Debate, All Night Long, On Iraq

As Senate Sets Stage For Vote On Withdrawing Troops Within 120 Days

(AP)  Senate Democrats staged an all-night debate on the Iraq war in a dramatic attempt to wear down Republicans who refuse to vote to begin to bring troops home by fall.

Republicans responded with a yawn - agreeing to stay around and respond to any votes that might be scheduled around-the-clock but remaining steadfast in their opposition to the Democrats' anti-war legislation.

"This is nonsense," said Republican Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska.

Added Oklahoma Republican Tom Coburn of his Democratic colleagues: "I bet I can stay up longer than they can."

And so he did, speaking on the floor after even Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid had retired, a little after midnight, to a cot set up in a parlor adjacent to his office.

Reid had pushed through a motion minutes earlier, on a 41-37 roll-call vote, instructing the Senate Sergeant-at-arms to "request the attendance of absent senators" in an effort to keep members near the chamber. Having made his point, Reid than announced there would be no further votes before 5 a.m.

Thus, most senators got a chance for a few hours of shuteye even while a handful of their colleagues took turns droning on through the night with floor speeches.

The "live" audience for the speeches was sparse, however, and there was no indication how aggressive the sergeant-at-arms was being in carrying out his official instructions to keep members near the chamber - or whether he was insisting that they be awake.

The Senate was to vote Wednesday on legislation by Democrats Carl Levin and Jack Reed that would require President Bush to begin pulling troops out of Iraq in 120 days. After April 30, an unspecified number of troops would be allowed to remain in Iraq to fight terrorists, protect U.S. assets and train Iraqi security forces.

The legislation is expected to attract the support of a narrow majority of senators - around 52 votes - but fall short of the 60 votes needed to cut off debate and end a filibuster.

"Will the all-night session change any votes? I hope so," said Reid. "Because it will focus attention on the obstructionism of the Republicans."

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice planned to spend most of Wednesday on Capitol Hill lobbying lawmakers on Bush's Iraq policy, a senior State Department official said.

Rice's plans included spending up to five hours in the morning and early afternoon in group and private meetings in both the Senate and House. The focus would be Iraq and other foreign policy issues, including the Middle East, the official said.

While the issue was momentous - a war more than four years in duration, costing more than 3,600 U.S. troops their lives - the proceedings were thick with politics.

MoveOn.org, the anti-war group, announced plans for more than 130 events around the country to coincide with the Senate debate, part of an effort to pressure Republicans into allowing a final vote on the legislation. A candlelight vigil and rally across the street from the Capitol was prominent among them, with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, among those attending.

So far, the legislation has drawn the support of three Republicans.

"We are at the crossroads of hope and reality, and the time has come to address reality," said Republican Senator Olympia Snowe, adding that the Iraqi government was guilty of "serial intransigence" when it came to trying to solve the country's political problems.

Republican Gordon Smith, who is seeking re-election next year, said Iraqis appeared focused on "revenge, not reconciliation," and that the administration needed to change its approach. "The American mission is to make sure that Iraq doesn't fall into the hands of al Qaeda," he said, rather than referee a civil war.

[navyretired2]

"How many sleepless nights have our soldiers and their families had?" said Democratic Whip *** Durbin.

Many more than you can possibly fathom scrub.

Just another political stunt by one of the parties to garner political clout, knowing all along it won't get the job done.

[rray52]

Time for the Senate to have a time out.

%u201CNeeds Improvement%u201D in %u201Cplays well with others%u201D

[muzzlebush]

This is, as the Republicans have said, political theatre.
The only realy way to get this bill passed is to first indict and impeach both Bush and Cheney. Anything less that that would be a huge misuse of the trust of the People.

[processor2]

The SurrenderCrats are going full steam ahead.

Having a Democrat Congress run the Iraq war would be
like having a Democrat Congress running the Vietnam war.

We all know what a mistake that was.

.

[nothappyatall]

"just another political stunt by one of the parties to garner political clout, knowing all along it won't get the job done."

Right, and the way to get the job done is file articles of impeechment against Bush and Cheney ASAP and get them OUT of power, once those murdering morons are gone, preferably in jail, then we can yank our people out of this cesspool of Iraq where we LOST 4 years ago and only succeeded in making it a terrorist training camp.

They ADMIT, that thanks to BUSH- by their latest "terrorist this summer scare" that Al Quaida is STRONGER and more organized, despite billions of our tax dollars and 4-1/2 YEARS of a protracted useless occupation with no end.

[mudrose-2009]

Hey boys, I'll bring the *** = you got a dvd?

[hungry1968]

The SurrenderCrats are going full steam ahead.
Having a Democrat Congress run the Iraq war would be
like having a Democrat Congress running the Vietnam war.
We all know what a mistake that was.
Posted by processor2 at 09:23 AM : Jul 17, 2007


You've been listening to Bush too much, instead of paying attention to reality. The Democrats aren't trying to run the war - they could have easily cut off funding. But if they did, then Bush would say, "We would have won in Iraq if the Dems didn't cut off the funding!!" He's the master of blaming everyone else for the disasters he's created. But now since the Democrats haven't tried to stop him, the burden of this war sits firmly on Bush's shoulders, and his shoulders alone.

The problem with the Democrats is that they're not enforcing the will of the people of this country. The people of this country, at least the 85% of us with brains, want an end to this war. They're really caught in a rock and a hard place, and I think that their best bet is to let Bush sink - alone.

[us18988]

Pelosi and Reid demand a withdrawal...

Interesting - these two, ***(less) Durbin, Obama and others have never donned the uniform of the United States military, have never served period except to take our tax dollars but have always dumbed down the military except when it came to Clinton's "humanitarian" wars - like bombing Serb civilians.

Maybe it is time Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, *** Durbin, Biden, Edwards, Dodd and a few others grabbed a steel helmet, a flak jacket and a carbine and did a stint on the streets of Baghdad the next time they demand an immediate surrender to Al Qaeda.

That is, if these mealy-mouths and surrender monkeys ever have the guts to do so.

[hungry1968]

Right, and the way to get the job done is file articles of impeechment against Bush and Cheney ASAP and get them OUT of power, once those murdering morons are gone, preferably in jail, then we can yank our people out of this cesspool of Iraq where we LOST 4 years ago and only succeeded in making it a terrorist training camp.
Posted by newster1 at 09:52 AM : Jul 17, 2007

You need 66% in the House, and 60% in the Senate to enforce the outcome of an impeachment. Because the Democrats don't hold a strong enough majority, the republicans would prevent Bush from being impeached. By trying to impeach and failing, it would appear to be an exoneration for Bush and all of his cronies.

[realpatriot1]

NavyRetired2,

This debate won't by itself get the job done but it is a step in the process. The Republicans who still support Bush are what's holding up getting the job done. They should have to defend their votes to sustain this failed policy.

If enough Republicans were to agree to a bipartison veto-proof solution there would be no need for a debate or one party seeking advantage over the other. If more Republicans followed Hagel instead of Bush this wouldn't be a partison war.

[briannorwood]

US18988:

Here's another who never wore a U.S. uniform... Richard Cheney! I guess you could say that George W. served proudly in the U.S. Military (wink, wink, nudge nudge).

I guess cowardice knows no boundaries!

[phlipster]

So we're supposed to keep the Iraqi people in mind. How about keeping our soldiers in mind. It is totally our bad for putting these people in this situation, but the fact that it has gone on so long is because people are not standing up and fighting for themselves because our soldiers are there fighting and dying for them.

[sjc_1]

I would give them a 6 month timeline and we are out of there. Redeploy most of the troops to the mountains between Afghanistan and Pakistan where the Taliban and al-Qaida are, so we can put a real dent in terrorism.

[gangesdak]

The Iraqi prime minister himself said that the US forces can leave his country any time. But what does he know about his own country? We know about his country. So, we will fight for you and die for you; that is our way to go to heaven.

[antoniof123]

I hope you clowns work for the next year without sleep. Go Harry keep them to the grindstone they hate that before you came the only reason they ever work was to try to force some moral policy on America. Now they are facing the end of there time keep it up make them stay until America sees what they are doing keeping our families in a meat grinder.

