Senate Republicans Block Pro-Troop Legislation

Associated Press:

The Senate blocked legislation Wednesday that would have regulated the amount of time troops spent in combat, a blow for Democrats struggling to challenge President Bush's Iraq policies.

The 56-44 vote was four votes short of reaching the 60 needed to cut off debate. It was the second time in as many months that the bill, sponsored by Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., was sidetracked. In July, a similar measure fell four votes short of advancing.

Read the whole story: Associated Press

Comments

[AlphaDoc]

Why is it that the Republican minority is still acting like they are the majority? And why in hell are they continuing to get away with it? Cripes. The Democrats are acting like victims of battered spouse syndrome . . . it's sickening. If ever there was a reason for them to shut down the damned government until a proposed piece of legislation passed, this was it.

Support the troops, or get off the pot!

[JSquercia]

When will WE start talking about Obstructionist Republicans and pointing their
hypocracy in "supporting the troops "

[getoffmedz]

JSquercia - excellent point. Overcoming the RNC noise machine is key.

Obstructionist GOP politicians are KILLING OUR TROOPS and are WORSE than any of our enemies. Much worse!

[Podewumun]

More like the Over-Indulgent Grandmother Syndrome.

Too Fucking POLITE!!!!!!!!!!!!

(WHACK!) "Snap out of it!"

[PigLipstick]

A representative of the Pew Research Center spoke on the PBS News Hour tonight and said that a majority of Democrats in Congress are fed up with their so-called leadership. I've been screaming this same message for the last six months on this blog and others. An all too repetitive story of talking tuff right up until the last minute and then caving in to the president.

A political analyst on one of the news programs said nothing would change until after the primaries, too much campaign funding is tied to a candidates performance during the primary season. That's why the Democrat leaders have been having relationships with some strange bed fellows like the ultra conservative AIPAC. This recurring performance has established Republican dominance that could ultimately give them the credit for ending this war next September or October, right before the Election.

This tracks what an old gentleman told me years ago; "from day 1, nothing matters but getting re-elected". We played this game for 10 years during the Viet Nam conflict. 53,000 dead Americans later, a disgraced Republican president left his administration in disarray and confusion which finally gave the anti-war faction in Congress an opportunity to end the blood bath.

Can't keep blaming the Republicans, Democrats have the ball and all they can do is make excuses !

[outmost1]

If the republicants won't support the troops then the Dems shouldn't advance any more funding bills - ever. This is the second best way to support our troops!

[lisakaz]

Yep. These GOP lapdogs disgust me. "Support the troops"? More like: "Don't stop us making 'em cannon fodder."

[Podewumun]

JUST TAKE A DULL SPOON TO THE MONIES DESTINED TO PAY CONTRACTS OF MERCENARY GOON SQUADS.

THAT they CAN do.
XXXXX
Emergency Supplemental Budget items # ______.

[LorettaSingbiel]

Yep. These GOP lapdogs disgust me. "Support the troops"? More like: "Don't stop us making 'em cannon fodder."

You've got THAT right, lisakaz!

REPUBLICANS are RUINING the REPUTATION and "RIGHT-TO-LIFE" of every American soldier who turns TERRORIST (on a good day?) and TARGET PRACTICE (on a bad day?)!!!

Stay safe, healthy and happy,
Love, Loretta

[cabgx2]

Support the Troops, as long as it dosen't cost any money.

[louinphx]

At least, Snow has stayed good to her word. Turncoat Warner remains true to his past action -- renounce the war to grap headlines, then vote with the WH.

[bluesnot]

Honestly, Warner is full of hot air just like Lugar and Domenici. Do Republican voters not see what liars their senators are?

[Podewumun]

Flog Warner. He's not running for reelection.
WTF does he care?

Oh, this just in.....his former wife, Elizabeth Taylor, has removed Warner from her Xmas card list.

Back to you Dan.

[Chris]

Like these stalwarts of truth on the Dem side of the aisle.

Man they all will say whatever it takes to get power and keep.

Just wait to Hillary wins the nomination and how suddenly she starts to speak out against some of moveon.org's questionable actions.

[speakingtruth2power]

This is no surprise!

When Warner backed out with his support for Webb and the troops, it was lost.

This is another victory of the Bush crime family and their rule through intimidation and blackmail. Our country is under siege from a criminal cabal, enabled by the cowardly and corrupt GOP.

Once again, they have failed America and have set their fate in 2008.

[getoffmedz]

speakingtruth2power - bingo! especially the blackmail part.

[KOisGod]

The repiglican's "We support the troops" have made their statement.

"Leave them in the heat of battle until they are broken, wounded or dead." Bush's legacy of creating a failed state is more important then giving our men and women in uniform a break from their time in HELL.

[Binx101]

Indeed the Republicans have made their statement. And this is where the Democrats need to focus their respective energies politically. Force them to defend their position.

Typically we have seen Democrats squander the opportunities that present themselves when a bill is defeated. In fact, there is considerable opportunity to force R's to defend their position with cogent and well placed articles and challenges throughout the news paradigm.

It would be really uplifting if the Democrats could operate with a bit of a savvy instead of brooding over losses. Turn them into wins by bringing the debate in the very viability of the Republicans that are going to try to save their skins on election day. The Democrats have got to start operating with a game plan too. The Bills are about legislation - the rest is about politics - and so far - if not for this Blog and many like it - they would have made no advancement at all in bringing public awareness. It wasn't them - it was this venue that created the energy.

At the very least they could acknowledge the diligence of the engaged public by at least living up to our most modest expectations. We're only asking them to be good at what they signed on for - being politicians.

[bluesnot]

So true. Democrats just fold up like a two dollar suitcase when they should be bitchslapping people silly.

Makes you wonder if the fix was in. The Democrats don't come across as being fired up. Who was in the news talking it up? I don't remember seeing anybody but Webb.

[LorettaSingbiel]

"force R's to defend their position with cogent and well placed articles and challenges throughout the news paradigm."

OK, MoveOn.Org...NAIL THESE BASTARDS TO THE CROSS!

Stay safe, healthy and happy,
Love, Loretta

[Gary47]

Well said. I appauld your statemnt Binx101!

[DrenchedOtter]

Right on, Binx101! The Democrats should put together another bill, bring it up for a cloture vote, and let the Republicans block it. Then crow about it all over the news. That's how a MAJORITY party should act when a MINORITY tries to stand in the way of legislation. Keep the spotlight on, make them defend their position, that's how you legislate.

[SalB]

Another commenter mentioned this somewhere else: we're preaching to the choir right now. This comment, Binx101, is really good and should be sent to our Democratic senators.

[Chris]

KO have you consider the unintended consequnces of this amendment.

Many generals already state that the US army is strained.

So let's say then that this amendment passes and congress some how overrides the presidential veteo and a Supreme Court challenge. So now it is law. Say that OBL partners with a new country and they attack the US again. How can we respond since many troops will not be eligible for combat?

[BreadandRoses]

And if the dog was faster he might have caught the rabbit.

Nice straw man.

You must have gotten an "A" at the RNC straw man building class.

[LorettaSingbiel]

"Say that OBL partners with a new country and they attack the US again."

Huh? Didn't we INVADE IRAQ so OBL & his partners "DON'T follow/fight us HERE"?

Well OF COURSE we DIDN'T INVADE IRAQ for THAT reason. It's the OIL, stupid! Even General BETRAYUS had to admit that INVADING IRAQ ISN'T making us any SAFER! In fact, OUR INVASION IN IRAQ launched a MASSIVE INCENTIVE for "TERRORIST" RECRUITMENT!!! OBL & his partners in PAKISTAN thank us for our HELP!!!

"How can we respond since many troops will not be eligible for combat?"

Huh? HOW can we respond since many troops will BE IN IRAQ?

Stay safe, healthy and happy,
Love, Loretta

[Podewumun]

it's baaaaaaaaccckkk.
MAYBE they would leave us alone IF WE left them alone? How's that for an idea, you wingnut?

[stlrfan]

Lying coward Warner couldn't stand the heat from the Cheney shop.

[bluesnot]

Sometimes it makes you wonder if hard threats are being made.

[Kansas Evans]

And how hard those threats are.

[milo9]

Yes, it does seem fishy! The Reps come on like they want to do the right thing then boom they reverse themselves. God I hope I live long enough to understand wtf is going on.

[Podewumun]

You have to admire a man who SITS on principle.

[LorettaSingbiel]

"You have to admire a man who SITS on principle."

...who SHITS on principle!

Stay safe, healthy and happy,
Love, Loretta

[bluesnot]

Who are those 44 senators who voted against the Webb Amendment? Tuck that list away until they come up for re-election.

[speakingtruth2power]

I think there are about twenty traitors who will face defeat in the Senate in 2008.

[BLOGGINGBITCH]

Isn't this precious?


http://www.americablog.com/2007/09/us-defense-secretary-doesnt-know-if.html



.

[ManipulatedByMedia]

The article calls it a defeat for the Democrats. I disagree. It's a defeat for America and our soldiers. This can no longer continue to be made a political issue. That is only the bullshat spin that the media continues to put on this. I'm disgusted with the politicizing of our sons and daughter's lives which continue to be on the line, as these pompous A-holes sit on their arses, patting each other on the back for defeating a bill from an opposite party. This, in spite of the human consequences.

[wordvarc]

GOP senators are w's spineless sychophant lapdogs.

The failed invasion, destabilization, an occupation of Iraq now belongs to the GOP and w.

The reason Congress's polls are so unfavorable is because they have not stopped w and his wars.

Get our troops out of harm's way!
.

[getoffmedz]

wordvarc - thank you for laying the blame for disgracing our troops precisely where it belongs - on mass-murdering professional politician GOP scum whose obstructionist tactics KILL OUR TROOPS!

Then the RNC noise machine, the Rushbots and fake liberal trolls have the audacity to blame the Democrats relying on the fucking stupidity of the voted-for-­Bush-TWICE imbeciles to buy their crap.

Fake Republicans KILL OUR TROOPS! Get that through you dense skulls, America! They are traitors, murderers and bought-and-paid-for SCUM!

[smartstuart]

You mean,besides the dynamic duo of Lieberman and McCain? Congrats to Ct. for sending this grouper-faced traitor back to the Senate!! Hope all your sports teams never win another game-and that you bastards all go bankrupt!!! Do you get: F**k YOU????

[Podewumun]

Is it just me, or does Lieberman NOT have the second-most IRRITATING voice in politics?
The first, of course, being His Petulancy.

[BUSHsurvivor]

Kinda thought Warner would flip...sigh! Can't wait for a real meaningful control of the Senate!

[Podewumun]

Like they tucked their peckers...