Reid tells Republicans they'll have to filibuster

[FourScore]

Run time: 01:34 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiCmJDeXSgQ   Posted on YouTube: July 16, 2007 By YouTube Member: Views on YouTube: 0   Posted on DU: July 17, 2007 By DU Member: FourScore Views on DU: 1108

 

[TwilightGardener]

1. Haw haw haw! Have a lozenge, boys and girls--it's gonna be a bumpy night!

[Strawman]

2. For one day

He said they'd stay in session tomorrow and tomorrow night. Don't get too excited yet. I think the Republicans can filibuster that long.

It's a move in the right direction, just not far enough yet. I think he's probably giving the hard-line Repugs a taste of what they're in for come September when they expect more Republican defections. Maybe he thinks he might have a shot at 67 votes in the fall and plans to go all in then to kill a filibuster. He seems to be methodically ratcheting up the pressure with each vote on the war.

[FourScore]

3. It's not about how long the Republicans can filibuster.

Reid can file a motion for cloture, which as I understand it, limits the discussions to 30 hours before casting an up or down vote. It's confusing and I don't really understand it too well myself, but the filibuster-days of "Mr. Smith" are over.

He'll get his vote, but it won't really amount to much other than the Republicans will be "on the record" for extending the war.

That's how I understand it. Factual corrections to what I am saying are welcome. I am speaking outside my expertise right now.:-)

[Strawman]

4. The 30 hour limit is after a cloture motion is passed

A cloture vote requires 3/5 of the "sworn Senate" or 60 votes to pass. What he can do is force them to talk the entire time by keeping the Senate in session. That is not customary practice anymore. There is a tacit mutual agreement to allow "gentlemens" filibusters where they can threaten fillibuster and that's enough.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1316/is_n11_v28/ai_18855822

Also...

"The Senate may end a filibuster by invoking cloture. In most cases, cloture requires the support of three-fifths of the Senate; however, if the matter before the Senate involves changing the rules of the body, a two-thirds majority is required. Cloture is invoked very rarely, particularly because bipartisan support is usually necessary to obtain the required supermajority. If the Senate does invoke cloture, debate does not end immediately; instead, further debate is limited to thirty additional hours unless increased by another three-fifths vote."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standing_Rules_of_the_Senate

[SemperEadem]

5. finally---they are getting it!

Put the freakin' thugs on the record--give the Dems the proof and facts they need to fling this into the teeth of the thugs when it comes time for re-election.

GET IT ON THE RECORD!!!!