3 more US troops died during the course of the all-night session. How many more need to die before Congress and our esteemed president wake up??!

From watching the news, it appears there are maybe 6 or 8 congress persons who have an opinion about anything. What are the rest of them doing or thinking. It's time for some new faces and opinions.

Richard, Orlando said
"Whatever happened to giving the Iraq Study Group recommendations a chance, considering it was released from a bipartisan commission before the surge?? Or is that going to be your Plan B (10-12 months later)? How many more soldiers will be killed or injured while you and the rest of the Republicans decide to make up their minds?

No one is advocating a precipitous withdrawal. We absolutely cannot be as irresponsible getting out of Iraq as Bush was getting into it. Unfortunately, we will be involved in the Middle East security efforts for some time. Let’s just hope it is done with more intelligence than what we have seen these past six years."

It seems that it is YOU that can't seem to make up your mind either. You advocate withdraw at first, then you don't advocate "precipitous withdrawal". Which is it? How many more soldiers will be killed or injured while YOU decide to make up your mind? The Dems want withdrawal before giving the troop surge a change. Are they afraid it might work?

I don’t want a premature withdrawal, so lets give the surge a chance. We are there now, let’s move forward, find a way to stabilize and leave. So u and I are in agreement on your 2nd paragraph. I think…

BTW: When the Dems use the same tactics of filibustering/blocking, it’s called Democracy. Dems say:“Our voices will be heard”. When Republicans do the same, it is called obstructionism. Gotta love it!!

These yahoos stay up all night talking, and accomplish nothing but insuring that some pizza delivery boy gets a good tip.
Oh well, they haven't, and can't, accomplish anything else, so they might as well spend their time doing something–even if its wrong.

Mike, HI

You are absolutely right that millions of Americans think we should not be paying in lives and dollars to police Iraq. That fact is evident by the daily polls that are taken to further drive the point home. I stand by my statement that what the majority believes is not always the best course for this country.

I may not be the smartest guy in the world, but even I can comprehend the disaster that would occur should we pull out of Iraq. The attitude of the nations of the world would be "look at those Americans, they never finish what they start, when things get tough, they tuck their tail between their legs and run." It would be years before our allies would trust us again. Right now they may not like us much, but one thing we do have from them is their respect. Maybe not publicly, because "America bashing" has become the popular thing to do, even for some Americans.

I say we finish what we started. Maybe with a slight change of course. Loosen the rules of engagement. Untie the hands of our troops and let these great warriors do what we've trained them to do….fight. If we take the "let politics be damned" approach to fighting Al Qaeda then we could wipe them out. But you see, that's what it would take, for Americans to have the stomach for us to kill all of the Al Qaeda militants we encounter. Sadly, I believe that will never happen as our nation believes we can fight a "sanatized war" where no one dies. As long as that belief permeates our society, and our government, then our greatest battle is with ourselves.

This is political showboating at it's best, the senate cannot get anything done with proper rest why do they think they can pull an all nighter and get something done in 7 hours or so. I'll bet they all sleep in tomorrow when they should be at work, this is just insulting to me.

Our troops are being killed in Iraq because of a greedy oil grab by Bush and Cheney. Only when you right wing fools come to understand there depth of deception will you understand what traitors Bush and Cheney actually are. You cannot trade our troops lives for oil and defense profits, if you wanted to get the enemy's that are responsible for the 9/11 attacks you need to look to Afghanistan and Pakistan as well as Saudi Arabia where the Bush family friends reside. Get you heads out of your butts and see the truth!

Senator Lieberman is really out of touch.

After watching the debate (so far). I am convinced I will never vote for a Republican again - no facts and just political stunts. And in the meantime greeat Americans are dying and being wounded.

Dear Jon:
The problems and divisions between these groups in what is called Iraq today started over 5,000 years ago… so stupid of the president, the vise and the rest of the cronies’ that they could just go in and give them democracy. Understand that maybe they do not want our freedoms and civil rights… (what's left of them)

Let’s give them credit and let the Iraqis stand on their own…. I agree that it could be disastrous but that's what George W said, he also said that we will be greeted as liberators and saviors. Maybe he will be wrong again. Maybe a civil war it’s inevitable. We had ours…

We have been there for a long 5 years… our military is exhausted… the equipment is in need of replacement… bring the troops home and give the Iraqis time and space to put their country back together. It's not the fist time….

If those who really believe that the stakes are so high, that the US has no option but to stay in Iraq, I have to ask; if that's really true, why hasn't the President and the Administration, and the entire Congress, ask the American people that we must all make the same kind of sacrifices which were made during World War II? If Iraq is truly a life or death matter for the American people, why isn't the entire country 'moblized?' Why hasn't a 'civil defense corps' been established? Why aren't manufacturing companies, that make traditional civilian products, switched to focus on producing strictly 'military material?' Why hasn't the 'draft' been imposed, instead of keeping an all volunteer armed force? Why aren't there advertisements in magazines, etc., to buy 'war bonds?' The list could go on and on and on….

But the reality of the mood of the country, is nowhere close to the mood of the country after Dec. 7, 1941. Currently, the national emphasis of the American people is directed towards 'Dancing with the Stars,' or the new 'I-phone,' or 'American Idol,' etc., so what does or should that tell anybody? It tells me that 'Bush and Gang,' are desperately trying to save some kind of legacy for him in the history books, but that Iraq itself, plays at best "second fiddle" to the national security of the United States.

Pixie,

You cite polls from Iraqis suggesting we're no longer needed - as though that is reason enough. THANKFULLY there are military leaders working with our good men and women serving that are able to do more insightful analysis into the best interests of a newly formed government than reading a hap-hazard "poll of the iraqi people". Hey - wasn't it these same people that (based on Sadam's boasts) 100% voted for him ???

Also, Pixie, "fighting for freedoms and civil rights" that you mocked RDBTWN about… umm… he was refering to the freedoms and civil rights of the Iraqi people - not Americans. He was suggesting Iraqis - as much as Americans - deserve the same liberties of life.

JAF:

"There is no such thing as stopping this war. This war will continue even if the US pulls out troops."

Then why should we stay in? If we can't stop this war, why should we continue paying for it? We're losing American lives, and we're spending way over our limits in an effort to keep another country's streets safe.

Anyone remember what happened to the French after they bankrupted themselves over the American Revolution?

Mischka said, "The productive thing would be to give the troop surge a chance."

Whatever happened to giving the Iraq Study Group recommendations a chance, considering it was released from a bipartisan commission before the surge?? Or is that going to be your Plan B (10-12 months later)? How many more soldiers will be killed or injured while you and the rest of the Republicans decide to make up their minds?

No one is advocating a precipitous withdrawal. We absolutely cannot be as irresponsible getting out of Iraq as Bush was getting into it. Unfortunately, we will be involved in the Middle East security efforts for some time. Let's just hope it is done with more intelligence than what we have seen these past six years.

Excuse me, but there is a democratically elected government in Iraq. A democratic government voted in by more than 80% of Iraqi’s, much better than the US.

So why are the Senate Democrats turning their backs on this young democracy battling for its continued existance against our sworn enemies? Aren’t liberty and freedom civil rights worth fighting for??

Hey Rdbtwn,

Since Iraq is all democratic and sovereign now, should we continue to stay there against their own wishes?

http://www.worldpublicopinion.org/pipa/articles/home_page/250.php?nid=&id=&pnt=250&lb=hmpg1

over 70% of Iraqis want the US to withdraw, a majority of 60% support attacks on US led troops, hell even Iraq's own PM said that US can "leave anytime".

http://www.suntimes.com/news/world/469592,CST-NWS-iraq16.article

So with this in mind, would you advocate occupying a democratic nation against the will of its people? And just who are our "sworn enemies"?? Keep in mind that the Bush administration is arming insurgent forces to "fight against al'queda" or so they think. Aren't they are enemies too? Seems like you are confused.

And agree - those of you who think we are over there "fighting for freedom" would make me LOL if it wasn't so depressing. I must have been asleep when Iraq tried to invade and take over the USA and destroy our freedoms.

Those who oppose waging war without declaration point to Article I of the Constitution, which reads The Congress shall have the power to declare war.
Its just the was it is!!
I hold all those who voted for it responsable.
Obama was not in Congress that is true.

"Wow, it seems that most of the regular conservative bloggers have all bought into the “political theatre” phrase. Nothing unusual, considering that if people actually put some serious thought into issues and saw more than one side of things, they probably wouldn’t be conservatives."

Ditto for democrats!!

Wow, it seems that most of the regular conservative bloggers have all bought into the "political theatre" phrase. Nothing unusual, considering that if people actually put some serious thought into issues and saw more than one side of things, they probably wouldn't be conservatives.

Oh, by the way…we're not "fighting for freedom" in Iraq, so you can forget that patriotic nonsense. Don't be so naive.

There is no such thing as stopping this war. This war will continue even if the US pulls out troops.

It is SIMPLY MORALLY WRONG to pull out US troops in a way that leads to greater problems for the Iraqis.

Support Iraqi children. Don't pull out the troops!

Our troops are dying in Iraq and the Senate Democrats are playing political theater this week? How shameless of them!!

Bill, Charleston:
"Ideological differences have come to be more important than our brave soldiers who fight to keep us safe and our country free. I suggest that all who decry what is happening, remember that we are all Americans first, Democrats and Republicans second. Let’s all look at what is best for our country, not our party."

And what some believe truly would be best for the country is to pull out as soon as possible. It's not like the millions of Americans who want us out are just being partisan or blind to reality. Many of us think we should not be paying, in both lives and dollars, to police the entire country of Iraq.

For those saying a pullout would be detrimental in the long-term: how do you know? Perhaps Iraq will be set straight. Yes, I'm sure there will be chaos (the same kind of chaos we see there today), and I'm sure some political or ethnic groups will be persecuted (the first being al-Qaeda). These conditions are already set in Iraq, and they will not be magically cleared up by September, or next year, or 2010. We don't know what will happen to the country after the majority of US forces leave, except that we will be saving ourselves a lot of lives and billions of dollars.

Political Theater? You Republicans are funny. You say that the Dems are a do-nothing party, yet everytime Sen. Reid and the Dems try to do something, Mitch McConnell and the Republicans block it! The Republicans are a DO NOTHING PARTY for blocking every damn thing on the Senate Floor. It will come back to bite each and every one of them come November of '08 though. Ask the congress of '06.

And i think it's hilirious that the Republicans are trying to protect the SAME PRESIDENT that cost them a majority in both houses of Congress, AND will cost them the WHITE HOUSE in 08. That's showing your appreciation huh?

Excuse me, but there is a democratically elected government in Iraq. A democratic government voted in by more than 80% of Iraqi's, much better than the US.

So why are the Senate Democrats turning their backs on this young democracy battling for its continued existance against our sworn enemies? Aren't liberty and freedom civil rights worth fighting for??

Our brave volunteers are being killed by an ever emboldened enemy while the Senate Democrats employ a bit of political theater this week.

Way to go Harry..

Seriously, even though Clinton may have had the same intel as Bush, at least he was more level headed than to say lets INVADE IRAQ with no clear plan for what happens after we topple the government. Dictatorships are hard to change into democracies because it takes time and effort, it's not something that occurs in 3 years because we have 100,000 troops occupying a country. It took the US a few decades before the democracy actaully began working.

And, for all of you that think we should support this war, I really do wish that Congress had passed the Draft Bill proposed by the Democrats. Then maybe you and your fellow GOP congressment would be more hesitant to go looking for war. Actually, even with the Draft reinstated, the GOP prob would have still went to war. They would have just used all their money and influence to make sure their children got stationed in the US (kind of like George W. Bush). But then maybe some of you people would have been more hesitant to go to war because then you would know you'd have no choice but to serve overseas.

Instead of this horrible mistake, we should be in Afghanistan getting rid of the remnants of the Taliban and Al-Qaeda. Maybe hunting down Bin Laden? It's been what, like 6 years now, and we still have no clue where he is. Instead, all we can do it offer more and more money hoping someone else will turn him in for us.

Maybe instead of invading a country that "might" have had WMD's and trying to liberate "oppressed" people, we should be actually getting rid of the real human attrocities in the world, such as Darfur? Where children are handed guns and told to go shoot people and people are mutilated with machettes. But then again, they don't have anything valuable to us like oil so of course why would we even bother?

To Brian, Danville Ill.

I don't know where you got your information that "For decades veterans of the Vietnam and Korean “wars” were not permitted to join the VFW, because they didn’t fight in a “declared war”.

I am a Vietnam Vet. and I joined the VFW in 1968, several years before the Vietnam conflict ended. You obviously pull your facts out of the same place as all the other liberals.

Calling this "Political Theatre" is not accurate.

This is actually how The Senate is supposed to act in the face of a Filibuster.

The Filibuster was Constitutionally designed to allow the voice of a minority party to hold open debate to speak.

It was not designed to stop legislation when the majority of the public want it to happen.

That is simple Democracy and Republicans are precisely obstructionist on important compromise legislation of all sorts.

Sadly, I think Andy of Albany, NY is right about our obligations in Iraq. We can and should blame the President and Congress, but those American citizens who had war fever in March 2003 should look in the mirror and take their share of the blame. There are those who remember Vietnam and Watergate. What excuse do they have for their naivety? There were people who tried to warn the American majority of the stupidity of this pre-emptive war with Iraq, but we were called traitors, remember? We have destabilized the Iraqi government, made it unsafe to walk the streets, and have destroyed their homes, businesses, and infrastructure. Just who do you think is morally bound to fix the mess we made? We made our beds. Now we have to sleep in them.

We lost this war from the get go…It was mismanaged and still is… The truth is present administration has only done one thing right:
Completely mishandle everything… Katrina, education, economy ect…

"bring U.S. combat troops out of Iraq" but deploy them to Afghanistan and the southern border of the United States so we can accomplish those missions too.

Read real carefully what Cohen is saying here and try to also remember the litany of U.N. Resolutions that Saddam was outright not abiding by and try to be unbiased and be put in Bushes shoes, "What if I do nothing like Clinton, and he does have these WMD's like EVERYONE says he does".

"Iraq made commitments after the Gulf War to completely dismantle all weapons of mass destruction, and unfortunately, Iraq has not lived up to its agreement." — Barbara Boxer, November 8, 2002

"There's no question that Saddam Hussein is a threat… Yes, he has chemical and biological weapons. He's had those for a long time. But the United States right now is on a very much different defensive posture than we were before September 11th of 2001… He is, as far as we know, actively pursuing nuclear capabilities, though he doesn't have nuclear warheads yet. If he were to acquire nuclear weapons, I think our friends in the region would face greatly increased risks as would we." — Wesley Clark on September 26, 2002

"What is at stake is how to answer the potential threat Iraq represents with the risk of proliferation of WMD. Baghdad's regime did use such weapons in the past. Today, a number of evidences may lead to think that, over the past four years, in the absence of international inspectors, this country has continued armament programs." — Jacques Chirac, October 16, 2002

"I am absolutely convinced that there are weapons…I saw evidence back in 1998 when we would see the inspectors being barred from gaining entry into a warehouse for three hours with trucks rolling up and then moving those trucks out." — Clinton's Secretary of Defense William Cohen in April of 2003

You would hope that the Congress could make better use of the taxpayers time addressing concerns of the American People that they could impact. The President has the power to conduct the war, if the Dems want to cut off funding, then they should do it. THis theater is good for the Blogs and CNN, but is the reason for the low regard for the current Congress.

The President and the Republican-controlled Congress started this war with Iraq based on false intelligence data. Democrats voted for a resolution to go to war after then inspectors finished their search for WMD. Bush couldn't wait though. If we had stayed the course in Afghanistan and hunted down Bin Laden and continued hunting for Al Qaeda, we wouldn't be in this predicament. The Taliban and Al Qaeda wouldn't be rebuilding in mass numbers like they are, they wouldn't be in Iraq, the world wouldn't be pissed off at us, we would have money and power to eliminate the evil doers. Too bad for us. Let them come here. I'm sure every American I know will be willing to kick butt like they were after 9/11. Don't forget, Congress represents the people, they can either fight for what we want or we'll eliminate them, too.

Whoever said the Democrats don't want to end the war is spot on. That became apparent when they bowed to Bush like a bunch of lapdogs before Memorial Day.

As each day passes and the number of casualties grows, it is inevitable that there is no "winning" this war - especially since the administration can't even define what "winning" is. I'd be surprised if anyone can even give a cohesive statement explaining what, exactly, the purpose of all of this is.

This war is an utter embarrassment - and one so costly that it will haunt generations to come. No amount of "political theater" can save it.

Let's get this straight. We are not in an "official" war with IRAQ. We are SUPPOSED to be in a war with terrorism remember? That was the deal Congress made. Congress also gave temporary powers to the President to act on the basis that IRAQ had weapons of mass destruction. REMEMBER??? You people have been so caught up with this puppet theater you call politics, you forgot the bigger picture. Bush promised us that he would fight Al Qaeda, capture Bin Laden, and fight terror worldwide. Instead, he abused his power of Congress to fight IRAQ (we STILL have not found any Weapons of Mass Destruction), and capture Sadaam Hussein (who threatened Bush's daddy). So, let's look at the results based on recent news: IRAQ is still a huge mess, and history will blame the White House AND Congress for being corrupt and irresponsible. As a smoke screen, the government is using scare tactics to keep the American people in constant fear. And look at Al Qaeda now, (remember, the ones Bush is supposed to go after?) they're at their strongest level since pre 9/11. So, really……what progress have we made after spending billions and billions of our taxpayer money???????

It doesn't matter who we elect for office…….they are all pathetic, corrupt, liars stealing our tax money and shoveling crap down our throats as a daily diet. WAKE UP AMERICA!

"Recognizing they almost certainly won't have the votes to pass an amendment…"

Please correct your report. They do have the votes to pass the amendment, but they do not have the votes to stop a procedural hurdle presented by the minority.

Staying up all night? Wow! Now that's what I call leadership. When you can't put your convictions into action, you are left to resort to "political theatre". Our troops deserve better. So do the 3,000+ Americans who lost their life on 9/11.

One more thing…
I do hold Congress responsible for this war as equally as the President. Here is why.

The truth is that the CIA intelligence report was given to every member of Congress before the vote to authorize the President to go to war in Iraq. It was NEVER READ by the majority of Congress. Yes even Hilary admitted to not reading it. The media won’t report that. Google that tid bit of fact. That intelligence report stated that there was a remote possibility that there may NOT be any WMDs in Iraq to date!! So to play devil’s advocate and say, the President lied, but complicit with that is that Congress did not do it’s job in making sure that the President’s case to go to war, was valid. Meaning read the reports.

The low approval rating IS mostly directed at the Dems because they are the majority. They promised to bring home the troops if they got power of Congress and they did not do it!! The Immigration debacle was another factor, I could go on and on. The fact is, they are not doing the job they promised the American people. Plain and simple. It is not because “Republicans are blocking good legislature”.

Now can we just move forward, and try to leave Iraq in a stable condition? For me it is just riduculous to keep rehashing how we ended up there in the first place. The productive thing would be to give the troop surge a chance. But I believe the Dems don’t want to do that for fear it just might work. After all if the troop surge does work, there goes their power.

oh by the way… The Republicans held not only the Whitehouse but the senate and the house when the war was authorized…. I see Mr. Glenn you have selective memory… must be a republican trade.

Blame who ever you would like to blame, the fact remains that there is a very crucial war going on right now. Every time I think about the war in Iraq, it saddens me because I wish it had never started. However, the war is a reality. Anyone who believes a U.S. pullout would solve our problems now is thinking purely in the short term. That is the nature of public opinion- short sighted and emotional. Unfortunately we expect instant gratification, and the majority of us do not have the patients or the stomach to see this war through to the end. All I suggest is that we examine the consequences of failure in Iraq. Think globally.

For all those who keep saying this is Bush's war and that he lied to you, I say, "Quit lying to yourselves!" There is no evidence that Bush or anyone else doctored the evidence presented leading up to the war. It was documented from not only US sources, but also from British, French, and German intelligence agencies. If you haven't paid attention, two of those countries actually opposed us going into Iraq. Yet, the evidence was the same. If any lies have been told, the President, the Vice President, and all the members of the National Security Council would have been impeached by now. We would also need to hold accountable the UN, the Atomic Energy Commission, the Commission on Biological Weapons, President Clinton (he initiated the call for regime change), and the heads of every major intelligence agency in this country. The Iraq war was a monumental mistake, but it was mistake made by all. (If you remember, people may have challenged the reasoning behind going to war, but no challenged that Iraq did not have some form of WMD.) To try and vilify one individual as the devil who started it or lied about it is so off base that it simply ignores reality. Stop using the Iraq war as a means of attacking Bush, and let’s get behind our troops so this blunder does not cost both American and Iraqi lives and interests for generations to come. Political pageantry and allowing politics to cloud what is right for the security of this country would also be a monumental mistake, which may, in the long run, result in the sacrifice of even more American lives than this tragic war.

Yes Glenn,
But as you remember the lies provided by the administration is what got congress on board. You may try to blame the Democrats and me if you like, but at the end it's a Bush war under false pretenses and by default your war sir. YES this war belongs to people that put this man in the Whitehouse and keep supporting him along with his moronic policies. The blood is in his hands and all his cronies including you sir… the blood of our soldiers, the innocent children and everybody in harms way. How can you sleep at night? WAKE UP MAN!!!

i want to know if the cots they have to sleep on are like the ones are wonderful soldeirs sleep on??probly not, only the best for the over paid, blow hards

Yes, let’s focus on the “they lied diatribe…”, when even former President Clinton himself came out and said he believed there were WDMs in the Iraq based on the intelligence he had while in office. Let’s rehash history because and because that is all you have to complain about. The sad truth is Congress did give the President the authority to go to war based on the same faulty intelligence that was available during the Clinton presidency, to the British, the Russians and the Germans. So cut the crap about “they lied…”

Noah, I would love to see the facts on that “British Intelligence Agency report” supporting your “they lied…” theory. Please provide that evidence. If u made that up, now who is the liar?!

Glenn, you say there is no proof. Perhaps we could have better insight into the inner workings of the administration if they hadn't stonewalled EVERY SINGLE investigation into allegations of wrong doing. Anytime Crongress tries to peek inside the bubble that surrounds this admin. Bush cries "executive privilege!!" and it gets put on the back burner.

As for the filibuster - BRAVO Sen. Reid! If the Republicans want to obstruct passage of legislation that is in line with what the American People want, let them filibuster the hard way so people can know exactly what it is that Republicans are holding up in congress…like the bill that would have given our troops more rest time at home between re-deployments. Let America see how the Republicans work in Bush's best interest, not the American people's!

Another laugher on the hill. For so many years now, America really has been the laughing stock of the World and it has nothing to do with the President, Ron, the Georges or Bill!

This falls short of even being symbolic. How many of these Senators will actually even be present at any given time during this "All-Nighter"

It's time to get in the game boys and girls. You want to bring the troops home!? Close your mouths, untie their hands, and let them finish their mission giving them unconditional support.

After all the backdoor tactics used by this administration, it is refreshing to see that the Democrats will fight fire with fire.

Terrorist all over the world are cheering this pitiful Congress' continued attempts to muzzle freedom and the people fighting for it.

Whan all these GOP Senators come out against our course in Iraq it is important that the American people know that they don't really mean it!

It's not like these GOP Senators have taken a bunch of smart pills and finally realized that the whole Iraq war is the biggest military disaster in our history. If that was the case this bill would pass no problem.

When this war ends they want to make sure that it is obvious to the American public that they ended the war (not thh Democrats). Not because they believe it's the right thing to do, but because it's the only way they can ever win an election again. Playing politics with the lives of our troops is nothing new for the GOP though.

Above, Glenn said: "No wonder that only 23% support this congress. At 32% approval rating Bush is the most popular elected official in Washington."

I didn't know Congress was an "official."

Reality check — if you look at the approval ratings for each district's representative, they all come back positive. Only collectively do the results show such a low number.

It's easy to see why. Republicans aren't happy that Democrats took away their control of Congress; Democrats are tired of the Republicans being obstructionist ludites; Independents are sick of Congress [fill in the blank]. Meanwhile, troop are dying, America is the only industrialize country to NOT have health care, and the level of employment is way, way down. It's no wonder the approval ratings are in the toilet.

The congress that voted for the war was voted out by the American public. They voted in a new congress to stop the war. That is exactly what the Dems are doing. If the Rep. leftovers act like their heads are stuck in the ground, they will be voted out in the next election.

Glenn, B'ham, al:

Obama did not vote against the war - he wasn't in the Senate yet. He made a speech against it, but that's a lot different from voting.

by the way before you all keep screaming about "obama voted against the war" you should note that obama wasn't part of congress when the vote went up. He wasn't in congress till 2004 so it's very easy for him to say "I didn't vote for the war" because he wasn't ther eint he first place.

People seem to forget that Sadam Had a chasnce to avoid the wat and he chose not to. All he had to do was show that he had no weapons of mass destruction.

I find it hard to beleive that so many people fail to see the repercussions of pulling out of an unstable situation like the one in Iraq. Yes, we started the war, and yes, there seems to be no evidence, now, of WMDs, but to simply hand the destabilized country over with a handshake and a "Good Luck!" would be extremely irresponsible. Not only would it allow sectarian violence to completely rule the day, it would also give the enemies of America the impression that we do not start what we finish, and will back down when things get too tough. This would invite more attacks against us on our own soil, and lose us the confidence of any other nation with whom we are allied. I keep hearing that it is the "will of the people" to pull out of Iraq, which is fine, but we must keep in mind that the average person does not have all the available intelligence, nor do they consider the far reaching consequences of the actions they request.

just another way the dems are playing politics with the troops lives. lets give them what they need to finish this. rather then kepe voting against them. Were making progress in iraq but we would make the progress much faster if the country stood united against terrorism. then only reason they keep going (the terrorists) is because the are gaining support. If the country said no matter what we are going to continue this battle till we win and we did it as a whole then the terrorists would lose steam and give up and this whole thing would end. But as long as there are cowards out there trying to pull the troops out before the job is done we can't win.

" The President cannot declare war. Only Congress can. THEY voted to go to war."

While this is true, Congress did not simply vote to go to war. They voted that the President could go to war IF all attempts at diplomacy failed. Silly them, they actually believed he'd try to find a diplomatic solution before storming into Iraq.

