BREAKING: Reid To Force All-Night Filibuster On Iraq Withdrawal

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/07/16/reid-filibuster/

BREAKING: Reid To Force All-Night Filibuster On Iraq Withdrawal


Moments ago, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) announced that in response to conservative obstructionism, he plans to force war supporters to physically remain in the Senate and filibuster Iraq withdrawal legislation.

Reid accused conservatives of “protecting the President rather than protecting our troops” by “denying us an up or down vote on the most important issue our country faces.” He said that if a vote on the Reed/Levin Iraq legislation is not allowed today or tomorrow, he will keep the Senate in session “straight through the night on Tuesday” and force a filibuster. From Reid’s speech:

Republicans are using a filibuster to block us from even voting on an amendment that could bring the war to a responsible end. They are protecting the President rather than protecting our troops.

They are denying us an up or down — yes or no — vote on the most important issue our country faces.

I would like to inform the Republican leadership and all my colleagues that we have no intention of backing down.

If Republicans do not allow a vote on Levin/Reed today or tomorrow, we will work straight through the night on Tuesday.

The American people deserve an open and honest debate on this war, and they deserve an up or down vote on this amendment to end it.

Reid’s announcement follows calls from OpenLeft, Firedoglake and others for Congress to call the conservatives’ bluff and force them to filibuster the Levin-Reed Iraq redeployment bill.

I know some of you won't.

with that post :thumbsup:

;)

I am watching MSNBC and did not see this!

charges against Harriet Miers.

times in the past when everyone was cheering "Fighting" Harry only too be disappointed when the cave came. If the Democrats stick to this, then praise will be forthcoming, if they don't, well, it won't be the first time...

then again his base is spoiling for a fight so it shouldn't be that hard to be courageous.

could start launching missiles in the Capitol and a huge majority of the Dem base would cheer and start heading for DC, but the Dems remain passive (or nearly so)...it makes me short-circuit!

We'll see if the Dems cave as they have done in the past.

Reid. They disagree with his caution while so many lives are on the line. There is a difference.

I've been frustrated for months with Reid and Pelosi and their seeming fear of a President with a 26% approval rating. Don't want to impeach him? Fine. But for Chrissake, back the Republicans into a corner and force them to either stop the war or commit political suicide.

When I saw the OP I thought it was a joke!

so why is it right to filibuster now?

well what ever -- they can have fun yammering and staying up all night.

may they suffer.

He's going to make them work at it at least.

now? I mean what exactly are they doing to stop an up or down vote? And what are they trying to accomplish by doing it?


I'm tho cornfuthed. :cry:

Cloture ends debate on an issue. I think I heard somewhere, not sure where, that there is a Senate rule that has been in place for a long time that has a full debate at 30 hours. I'm not sure what happens after 30 hours, it may be that cloture is not necessary. This will be interesting.

edited to add that this will force the repubs to talk for 30 hours straight.

Reid is going to make them physically keep "debating" if they are going to do this.
That's how filibusters were done in the old days.

He stood at the podium and read the Bible or a phone book for like 20 hours, right?

:woohoo:

Is Harry providing pizza and bathroom breaks? What about the smokers?

and cots

(from my own experience, not bashing smokers here.) Does anyone have a list of rethug smokers so we can know who will cave first?

This may be over real fast! Good move Harry!

:rofl:

If we've learned anything from last week's collective enlightenment, we should all be up to speed on this.

And at what age does it stop being sex again?

Age 0-3 : Not sex
Age 4-70 : Sex?
Age 70-death : Not Sex?

I need clarification so I can fill in my score-book tonight. ;)

and I think it ranges from 40-90 - sex, but the data on this isn't all in yet, statistics are being calculated as we speak.

See ya, Normie!

;)

their remarks were snide. That Contessa is far happier reporting dope to the masses than news.

I love this. Do it, do it, do it.

It won't get as hot as it is in Baghdad.

make 'em sweat!

I can already see all the pukes, sitting there in their diapers. Waiting it out.

Give em hell. Harry!

which threatened to effectively table the amendment

won't filibuster, or as someone else has graciously put it "a filibuster-busterer". It does make a lot of sense to me.

Reid is just making them do it until they drop. Like somebody above said, a filibuster buster.

