering from brain surgery. Still they were able to muster a majority of votes but not enough votes to cut off debate. The GOP minority is thwarting the will of the majority of Americans to keep this war going. Thats the point.

[LittleClarkie]

113. Considering what's happening right this minute

I think they're showing us they're not backing down. Last night was just the first damn step.

[bigwillq]

115. Now the blame is on the rethugs

they are the ones who are blocking an attempt to end this war and to bring our troops home.

Just like the blame was on Shrub when he veto the last withdrawal bill the Senate sent to his desk.

What else is there to understand? :shrug: