[Molly Pitcher]

If the Dems think they can block it now, when they're the Minority, why didn't they let it get out of the J. Committee for a vote on the floor, when they were in the Majority???? Hmmmmmm??

[Dog]

"I haven't done a count but my sense is that we will have 41 votes," said Senate Democratic Whip Harry Reid of Nevada.

Harry doesn't have the votes!

[benjaminthomas]

why didn't they let it get out of the J. Committee for a vote on the floor

Because they didn't have to. It was easier to just kill it in committee. Filibusters can be very risky politically.

[Once-Ler]

"If the Dems think they can block it now, when they're the Minority, why didn't they let it get out of the J. Committee for a vote on the floor, when they were in the Majority???? Hmmmmmm??"

What an excellent observation.
During the special session of Congress last year, ‘lil Tommy proved he could stop nothing.
Up till the last minute of voting Daschle declared his opposition to HLS.
When the smoke cleared it passed overwhelmingly.

What does embolden the ‘rats to think they can get away with their slander?
Trent Lott is one factor.
The ‘rats probably believe they were successful in removing him as SML.
They were not. It was the conservative wing that ousted Lott due to perceived caving in over Republican legislation. The praise of Strom was just the excuse.
Republican over-reaction by Dubya and others may have actually been beneficial to the Republican image, while media exposure of ‘rat hypocrisy with Sheets Byrd, and Hymie-Town Jackson has likely weakened the ‘rats.
The ‘rats are not suicidal however.
They need to refill the campaign coffers and they fear liberals more than the middle.
That is the real reason why they are "Obstructionists."
I'm sure their polling shows that the public doesn't appreciate the "loyal opposion" routine.
They are hoping people will forget 'cause they need money now to pay bills.
They will pay dearly when the elections return in 04.