Things are beginning to stir in Congress. Carl Hulse and Jim Rutenberg report in the New York Times that as many as a dozen Republican Senators may ultimately support a non-binding resolution opposing the build-up of 21,500 troops. That would be a filibuster proof number (even without Lieberman).
“If they have the language right, I will be right there,” said Senator Ben Nelson, Democrat of Nebraska.
The resolution’s language is currently being negotiated by Hagel, Biden, and Levin. The White House almost seems resigned to losing this vote, but they have their eye on the real prize.
White House officials have dismissed Mr. Hagel as an established critic of the war who is now seeking to stake out antiwar ground in the nascent Republican primary fight for president.
Still, the officials said in interviews that while they believed any substantial Republican support for the resolution would be a symbolic blow, they were far more concerned about threats from Congressional Democrats to take aim at spending on the president’s new plan. Officials say that they will rely upon Mr. McConnell to help head off any such move.
We do not yet have 60 (or possibly even 50) votes to cut off funding. But things are starting to move fast.
I hope the Cowboy is up for a little rodeo!
This news sounds hopeful. I am impressed that the dems seem to be moving rapidly on this issue. Bravo. Ain’t it great to have majority standing?
the real prize?
resigned to losing their fake surge push?
im telling you they never planned to surge….besides the fact that its impossible…it gives them the opportunity to say the dems lost iraq and blame the dems for any terror attacks on american soil in the near pre election future….my proof of this is mccain…why is he going along with a surge plan? he will be perfectly positioned after the next attack to say “see i told you we should fight them over there instead of fighting them here.” thats the olny possible reason he could have with going along with this hairbrained scheme.
we are all being played.
… there is nothing to fillibuster.
I don’t give a damn about “expressing the sense” of the House or Senate! It means and does nothing.
Sen. Kennedy and Rep. Markey have resolutions pending that “expressly prohibit” funding for the escalation.
Anything else is worse then meaningless. “Expressing the sense” allows these folks to get off the hook without having to actually take action to stop Bush’s damn escalation!
Screw that. We gave Democrats the majority of both houses to stop Bush and change direction in our foreign policy. Talk doesn’t change crap.