Posted on 02/17/2007 12:01:58 PM PST by pissant
Senate gridlocks on Iraq war resolution
By DAVID ESPO, AP Special Correspondent
The Senate gridlocked on the Iraq war in a sharply worded showdown on Saturday as Republicans foiled a Democratic attempt to rebuke President Bush over his deployment of 21,500 additional combat troops.
The vote was 56-34. That was six short of the 60 needed to advance the measure, which is identical to a nonbinding resolution that Democrats pushed through the House on Friday.
"The Senate, on behalf of the American people, must make it clear to the commander in chief that he no longer has a rubber stamp in Iraq," said Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., in the final moments before the vote.
Republicans blasted him and the Democratic leadership for refusing to allow a vote on an alternative that ruled out any reduction in money for troops in the field.
"A vote in support of the troops that is silent on the question of funds is an attempt to have it both ways," said Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the GOP leader. "So we are asking for an honest and open debate."
The vote marked the second time this winter that Senate Republicans have blocked action on nonbinding measures critical of the presidents war policies. This time, however, there were signs of restlessness within the GOP.
Seven Republicans broke with their leadership, compared with only two on the previous test vote.
Also this time, the maneuvering concerned a nonbinding measure that disapproved of Bushs decision to deploy the additional troops and pledged to support and protect the troops
In the Senate, Reid has told lawmakers he will turn anti-terrorism legislation into a forum for debate over the war. He has met privately in recent days with fellow Democrats as the leadership plans its next move.
(Excerpt) Read more at sweetness-light.com ...
McConnell, greatness in a modest individual.
Snowe voted with the GOP????
Kit Bond??? Are you kidding?
Oops...sorry, didn't notice that he was a non-vote
Actually crack dealers are most likely more honest than Liberal Traitors. (Read Democrats)
Naw, what happened when I posted the list of the 7 snarfs was that her name got left off the list. Breathe easy Mr. Ant. She voted with the Democrats.
Coleman is the one Al Franken will be running against, isn't he? Snowe and Collins are typical of the Northeast. Hagel, Warner, and Smith are three that need to be shown the door, and we may have more of a chance doing that.
Kyl and Corker are on a trip to Iraq.
Thanks - I had wondered where some of these were who didn't vote. I knew McCainiac was campaigning.
I'd like to see Hagel 'tarred and feathered' as he's shown the door.
I believe he is the rino (notice that he does not even derserve all caps) that had planned to run for President, and a top pubbie campaign person laughed and told him he would be lucky to get re-elected to the Senate.
Not Kit Bond. Bond always votes for the good of the country. He was number one in his class at Virginia law school and way too smart and too American to side with the rat party and their middle-eastern allies.
Hey Minnesota, you are going to get to choose between traitor Coleman and Frankenstein for senator.
Why are we keeping running into the same old sh@@. NEW BLOOD!!!!!!! Can the old sh@@.
That stupid Gordon Smith will be replaced by a real democrat because his RINO waffling will only cost him Republican votes without gaining any Democrat ones. Maybe he thinks he's angling for the "unaffiliated" registered voters, but he's delusional if that's what he thinks.
Put a fork in him. He's done.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.