Harry, why don't you and the others just declare the War over. Since the the President and Generals are incompetant, get yourselves over to Iraq and personally lead the retreat for those poor soldiers. Let Mertha hold out the white flag. The Marines will personally be there to greet ya'll.
Kum ba ya…

I love how all the Democrats are mad about using the filibuster. They used in routinely and even on judges which hadn't been done in the past. As for this Bush lied. Go back and read all the statements from the Clinton adminstration about Iraq and WMD's. Bush wasn't president in the 90's. Even after we invaded, Clinton came out and said I know they have WMD's because they had them when I left office. Now the Democrats all seem to have selective amnesia. If anything, the Democrats lied and gave Bush false info to get him to go to war.

Good Job Dems!! At least if the republicans want to continue to support the failed policies of the Bush administration and want to continue down a path that leads nowhere, the American people will see them for what they really are. They are no good, lying, cheating, hypocritical corporate puppets. They do not have the well being of the troops or the American people in the best interest. They blindy follow Bush and his criminal administration and this will just cement the people's resolve to get them out of office come 2008 elections. Go ahead republicans, hang yourselves.

This article is very misleading. Democrates HAVE enough votes to pass this legislation. They just don't have enough votes to stop the filibuster. I think this all nighter is a win-win situation for the Democrates. My rating for Sen. Reid just went up 10 points.

Either do what the majority of the people asks, or get out of our way.
- MCD, San Francisco

Mob rule is your preference??

More grand standing for the anti-freedom base at the expense of troop moral. HOW PITIFUL!

When are you going to do the peoples work Harry? When are you going to secure our borders Harry??

This is why Congress is now polling as the worst in history.

Let's just remember in all of this that the members of Congress had the same intelligence that President Bush did… They got the same briefings he did, from the same officials, and the same information. If the information really wasn't there, then perhaps the Democrats (and Republicans) are at fault for making rash, emotionally charged, political decisions. Whoops. Then again, maybe going into Iraq really was the right thing, because maybe the extremists over there really do want to hurt us. But I guess we should pull back instead, hunker down, and wait for acts of terrorism to start recovering from.

I at least hope that this money wasting bit of "theater" includes some solutions. I've yet to hear any Democrat say what they think will happen to Iraq once we pull out. Simply saying "I hate Bush and his policies" may have been enough to get them elected, but it's not enough to actually govern.

I think the very first comment here brings a very good point. The republicans threatened to CHANGE THE RULES OF CONGRESS TO END DEMOCRATIC FILIBUSTER.

Where are they now? Did they take their ball and go home? Why can't elected officials represent the people that elected them instead of the will of Darth Cheney and George "Sloth" Bush who they all try to distance themselves from during election time and somehow embrace during this partisan ego quagmire.

Rocky Roads?

Glenn,

A few technicalities. First, Congress does not "declare" war, the president does. Congress's constitutional duty iss to make it official. For decades veterans of the Vietnam and Korean "wars" were not permitted to join the VFW, because they didn't fight in a "declared war". Second, there is a lot of evidence that Bush and Cheney lied about the intelligence. It comes from the inelligence community itself. Dozens of analysts have come forward to testify that they were relentlessly pressure into re-evaluting the intel over and over again in order to even the slightest point that could used to trump up charges against the Hussein regime. The facts are that the president lied and this war is an unnecessary drain on our military resources and strength. Our military, which is the finest in the world, is being ground down in the dust of Iraq. And the only reasone it wasn't the end of Bush is because he still has supporters who are willing to make things like truth and legality "debateable".

"Obama did vote against the war. Have to look at that when judging all Dems togather."

Actually, Obama wasn't in congress yet to vote against the war. He did speak out against it though.

What people have a hard time understanding is that the Republicans in Congress have basically stopped all legislation. Every bill that the Democratic leaders attempt to vote on is stopped by fillibuster threats from the Republicans. They don't need a majority to stop a vote, only 40%. This all nighter is an attempt to draw attention to the Rebuplican's tactics (which Republicans complained about relentlessly when they had a majority), and make them defend their views to the American public.
So yes, it could be called 'political theater' but it is political theater aimed at showing the public why nothing gets done in Congress.

We will not know what impact Cheney had on intelligence, until he agrees that he is indeed part of the executive branch and turns over his "classified" records. Remember, he visited the CIA an unprecedented number of times prior to the start of the war. There were many reports that said CIA agents felt pressured to fit the intelligence to the policy.

This stunt truly demonstrates the Democrats inability to successfully accomplish anything of slight importance. By pulling an all-nighter like a bunch of college students, the Dems are wasting their time as anything they come up with will lack any kind of luster and substance and of course will be 'non-binding' and deserving of a failing grade.

It is time for the democrats to stand up for what they believe in in all matters instead of worrying about the political ramifications a decision may have with the American people. Standing up for what you believe in has won a lot of elections for the Republicans in recent years. It is time for the democrats to follow through with what they promised to do standing up to this president who does not take into consideration the will of the American people.

Well of course they'll keep it open to an empty house so that the majority party can appear to be doing something, when in reality they are only looking out for their re-election and self interest. If they were actually trying to do something for their elected masses, they would cancel their automatic pay raised and add the total amount to the DOD budget for more body armour!

I'm glad their doing this. Atleast the Democrats are trying to accomplish what they promised to the people, to bring the troops home. However, since the Republicans seem determined to not represent their constituents and would rather follow the President, the Democrats have to resort to this "Political Theatre" in order to show people why things aren't getting done.

Call it political theater or whatever. The dems are spot on what they are doing i.e. calling attention to the problems and hurdles they face.