:hi:

Use the tools we have in any damn way we can,and do it now!

I missed that part.

The pugs are doing the filbuster. Reid is just forcing them to do it the hard way.

The republicans have been threatening filibusters left and right. Reid is forcing their hand.

Now imagine all those chicken-shit wingnuts actually defending their BS for 24 hours. I give them three hours before they start repeating themselves and six hours before they start drooling and fainting from the exhaustion. of lying for six straight hours. They've got nothing and now they're being forced to show their crappy hand. Cards on table, boys.

repeat the talking points, so what?

How will this help?

From FiredogLake/Bob Geiger:

Reid will be using the provision of Rule 22 that allows for up to 30 hours of continuous debate once it’s made clear — in this case, by Republicans trying to avoid an up-or-down vote on Reed-Levin — that there is a desire to continue debating the issue.

In other words, the Majority Leader is saying “You want to debate? We’ll stay all night and debate.”
Reid could hold the Senate in continuous session overnight Tuesday and into midday Wednesday unless Republicans agree to a simple-majority vote on Reed-Levin.

Senate Democrats will then be prepared to take to the floor and speak all night and, if their Republican colleagues do not remain in the chamber, invoke ongoing quorum calls and other procedural maneuvers to force GOP members back to the Senate floor...

link: http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/07/16/boo-yah/

against the Dems is now biting them square on the ass.

It helps. Not only Bush, but congress has low ratings, because they are perceived as not wanting to stop the war. This may not be effective in doing that, but it will highlight the cause of the problem, and put political pressure on the Republicans. They may think twice before filibustering the next bill that comes along.

Then it will be "terra, terra, terra" and "Osama, Osama, Osama" all through the filibuster.

This might be a good move. It draws the lines in congress more clearly and forces more detailed reporting than "congresses general approval rating" vs "presidential approval rating."

The various media seem content to delve into this "low congressional approval rating" story frequently without giving it any real context. They report on polling numbers that occur without the people they poll having information as to what is going on.

The majority of Americans want out of Iraq. I think the inability of congress to get us out is part of the frustration. If Americans knew who was REALLY responsible for stalling on this their opinions would be more focused. (This also begs the question as to whether "Do you approve of the job Congress is doing?" is a very good question. It isn't.)

trying to block a vote on the bill.

Even if the Repos cave (which I doubt) and they pass the bill, bush will veto it. ANd they dion't have the votes to over ride the veto.

But it's kind of fun in a circus kind of way.

from John Q. Citizen will have a tremendous impact, making the republicans look like the die heart double speak bastards they are.

It will help, Watch!!

overwhelmingly unpopular war...

The Senate has to first agress to discuss a bill before it can come up for amendments and such.

In this case, by going old school, the Repubs will have to actually talk to fill the space, and it will drag on and on, especially if Reid refuses to bring any other business to the floor or put the Senate in recess or ajournment.

If they don't have the drive to stand at a podium all night, they can't block debating the bill.

But only when somebody else has to do it.

to stay at work for awhile and doing their job!

Another rogue piece of luggage is going to be spotted, I expect.

Can't put anything past those GOP fan boys.

And Lindsay Graham will be able to wear his "I'm the Lil' General" pajamas with the little tanks and little planes and little soldiers pattern!!

What happened that I missed?

...it's rumored that some ladies engaged in an ancient profession have revealed that a certain Mr. Vitter has a diaper fetish.

likes to dress up in diapers?

Please tell me nooooo! :bounce:

wanted to be spanked for pooping in them.

Harry, you rock!

Go, Senator Reid!

:rofl:

heads off, I hope the Dems give it to them hard, no backing down we are watching you? My Senator from RI needs a call for this Levin/Reed amendment. Give him some support.

It's Time for this nightmare to end!!!

then we'll send it to all their constituents....remember this is a greatly unpopular war.

this afternoon on C Span 2, they want these repigs on the floor to debate.

this AMENDMENT passes? How long is it going to take to get the House to vote on it, get the language reconciled, and get it passed again in both houses and get it to *'s desk for veto? And, will they have enough votes to override the veto?

I hope this all works, but here's where I'm coming from:

I agree with Dennis Kucinich. To end this war, all that has to happen is for the leadership to REFUSE to bring any more war funding bills to the floor for a vote. When the money runs out, and no bills are on the floor to fund it, the war ends.