[tejasdemo]

Good. Go to hell Republicans !

[okmd58]

If the Dems in congress are so fired up about bringing home the troops, "Cut of the funding". You are in the majority, what's the problem!!!!!
Is it because you are gutless wonders & don't want the stigma of not funding our troops? You cannot have it both ways.

[j-whitman]

okmd58,,, Right now Bush & Cheney aren't listeninng to either republicans or democrats.
The vice-president, *** Cheney, has long favoured upping the threat of military action against Iran. He is being resisted by the secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice, and the defence secretary, Robert Gates.

- The Washington source said Mr Bush and Mr Cheney did not trust any potential successors in the White House, Republican or Democratic, to deal with Iran decisively. They are also reluctant for Israel to carry out any strikes because the US would get the blame in the region anyway.

[okmd58]

j-whitman ,, According to the Constitution, congress has the purse strings to cut off funding to this war. Again, if the Dems are so upset with this war then cut off funding. They won't because they are gutless!!!!!

[j-whitman]

Conservative owned Pittsburgh newspaper - Questions Bush's 'Mental Stability' --

The Pittsburgh newspaper owned by conservative billionaire Richard Mellon Scaife yesterday called the Bush administration's plans to stay the course in Iraq a "prescription for American suicide."

The editorial in the Tribune-Review added, "And quite frankly, during last Thursday's news conference, when George Bush started blathering about 'sometimes the decisions you make and the consequences don't enable you to be loved,' we had to question his mental stability."

It continued: "President Bush warns that U.S. withdrawal would risk 'mass killings on a horrific scale.' What do we have today, sir?

"If the president won't do the right thing and end this war, the people must. The House has voted to withdraw combat troops from Iraq by April. The Senate must follow suit.

Scaife has been a loyal backer of Republican politicians and many conservative causes, and funded a network of investigations into President Clinton during the 1990s.

[processor2]

The SurrenderCrats are going full steam ahead.

Having a Democrat Congress running the Iraq war would be
like having a Democrat Congress running the Vietnam war.

We all know what a mistake that was.

.

[processor2]

The SurrenderCrats are going full steam ahead.

Having a Democrat Congress running the Iraq war would be
like having a Democrat Congress running the Vietnam war.

We all know what a mistake that was.

.

[processor2]

The SurrenderCrats are going full steam ahead.

Having a Democrat Congress running the Iraq war would be
like having a Democrat Congress running the Vietnam war.

We all know what a mistake that was.

.

[j-whitman]

okmd58 -- You should watch CSPAN sometimes, you would learn there isn't enough democrat Senators to pass the votes with a majority vote like the House of Representives can do...
.. okmd58, you should stop listening to ignorant GOP rhetoric, it makes you sound really stupid.

[rafterman1]

===Having a Democrat Congress running the Iraq war would be like having a Democrat Congress running the Vietnam war. We all know what a mistake that was.===

No processor2, CONSERVATIVES were big gans of the Vietnam war, whether they were Dems or Repubs. Liberals wanted nothing to do with that war. Libs were correct then and they are corect now. Now we all know what a mistake electing conservatives was this last six years.

[j-whitman]

The vice-president, *** Cheney, has long favoured upping the threat of military action against Iran. He is being resisted by the secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice, and the defence secretary, Robert Gates.

The Washington source said Mr Bush and Mr Cheney did not trust any potential successors in the White House, Republican or Democratic, to deal with Iran decisively. They are also reluctant for Israel to carry out any strikes because the US would get the blame in the region anyway.

[j-whitman]

As I said 5 years ago Bush excellerated terrorism,,, As I said 4 years ago Bush would fail to make America safer --- I say now Bush Lost Iraq & is abusing our Armed Services.

[okmd58]

j-whitman,, I'm fully aware of what it takes to pass legislation, probably more than you. The Dems said they were going to put the country in a new direction if they were in charge. Just waiting for them to follow through on the promise.