Was the vote on ' flag burning ' and constitutional amendment on ' Gay marriages’, 30 days before the Nov 06 elections by the Repubs not political theater? Was Tom Delay not a political theater himself?

How can we expect the dems to fix the issues, when the republicans continue to guard the right of having the blood of our sons and daughters on their hands?

I understand why the repubs are doing so, its political suicide if they cave in and admit to their mistake.

Now, most think and wonder why they would not cave ASAP with the 08′ elections. But my fellow bloggers they are being farsighted. Repubs know that they going to lose the elections again heavily in 08’, but they do not want to lose the party.

Elections can be lost and won, but the party image where they will be known as major foreign policy screw ups (Repub party rests it's laurels at being the best at ‘foreign policy’ for decades) will be detrimental to the Republicans.

Travis,

Amazingly, you're half right with that statement of yours. Not so much that the Dems don't want to end the war, but rather that "if you wlect more of us then we will really end the war" Because right now there are too many Bush-protecting Republicans in the Senate to actually DO anything. And this is exactly why Congress has such a low support rating. It's not that the Dems aren't trying to accomplish things, its that there simply isn't enough support in the Senate to do it. And besides, if something does manage to sneak through, Bush will simply use his suddenly-discovered veto pen on it.

Oh, and Luis, yes Congress did vote to go to war, but that was the REPUBLICAN majority Congress, not the one that is there now. Slight difference there.

Luis from Miami, you are right. This is Bush's War. The American people as well as the Senate were sold this war by the Bushies, who were riding high in the 9/11 USA,USA,USA hysterics.

What is the saddest, is the fact that all the lives lost American/Iraqi is for NOTHING. The money and effort is for NOTHING. Bush repeats like a parrot, Sadam chose this war! Well no, he didn't! There WERE inspectors in Iraq just before the war, and they asked Bush for more time. Our American Jerk, the Decider, decided to wage this war, and in war we are.

How many chances and how many more lives are we willing to give Bush the Idiot?

Every time I read about the republicans using a filibuster to block a vote, I keep thinking about their past rhetoric about Bush's nominees deserving an "up or down vote". I guess they don't think that a vote that determines the fate of hundreds of thousands of American soldiers deserves an up or down vote.

Glen,

How can you claim Obama voted against the War in Iraq when he wasnt even in the Senate when it was voted upon? He was elected in 2004, the Iraq War Resolution was voted on in October 2002. He may have voiced his opposition while in the Illinois State government, but thats not the same as voting against the resolution when he didnt have a vote in the matter.

The blunder was either have the guts to declare war and hang their political fortune out there for all to see or stand up years ago and say no. This pathetic "I now have a change of heart" or "I am now brighter than I was then" or "It is the President's fault" won't wash.

Guess they did not have the intelligence to get it right the first time. In that case, we seem to be stuck with third rate political hacks who will never know what to do.

"Political theater"? Way to be 'fair and balanced' CNN.

Just because the majority of Americans want something, does not make it right, nor does that make it the best policy for this country. If we truly beleived in "majority rules" we would never have passed any of the civil rights legislation we did. I for one am tired of politicians who govern this country by polls. We need leaders in our government. The current congressional battle over the war shows us just how heartless politics has become in this country. Both parties are at fault. Ideological differences have come to be more important than our brave soldiers who fight to keep us safe and our country free. I suggest that all who decry what is happening, remember that we are all Americans first, Democrats and Republicans second. Let's all look at what is best for our country, not our party.

War is about protecting troops? Interesting point. I always thought war is about winning. If America doesn't have guts for this war, then there is always a choice of running out of it, but do not be surprised when the war will come to your cities in just few years.

I think all the Republicans should be voted out of office this next election cycle so they can go home and just sit on their dead butts.

The way I understand it, Iraq was an undeclared war. Remember there hasn't been an 'officially' declared war since 1941, when FDR asked Congress for a State of War against (first) Imperial Japan. Bush, under what is known as "the war powers act," sought the approval of the Congress to wage war aganist Iraq. Yes, the majority of Democrats and Republicans in Congress supported Bush on this, but remember, the evidence they were all given were based on lies. You know, the so called WMD's, etc. I find it hard to blame Hillary or Edwards for voting for the war on this point of fact, because they, like everyone else were presented with misinformation (lies).

"So long as anybody's terrorizing established governments, there NEEDS TO BE A WAR." GWB, Oct. 17, 2001.

Let the Bush lackeys keep supporting him. Ask McCain what it has done for him.

Hey Glenn,

For the record, Obama did not vote against the war. He wasn't in the Senate when they voted in 2002. You have to remember that, he never had to cast a vote one way or another.

The whole story seems so obviously biased to favor Republicans. It starts out describing the Democratic attempt as 'theater'. It doesn't mention all the outcry and media coverage CNN offered the Reps last year when they screamed and yelled everytime they could not get an up or down vote on their far right wing judicial appointments. Now, when the Democrats are trying to accomplish something that the American people want, it's called 'theater.' I won't get in to the spelling errors in the post… or maybe I will — not clear how many senators will chose to stay up for the rare session much less use the cots. i think they meant 'choose'.

For starters, the most popular elected official in Washington is not George W. Bush. The most popular elected officials are individual members of Congress. Not every member of Congress has a 23% approval rating. I think that one needs to be clear. Congress, as a whole, has such low numbers due to Republicans' unwillingness to break with the party. With such a slim majority and a member of the Senate in the hospital, it's only natural that nothing is happening, and when something does, the veto pen comes out.