DON'T.FUND.THE.DAMNED.WAR!! Don't even bring funding up for a vote.

Absent that, then this step by Harry Reid is the best course. Let's pray that when we hear "no more blank checks" that they won't write any more blank checks, like the last time.

I'll believe this isn't another Reid Stunt when I see a vote that favors something with TEETH that's BINDING. Until then...it's another empty hope.

I hope the Repugs choke on it.....

even if it fails as a fillibusters fillibuster,
it will make the War Mongers stand and defend B***
and that will make great TV ads for the next election.... HA!

and cancel their appointments for the night!

:rofl:

60 votes needed for cloture, i.e., close debate. If cloture fails --> debate must continue for the prespecified number of hours. My question: after the all night discussion, can the amendment be brought to a vote and require a simple majority? Not that in practical terms it will matter much, the magical number is still 67, but still....

And I think that after that they will only need 51 votes. It will of course be vetoed by Bush, but then it is on Bush and not the Senate.

And don't back down!!!! :bounce: :applause: :woohoo: :rofl: :popcorn:

:thumbsup:

Way to go!

At the very least this will get noticed by the media.

Even red staters who still feel some obligation to support Bush* because of the troops in Iraq will respect people standing up and fighting for what they believe in.

I, of course, applaud the fact that the dems may finally be 'getting it'

This is the party and president that has DESTROYED AMERICA. This is an administration that is murderous and lawless. The Republican party is a virtual crime family responsible for the dismantling of the constitution. And Im supposed to be impressed with an all night filibuster? Please.

We have criminals in the white house. We have liars and thieves starting illegal and immoral wars in our name. We have attacks ready to be launched against Iran...a nation that like Iraq has done nothing to us and is no threat. And Im supposed to be impressed with an all nighter??

I'll be impressed when Americans finally stand up and demand an end to the crimes and kick the bastards out with a popular revolt...an uprising of the people against these criminals. But an all night slumber party by the democratic party? Sorry its all too little too late. The damage is done. America has been destroyed by the republican party.

gather your friends, and get out in the street - storm the bastille. Don't go on the internet and cast asparagus on what is being done if you think it's not enough. This is a government of the people. You are one of the people. Start a hugh uprising. I'm series. Posters saying what others should be doing are just another form of chickenhawk.

series AND chickenhawk, all into one big freedom-loving frittata.

:yourock:

Any legislation calling for withdrawal timetables/deadlines that allows them to pass without consequence at Bush's own discretion (like the first supplemental spending bill Bush vetoed this spring) isn't worth the paper it's written on.

I just don't trust our Dem leadership anymore to do anything significant beyond peppering the airwaves with an indignant speech here and there. Then the rubber hits the road they run and hide.

You just KNOW great change will result, eh?
NOT.

BHN

Now that we are it's considered political theater? Nah, this is democracy and it's timely as hell. This is actually a step in ending the war, though it's not apparent to many just yet.

My brain/soul can't endure the disappointment of any more
"THIS is it!" scenes that lead to more of the same insanity.
That's just me.

BHN

:hug:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=1345403&mesg_id=1345403

In the land where I live, the free pass on Iran Dems somehow
don't give me much hope about the filibuster Dems.

I just can't help but notice the complete disconnect.

BHN

http://www.thenation.com/blogs/thebeat?bid=1&pid=214732

:hi:

Have a great night, shutting down for now. *yawn*

:hi:

Hey, what's wrong with THAT picture?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=1345403&mesg_id=1345403

:banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:
BHN

:shrug: And upon reading the amendment, I don't see where Dems voted to "attack?"

http://iranlegislation.wikispaces.com/space/showimage/DAV07990_xml.pdf

I'll check back in the AM. Again, g-night.

Not to mention countless other analysts of impeccable reputations.
BHN

eom

http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,128420,00.html

"House Democrats Retreat on Iran
Associated Press | March 13, 2007

WASHINGTON - Top House Democrats retreated Monday from an attempt to
limit President Bush's authority for taking military action against
Iran as the leadership concentrated on a looming confrontation
with the White House over the Iraq war.

Officials said Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other members
of the leadership had decided to strip from a major military
spending bill a requirement for Bush to gain
approval from Congress before moving against Iran..."