[j-whitman]

Our troops are busting thier ***** off, under stressess you cannot begin to imagine with little rest.... Sunni's are now massacring Shiites, as I said they would do --- In a country that had nothing to do with 9/11.

[j-whitman]

okmd58,,, Start paying attention then Senator Warner & Lugar don't agree with Bush,, they are submitting legislation opposing Bush on Iraq,,, Whatch republican Senators stop thier legislation.

[prinzowhales]

Nothing like a rousing debate to ease the mind of dying soldiers. "Don't worry son, you may have lost both legs and a few yards of gut, but have hope...the Senate is debating."

Do kill some more time chatting while you wait for the Decider, Olmert and his chums to get the war on with Iran...then you can debate about that for a bit. Nero's reputed fiddling while Rome burned seems almost sane and humanitarian by comparison. Unfortunately, there is no Goth cavalry in Washington to drag one hundred worthless carcasses round and round the Reflecting Pool to illustrate the cost of procrastination....

[jedi08]

God the Dems are a bunch of idiots. WHy would they be wasting time with this all night debate. This is purly for show, they don't have the votes needed, so why do it. Because it looks good to the public (they think) thats why, except that their aproval rating is lower then Bushes. THe reason, all these pointless investigations and BS votes that accomplish nothing. If the Dems had some balls, they could of defunded the troops and ended the war, but they couldn't do that either because it might hurt them in 08. What a bunch of weather veins they are, always blowing witht the wind.

At least the right will stand up for what they think in right instead of always playing politics.

[realpatriot1]

okmd,

If you are so aware of the game of legislation how's come you don't blamee the obstructionist Republicans for subverting the will of the people?

The Democrats have set a new direction. The Republicans are fighting it and sticking with the failed policy of their party.

Beyond all the political gamesmanship on both sides lies the welfare of our troops and the voting will determine whether the politicians are either with them or against them.

[roger_inkart]

Time to man up Dems. Take these GOP ********** to task. DO NOT FLINCH. You are right and they are wrong. Get them ALL on record for stifling any kind of debate or legislation on the war in Iraq.

The GOP had better start doing as the nation wants, not what George "26%" Bush wants or they will find themselves tossed out of office next year.

Geez - you'd think that when the Republicans controlled the House, Senate and White House they'd have done more then handing a loaded pistol to the dems and painting a target on their heads.

[j-whitman]

I'm listening to the White House watering down the NIE -- These people should be immediatly locked up.

[okmd58]

j-whitman,, Isn't the democratic process amazing! Just get the votes to pass your surrender bill. Come on, you can do it! Maybe if you offer the politicians enough pork money for their back home projects you can get the votes needed.

[mike71067]

The Dumbocrat Congress has proven to be a miserable failure. Not because of the GOP or Bush, but because they themselves are fractured in their support for the war effort. The Dumbocrats want these "round the clock" debates to show their far-left constituents that they "mean bussiness"; however, many Dumbocrats do not differ much from the GOP in terms of how to handle the Iraq situation.

[j-whitman]

okmd58,,, Start paying attention, & get off the rhetoric of "surrender" --- Republican's Warner & Lugar & more say "Start Plans For Withdrawal In 120 Days" ---- You'll be hearing alot more of it this week.

[roger_inkart]

however, many Dumbocrats do not differ much from the GOP in terms of how to handle the Iraq situation.
Posted by mike71067 at 11:29 AM : Jul 17, 2007

Except that one party wants to end the war and the other wants to keep forging ahead with a failed policy because it favors loyalty to party over loyalty to the nation. Small difference.

The Republicans still fail to grasp how much supporting this war and Bush's agenda will be the touch of death.

Which is fine with me. Your whole stupid party can commit political suicide join McCain for all I care. The nation would do better if all of you hypocritical GOP clowns were tossed out of office.

[bluestardad]

Dems are just as responsible as Gop!

Carl Levin and Steny Hoyer are bought by AIPAC! SO THEY WONT CUT FUNDING!

