Three Hots and a Cot

Tuesday night could be interesting in the Senate. That would be the case if the Republicans do not hold true to their demands that an up or down voted be held for their conservative judicial candidates. You haven't forgotten the "nuclear option" Frist and company threatened if Democrats filibustered the Neandertals the Rpublicans liked for judges? Harry Reid says,

"I would like to inform the Republican leadership and all my colleagues that we have no intention of backing down," said Reid this afternoon. "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." Bob Geiger

Rule 22 provides for up to 30 hours of continuous debate if there is an indication of a desire to debate; ie. a refusal of cloture. A "filibuster" probably seemed like a handy way for Republicans to avoid having to actually stand up and say, "the troops can go screw themselves." Reid is having none of it:

"I would like to inform the Republican leadership and all my colleagues that we have no intention of backing down," said Reid this afternoon. "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."

I sincerely hope Harry isn't going to hold his breath, the dead-enders in the Senate made a lot of noise about opposition to the war involving a lack of patriotism and care and comfort of the "enemy." November 2008 is liable to be interesting.