So far, they have not uttered a peep about restraining
the madmen.

BHN

there is NO WAY we will fall for their bullshit again. America is tired of war.

Now I'm REALLY out. Again, have a nice evening BHN.

Good night to you.
Peace out,
BHN

:shrug:

I think some of these people are complicit.

Those were bald-faced lies. Too many knew it to let these creeps off the hook.

That doesn't make sense to me? But, I do think that this administration used Colin Powell to convince those on the fence, and given his history of integrity some believed him. Even some DU-ers did? I guess I think they were duped, but regardless it's time to end it.

However, will they be 'duped' on Iran as well?

I don't think it's impossible. Not by a LONG shot.

If that happens, your guess is as good as mine. But, I think that we'd probably mention the fact that Bush isn't "that concerned" about Osama and decide to go that route.

Peace

Peace. :)

Iran, and we (because we are such good friends of Isreal) join in to help our friends. Sickening, what do you guys think? We have to keep several steps ahead of slimy thuggish neo cons. Just speculating and not pushing for it either.

I mean, what would the sequence of events be here? Would all of the war supporters be forced to physically remain in the chamber all night?

I wish I had their hours - they are never there.

Heh - this could prove interesting!

:hi:

Give 'em hell, Harry. Please.

Not just one night as some sort of political theater. The procedural filibuster of current practice is too easy. This could be a welcome development in the Senate.

I have a feeling Harry is giving them a taste now of what they're in for come September. The Dems have incrementally ratcheted up the pressure after their last cave-in on the supplemental. I think he should press now rather than wait.

Thank you for the delighful news!

This should have been done years ago.

Go to hell Harry!

Fuck Reid.

I really don't understand.

on this borad is alarming.

grow up

Harry is taking the gloves off! We need to send him lots of encouraging e-mails, phone calls, telegrams etc!

I think Edwards is right, send W legislation that brings them home, make him veto it, and repeat.

Bush already has the money. Everything else is really posturing and gamesmanship.

Bush is setting us up with this whole Petreaus report bullshit. Pete Pace is going to report seperately that everything is fine. Petreaus' negative report will be downplayed. And the beat will go on. That appears to be the plan.

Bush should have never gotten this money.

do our armed forces have to deal with in Iraq?

The least the Senate can do is stay up until they get their work done.

Then hear the repuke Senators whine. :evilgrin:

have our Senators read DU comments on the floor of the Senate...

BTW, we're not the ones filibustering - it's the republicans. Reid is just gonna let them filibuster as long as they want to show that these idiots refuse to do anything about the mess they got us in

This invertebrate just grew a spine!

nt

this for every piece of legislation that comes up. Make the Repukes defend their standing with Bush on everything.

And try not to rubberstamp any more war appropriations, mmkay?

That's what you'd have done if you were serious about ending the war rather than merely posturing for 2008, you collaborator.

:bounce:

Give 'em hell, Harry!

:woohoo:

But then again most of them were too chickenshit to serve in the military so clearly their too chickenshit to do anything about ending this war.

Personally, if I were Reid I'd let them filibuster all senate term - it's only going to make the Republicans look even worse when America realizes they'll do nothing to end the war

Harry showed some guts!

Give 'em Hell!

and it now begins...


Kick for the senate debate...cspan2 now

yourself out - dick cheney.

Is this just another show by the Dems. Are they gonna cave again like they did last time and gave the President a blank check for the war? Or is this some non-binding thing that looks good but doesn't mean shit in end and won't end the war.

http://giveemhellharry.com/obstruction

Republicans are using a filibuster to prevent us from voting on an amendment that could bring the war to a responsible end. They are protecting the President rather than protecting our troops and are denying us an up-or-down vote on the most important issue facing our country.

Plenty of Republicans are talking the right way on Iraq, expressing disapproval for the President's policy.

But speeches won't end the war, votes will.

Tell Republicans: Stop Obstructing. It's time to change course in Iraq.

God Bless them all!
:patriot:

:patriot:

:kick:

very closely on this one. And Dems fight it out with those sleazy Repigs!!

they have to constantly try to keep Americans living in fear? They should change the terror alert chart...lol to Red being "Repukes Escape Distraction". I think they use Al Quida only when it is convienent for them...and right now, they need a distraction!