[j-whitman]

mike71067, okmd58, jedi08 ---- You 3 want to show your patriotism goes a bit beyond party limits ???? Pay more attention to what is going on in the Senate & less time echoing ignorant rhetoric..... SUPPORT THE TROOPS

[SIDNEYWILLIAMSMD]

This is stupid behavior. First they try to cut off the supplies and ammunition to the troops. Now they want to obstruct the progress in Iraq. Looks like they are hoping to cause the American Expeditionary Forces under General Patreaus to fail. Cannot remember when any Congress in history actually was supporting the enemy. They should be figuring what extra weapons and ammo, and new technologies to rush to the troops. This is so political it stinks. Incidently war does not stop because one side leaves a battlefield, usually the enemy will pursue until one side is vanquished. Al Qaeda is putting a lot of emphasis on Iraq, like Japan did at Iwo Jima.

[okmd58]

realpatriot1,, The will of the people is decided when elections happen, not by polls skewed by the liberal media. Our country is a representative democracy, not a poll percentage majority! If the people are so upset, they will give you dems more power in the next election cycle. Then you can shape the country into what ever you want, as long as you have the votes.

[okmd58]

mike71067, Just using the same rights everyone else has in the country. "Freedom of speech" You have your opinion, I have mine. But saying I'm not patriotic because my opinion does not go along with yours sounds rather, shall I say, Socialist, Progressive, Environmentalist or even a little communist.

[j-whitman]

doctorwho4,,, Bush allready cut training & much equipment isn't being repaired or replaced in Iraq.... Bush gutted normal military procurement. As he did intelligence & FEMA.

Years before the war began, Pentagon officials knew of the effectiveness of another type of vehicle that better shielded troops from bombs like those that have killed Kincaid and 1,500 other soldiers and Marines. But military officials repeatedly balked at appeals %u2014 from commanders on the battlefield and from the Pentagon's own staff %u2014 to provide the life-saving Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle, or MRAP, for patrols and combat missions, USA TODAY found.

[roger_inkart]

Cannot remember when any Congress in history actually was supporting the enemy.
Posted by doctorwho4 at 11:38 AM : Jul 17, 2007

They never have. That's just a baseless talking point that morons defending GW's war use to try to stifle any debate.

As the war supporters get backed more and more into a corner, we'll see a lot more of this kind of inflamatory rhetoric. But the outcome is already determined: we will withdraw from Iraq. Bush and his mindless minions will have to accept that.

[j-whitman]

And another Bush appointee bites the dust:

Jim Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs -- Just resigned

[SIDNEYWILLIAMSMD]

Senate Democratic Agenda for All Night Session:

Write bill to give public funds to Al Gore's concert to benefit transgender fish mutated by pollution in SF Bay called success by mainstream media.

Approve resolution praising Jesse Jackson's unity of the oppressed speech in Pelosi's hometown of San Francisco about black on black violence which drew crowds of angry queers.

Support Barak Hussein Obama assertion that he's just as much a feminist as Hillary is a negro.

Resolution to support Hillary who says Bill can't invalidate her feelings.

Repudiate John Edwards statements that Democrats aren't irrelevant just misunderstood.

New Resolution: Stating the US has been in Afghanistan longer than Iraq, and the Afghanistan government is less competent than the Iraq government, therefore new blueprint needed to surrender to Al Qaeda around the globe.

Resolution placing Jesse Jackson in charge of planned parenthood at National level.

Resolution placing Al Sharpton as Radio Commission Czar to enforce the re-instated FAIRNESS DOCTRINE for talk radio. His first act will be to send Imus to Guantanomo.

Resolution requesting President Bush to pardon Rep. William Jefferson, D-La and to impound the funds found in his freezer for the next Save The Earth Concert.

Resolution approving John Edwards contracts to do Pantene and Legs commercials with all proceeds going to the George Soros fund to liberate Iran.

[j-whitman]

doctorwho4,,,, None of those you mentioned managed to start a war on invented intelligence, then immediatly loose that same war or destroyed the Middle East or our National Security or did they abuse our troops.

[gunnerv1]

Just another loser DimocRATic tactic.
Remember DImocRats lied, Vietnamise died.