So a bunch of blog posts went up asking Reid to force the Republicans to filibuster instead of just caving on not getting a 60 votes margin. I had been led to believe that movement on this was unlikely, but it's really intriguing what Bob Geiger just reported. Within the Senate caucus, there's genuine frustration with the Republicans on Iraq to the point where they are beginning to engage in aggressive theatrics to get their point across and hold the Republicans accountable.
Forcing his Republican colleagues to put up or shut up on the notion of an up-or-down vote, Senate Majority leader Harry Reid (D-NV) just moments ago announced that he will immediately file a cloture motion on the Reed-Levin troop redeployment bill and, if Republicans follow through with a filibuster, will place the Senate in a prolonged all-night session Tuesday to force a true continuation of debate.
"Now, Republicans are using a filibuster to block us from even voting on an amendment that could bring the war to a responsible end," said Reid. "They are protecting the President rather than protecting our troops. They are denying us an up or down - yes or no - vote on the most important issue our country faces."
Apparently we're not the only ones frustrated that Republicans are blocking an end to the occupation. This doesn't quite go far enough, but it's fascinating. I wonder how much this is an independent move by a frustrated Reid, and how much it reflects what Senator Kent Conrad said earlier, which is that this is a developing consensus within the caucus.
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