Harry Reid's all nighter session ..... what do you think?

Harry's keeping them in session. Maybe we'll see a latter day Mr. Smith performance. Maybe not.

But this brings it down to a simple majority vote whether or not a timeline gets into the Levin Reed bill. The Republics want it both ways and so even the Bush boy's strongest 'critics' (hahahahahahaha) do not want a timeline. They've been holding back the Dems waaaaaay better than the Dems ever held them back.

So now Leader Harry's trying a new tactic, last seen under the leadership of Tom Daschle.

Frankly, I don't see much in the way of other options and applaud Harry for doing this. But that's just me, who tends to loyalty to leaders perhaps longer than I ought to.

What do you think?

But #4 was tempting....

Keep it going until they vote...

On edit: apparently there is a provision in Rule 22 that allows UP TO 30 hours of continuous debate on this issue...so it is limited by law, apparently.

It has been around since dirt. Used to be used frequently; the "cloture" concept was introduced to save everyone time - but cloture is voting to prohibit endless "debate." Cloture is the "polite" way to deal with a minority that does not like a bill. When the threat of filibuster is used constantly, for every frigging bill that is introduced. its time to stop being polite. You have a kid that throws tantrums? Eventually you have to let them lie on the floor and kick their feet and scream until they are exhausted - and still not give them what they want. The threat of a tantrum suddenly becomes much less viable.

The deal is, that by only voting on cloture and never bringing the bills to a vote, you don't have a voting record to rub their noses in. Put people on the record on something more than procedural votes!

..... no argument from me. You've explained it clearly and well.

My use of 'new' was in reference to Leader Harry, actually, and not the tactic.

It will allow Americans, the majority of whom are fed up with Iraq, to know what their elected representatives are doing. Smart Dems will make videos of the filibuster to use in ads against the repuke Senators.

Where else in the world can you do a completely shit job for what seems like forever, and when you finally do something... anything... that even vaguely resembles your job, people applaud you, call you, and throw you a virtual Mardi Gras.

Gawd... gotta love this country!

He's doing his job, peeps. Even worse, he's doing it ala Tom Daschle. Keep your dignity, and savethose phone calls for a day when he actually succeeds at something.

TC

the "this could do it" kind of dissuades voting for #2.

I am in favor of doing this - it's about damned time - but don't think it will "do it"
but the qualifier on #1 is too negative

Its and occupation, as Jim Webb pointed out so clearly with Gomer Grahamn yesterday on Russert!