Dem tactics in the Senate re the War in Iraq

I actually think what they're doing is pretty smart. They're clearly just going to keep talking about the war and how obstructionist repukes are being until they wear them down. And I think it will work. In a way, the longer the 'pukes hold out and obstruct, the better for the dems. Yes, they'll probably lose the vote for Cloture today (OK, almost certainly lose it), but they'll peel off a few votes from the repukes, and they'll bring it up again and again, until the repukes cave on a vote.

I'd take it a step further also.

They knew the Republics would block cloture in the Senate so they start a IWR there first. Next the House emphasizes the stalemate in the Senate which the Republics are causing and come to the rescue with their own IWR.

Now the Senate Republic are boxed into a corner. Many of their allies in the House have already voted for the IWR making further blockage in the Senate all the more damning.

Smart tactics by the Dems for a change, and they even beat the Friday evening news deadlines keeping this on the front pages and on the Sunday talking head shows.

playing it smart.

The are playing it smart and doing the right things. I know it's hard to be a bit more patient, but Reid and Pelosi are chipping away at Busha and the R's piece by piece. It's not simple given the congressional rules, but we are getting there. And BINDING measures are coming, make no mistake. Plus there have now been REAL debates on the war and MUCH MUCH more oversight in the congressional committees.
We have only just taken power. We need time and we need to do it smart.
Give Reid and Pelosi credit.

with the blabbling about how the vote not to vote wasn't really a vote against the resolution...

Dems should also call the republics on the framing of how the non-binding resolution doesn't mean anything..

just say fine if the non-binding resolution is useless - let's make it a binding one

the Senate in session on Saturday as I know that our esteemed Republican Senators are having a bit of trouble with just having to be there. Ya, know I work every Saturday and have for the last 38 years, I think that they can as well...

It is clear that the Publicans want to change the subject to anything besides Iraq. In that respect things just ain't working out for them.

Virtually all the Senate dems have been doing over the couple of weeks is talking on the floor about Iraq. I think it's unnerving the 'pukes. Yesterday I heard Bernie and Durbin and Stabenow. They were all great. The pukes are losing this one, despite Senate rules. They make it worse for themselves the longer they obstruct a vote.

Whining about when their measures will come up for a vote and acting surprised they don't control the agenda any more. Har de har, how's it feel?

I think Reid gave the Repugs a "face saving" out to be out of town during the vote....

Time will tell...

The game for control of the next Senate is what's gonna play out here. There are at least 5 vulnerable Repugnicans that know how damaging Iraq has been to the political careers of their fellow Repugnicans and want to avoid any and all Iraq votes unless its framed into one of those "and when did you stop beating your wife" resolutions. If anything, they'd love to avoid Iraq altogether. Yep...they'd rather sell shoes.

Reid may not win this round, but he will in the future as the war's popularity is not going to improve and those who vote to continue this misadventure will be held accountable. While Liebermann can rant in the corner...secure he's bitten the bullet...that's not the same for a Gordon Smith or Normie Coleman or even Senator in red states. People are watching...that's what these resolutions are doing...and each Senator will be called upon to voice their vote. No electric voting here...they must specifically "aye" or "nay" on this war and being boooooosh enablers. Let's see how many of these votes they can endure.

I agree completely that this is a battle for control of the Senate. And I think Reid is playing it cleverly.

until the Dems win.