Well, We Know That Isn’t True
The Associated Press is at it again:
Republicans block Senate debate on Iraq
WASHINGTON - Republicans blocked a full-fledged Senate debate over Iraq on Monday, but Democrats vowed they still would find a way to force President Bush to change course in a war that has claimed the lives of more than 3,000 U.S. troops.
"We must heed the results of the November elections and the wishes of the American people," said Majority Leader Harry Reid.
Reid, D-Nev., spoke moments before a vote that sidetracked a nonbinding measure expressing disagreement with Bush's plan to deploy an additional 21,500 troops to Iraq.
The vote was 49-47, or 11 short of the 60 needed to go ahead with debate, and left the fate of the measure uncertain.
The fact of the matter is that the vote did not sidetrack debate or anything else. It was a cloture vote. Debate can continue until the next election. What won't happen is a vote on the the non-binding resolution. Reid is spinning it, but it was his refusal to allow alternate measures to be considered that forced the vote. I'll have to see the actual vote report, but it looks like the Republicans held firm just about across the board on this one. Good for them.
And Harry, the election results did not give you a mandate to lose a war. Keep that one up at your own risk.
UPDATE: I know this is a bit arcane for some folks, so here is an explanation of what, exactly, cloture is. In effect, what happened today is the opposite of cutting off debate. By failing the cloture vote, debate (properly, a filibuster (or extension) of the debate) can't be cut off and the measure brought to an actual vote.
UPDATE: Ed Morrisey also sees the vote for what it was, as opposed to the spin. He also has a great quote from Joe Lieberman:
For the Senate to take up a symbolic vote of no confidence on the eve of a decisive battle is unprecedented, but it is not inconsequential. It is an act which, I fear, will discourage our troops, hearten our enemies, and showcase our disunity. And that is why I will vote against cloture.
If you believe that General Petraeus and his new strategy have a reasonable chance of success in Iraq, then you should resolve to support him and his troops through the difficult days ahead. On the other hand, if you believe that this new strategy is flawed or that our cause is hopeless in Iraq, then you should vote to stop it. Vote to cut off funds. Vote for a binding timeline for American withdrawal. If that is where your convictions lie, then have the courage of your convictions to accept the consequences of your convictions. That would be a resolution.
The non-binding measure before us, by contrast, is an accumulation of ambiguities and inconsistencies. It is at once for the war but also against the war. It pledges its support to the troops in the field but also washes its hands of what they are doing. It approves more troops for Anbar but not for Baghdad.
We cannot have it both ways. We cannot vote full confidence in General Petraeus, but no confidence in his strategy. We cannot say that the troops have our full support, but disavow their mission on the eve of battle. This is what happens when you try to wage war by committee. That is why the Constitution gave that authority to the President as Commander in Chief. (Emphasis added - not that it should have been needed.)
Odd thing. I have come to respect Joe Lieberman in recent years after thoroughly disliking him in the 2000 election. My son, who was a McCain fan in 2000 now detests him. Funny how that works. The Republicans did the right thing by blocking the vote - not the debate, the vote.
UPDATE: McQ at QandO also takes exception to the media distortions of this vote. Debate was not cut off and can continue as long as the politicians want. The vote was to invoke cloture and cut debate off to bring the bad political theater to a vote. He's got a nice example of Reid-speak where he expalins the exact opposite as he did about this vote when he was in the minority.
Other Links to this Post
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Flopping Aces — February 5, 2007 @ 9:24 pm
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Gun Toting Liberal â„¢ » Blog Archive » After all politicking and bickering is over, nearly ALL Senate Republicans vote FOR troop surge into Iraq. — February 6, 2007 @ 2:54 am
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Blue Crab Boulevard » Cloture Vote Fails — February 17, 2007 @ 1:36 pm
