To make this work, the Democrats have to have some guts, and they have to be able to clearly communicate about this. The choice should be easy to make clear. And it becomes a great argument for removal of any GOP Senator who is vulnerable in 2008 if they continue to block a reasonable process.

Anyone see a flaw in this approach?

Latest commentary from Future Senator, Tom Allen’s campaign (D-ME).

I like Senator Byrd. I have a great deal of affection for this man.

Even more so after I heard him yell ‘murderer, murderer’ as McConnell was speaking this morning. I swear that’s what I heard (even re-wound my dvr to confirm). McConnell said “I object” and the camera switched to Byrd who was beginning to sit down behind Reid. Reid then regained the floor from McConnell. I haven’t heard or seen anything about this incident but I saw it with my own eyes. It happened at about 8:30 a.m. Pacific time this morning. I hope someone can put up the video so you can view it for yourselves.

LibertyLee @ 58

in the past, when Congress has gotten hung on one or both, they pass them all in a big Omnibus Bill Continuing Resolution. So I’m not sure what the Dems won, if anything.

Actually the Defense Appropriations Bill for FY 2007 did pass last year — it was the only appropriation bill to do so. It also left out the funding for Iraq, which is why there were Supplemental funding bills this year.

And, in case you’ve forgotten, a REPUBLICAN Congress defunded the troops in Somalia, during the Clinton Administration.

Don’t tell us they can’t cut off the money when they can and have done so several times in the past.

The Authorization bill passed last year, but there will several years in the Clinton Administration in which Defense Authorization and Appropriations were folded into an Omnibus Continuing Resolution. In reality, the Clinton Administration WANTED to pull the troops out of Somalia; it was a typical “do-gooder” “humanitarian” mission (a la Haiti, unlike Bosnia in which Republicans did NOT pull funding)…and the Administration’s heart wasn’t in it. I’m just saying that there is nothing which once a battle is commenced can realistically force the President’s hand, since as Commander-in-Chief you cannot have a lawyer checking whether the President is “redeploying” or advancing. It won’t work. It will be up to the election to resolve the Iraq War and the Global War on Terror.

in the past, when Congress has gotten hung on one or both, they pass them all in a big Omnibus Bill Continuing Resolution. So I’m not sure what the Dems won, if anything.

Actually the Defense Appropriations Bill for FY 2007 did pass last year — it was the only appropriation bill to do so. It also left out the funding for Iraq, which is why there were Supplemental funding bills this year.

And, in case you’ve forgotten, a REPUBLICAN Congress defunded the troops in Somalia, during the Clinton Administration.

Don’t tell us they can’t cut off the money when they can and have done so several times in the past.

That picture is grotesque – how can one man have a pencil neck AND a double chin?

well… how to put this? um,

too small a braincase to hold his face in place?