Secondly, while some Democrats did vote for the war, Congress was in Republican hands at the time. Don't throw that one in the lap of the Democrats. They can't defend something that wasn't owned by them.

And if anyone comes out against what is happening in the Senate tonight, it should be noted that the same tactics, and much worse ones, were employed by the Republicans when judges had no hope of passing. Only with the threat of the nuclear option were they passed.

Both times, it has sounded less like lawmaking and more like bullying by the GOP.

And Glenn, where have you been during the whole Plame affair and yellowcake forgeries? The yellowcake was supposedly coming from Chad, which the Ambassador of the United States, Plame's husband, said was not true.

Why won't they go ahead and impeach the president? If this was a parliamentary government and he was prime minister, he would have been history four years ago.

This isn't theater. It's an effort to move forward an amendment that's supported by a majority of Senators. He's making the GOP do an actual filibuster, not merely a paper one. Good for him. If the GOP feels so strongly about supporting a failed war policy, let them stand up there like an anti-matter Mr. Smith and proclaim it. Then let the Senate vote, so we can get the hell out of this war.

Glen,

So far there is no proof that Bush and Cheney doctored intelligence records to justify the war in Iraq and thats because the majority GOP ignored the topic when they were in control. Now that the people have spoken and voted in a Democratic majority the White house is engaging in a policy of "stalling and shredding" the evidence.

Richard, Orlando

I'm fed up with all of Congress. Both parties are just playing games. I have a son & grandson that have been to Iraq, my son has served 3 tours there. I am not sure that this police action will stop the bloodshed that has cursed this part of the world for yrs. I do know that we were not in Iraq when 9/11 happened. The Clinton's and the Bush's are just two sides of the same coin. I am just addressing the facts here.
As for Iraq, Why give up ground that we have already paid for in Iraq. They have moved into there to fight us. Its the reason that the bombs in England failed, there resources are over there not here. I think that if our leaders were honest & told the truth, that this constant bickering would stop & we could vote on who was best at solving our problems. I could care less what party they are.

I can only think that a whole bunch of republican reps are not running for office again. If that is not the case, why aren't they listening to what the American People are telling them. This isn't about party, this isn't about politics… this is about the troops and the future of this country. Either do what the majority of the people asks, or get out of our way.

Glen, I bet you think the low approval rating of Congress is all directed at the Dems. Get real! I do not approve of Congress either, mainly because there are too many Republicans still there blocking good legislation with their filibusters. This is the same group of Cons that wanted to change the rules for cloture a few years ago during the Supreme Court confirmations (ironic). Heck, they even blocked a sensible amendment from Senator Webb that would have allowed our soldiers the proper breaks from their tours of duty. And people wonder why new recruits are down. What incentive is there to sign up for a war that is unjust with over-extended tours? America cannot afford to continue this ill-conceived debacle in Iraq any longer. Our national security is too important, and the sooner these Republican enablers realize it, the better off our country will be.

Noah

There is no proof of Bush or any Congress member doctoring intelligence. If there were it would have been the end of Bush. Also I don't vote on Congressmen to do as there are told by the executive branch. I hold them responsible for what they vote on.

Obama did vote against the war. Have to look at that when judging all Dems togather.

Oops. Congress voted for the war, yes. But on what grounds? Congress was told that there was substantial evidence for WMD in Iraq, a claim which even the Bush Administration has now abandoned. It's now been revealed by British intelligence agencies that the executive branch was planning to invent the facts and put the pieces into place to justify invasion of Iraq. So yes, Congress authorized it. But it was justified by the executive branch. Blaming Congress for the war is like holding someone accountable for repeating a lie they heard from someone they had every reason to trust. And Congress had every reason to trust the executive's evidence — and not suspect that it was deliberately fradulent. Too bad they were wrong, but I think it's fairly obvious who's at fault for the war.

The Democrats don't want the war to end at all! They want to huff and puff about it. I'm sure they would love to huff and puff all the way to November 2008. And say "If you elect more of us then we will really end the war". Yes, lots of "theater" here.

Luis,

BRAVO!!!

Somebody needs to get Ted Brown a copy-editor; or a least a copy of Strunk and White.

Luis Miami

The President cannot declare war. Only Congress can. THEY voted to go to war.

James..
It looks to me like the democrats are really trying to stop this huge blunder and war of choice….

By the way this is the Bush war… he lied to you, me and the world to create this mess and I know you like history to blame Bill Clinton, but at the end we all know the truth.

No wonder that only 23% support this congress. At 32% approval rating Bush is the most popular elected official in Washington.

Don't you just love watching our elected officials act in ways that can be termed "political theater." Otherwise, one would have to think that they had some integrity and convictions behind their pandering. When we end this war that is impact not only our lives but the lives of millions of Iraqis, let's not do it through theater. While history may judge Bush for his action getting us into war, history may also be as critical on those who half-hazardly pull us out. Politics wins elections, but it does not solve problems.

Good for the Dems. I think this should have occurred a long time ago.

If the Republicans want a filibuster then the Democrats needs to make sure it is clear to the American public that it is the Republicans who are gumming up the legislative works.

It wasn't so long ago when the Republicans were crying foul about the filibuster when it came to judges. Yet now they use this tactic to thwart the will of the majority of the American public who would like to see an orderly reduction of troops in Iraq.

In the spirit of possibly reviving the fairness doctrine, why don't you identify the Democrats who are going against Reid/Pelosi instead of just identifying the Republicans who are going against President Bush?