GOP senators push vote on troop buildup

Los Angeles Times ^ | February 7, 2007 5:39 PM PST, | Noam N. Levey, Times Staff Writer

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Seven Republican lawmakers threatened Wednesday to tie up Senate business until a resolution opposing President Bush's planned troop buildup gets a vote, saying they will try to attach the measure to future legislation.

"The war in Iraq is the most pressing issue of our time. It urgently deserves the attention of the full Senate," said Sen. John W. Warner (R-Va), who sponsored the measure criticizing the White House plan to add 21,500 more troops to Iraq.

Warner and six other GOP senators sent a letter to Senate leaders of both parties Wednesday evening. Among the signatories was Sen. George V. Voinovich (R-Ohio), who had not previously expressed support for the Warner measure.

The procedural gambit does not guarantee the Senate will vote anytime soon on Bush's plans to send more troops into Baghdad to control sectarian violence there. But it may further complicate Senate debate on the war, just as Senate Democratic leaders seemed prepared to let the Democratic majority in the House take up the legislative challenge to the White House.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) and her lieutenants have said they plan to consider a resolution like Warner's as soon as Monday.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) had been pushing for a vote this week on the Warner resolution.

But Senate Republicans — including Warner — protested Monday that they were not allowed to bring up alternative resolutions and successfully denied Reid the 60 votes he needed to formally bring up the measure.

The GOP demanded votes on two alternative measures. One, by Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), expressed support for the mission, ............. The other, by Sen. Judd Gregg (R-N.H.), opposed any cut-off of funds for troops in the field.

[WVNan]

I am seriously angry with Warner. Shall we work to get him defeated in his next election? Shall we tell him so?

[Logical me]

Damn, how much longer can we put up with this bunch of childishness eggheads of nitwits we have running the Country. We are at such an important crossroads and all these little babies can do is mumble, cry, have tantrums and who looses in the end, all Americans. We should throw all the nitwits out of Washington as soon as each one comes up for election or reelection.

[aquila48]

"Seven Republican lawmakers threatened Wednesday to tie up Senate business until a resolution opposing President Bush's planned troop buildup gets a vote..."

I hope they keep their promise. Everyday they're tied up is a great day for America.

[oldbill]

Don't worry - Warner will cave in for the Democrats and get enough RINOs to beat the filibuster.

[redgirlinabluestate]

Shall we work to get him defeated in his next election? Shall we tell him so?

Yes and yes.

[Howlin]

Is he pushing HIS amendment/agreement, or the Dems?

Does he WANT the vote to go against the war?

Am I living in a parallel universe?

[Marine_Uncle]

I'll probably be signing off soon E. But damn. These people. Don't they get any updates on what is planned in Iraq. Don't they see finally there is a positive major push to eradicate the frigen insurgents, religious resitors etc..
Damn it. Maybe I am a bit naive. But unless it is total political bull shit, these clowns must be rather stupid at best.
Maliki and crew is finally starting to behave like leaders and get tough. What are these clowns trying to do, (assuming such as Warner are actually somewhat on the level). Is he getting senile, or has he been a clever horse *hit artist over the years pretending to really support US efforts to go after the many forms of radical Islam, and those rogue nations that support chaos in the mid east and elsewhere.
Don't these clowns have the capability to stand back and closely evaluate the real conditions (the whole frigen picture of what is at stake, not just a few frigen no brainers), and realize they are undermining the whole initiative to effectively fight this GWOT.
Perhaps I have answered my own question. Yes they many simply really be dumb asses so accustomed to getting good salaries for little brain work to make wise choices.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

It really is about them and their reelection....no concern about our soldiers as far as I can see....

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

He is up for relection....

[unspun]

Pay attention, Republican voters, volunteers, and contributors.

[Sunnyflorida]

"I am seriously angry with Warner. Shall we work to get him defeated in his next election? :

I don't think he needs any help.

[Faith]

I'm amazed at Voinovich. He saw what happened to DeWine in Ohio, and yet he still wants to be the maverick.

[Marine_Uncle]

Your probably 100% correct with no butts. At least Maliki is finally pursuaded to do what should have been started many months ago. Do have a great upcoming day. I gotta start work at the funny farm at 2pm and close the store at 11PM. So I may not be tuning in for most of tommorow.
Ernest. To many folk, the Home Depots they go to in perhaps nice areas, are nothing like the zoo I go to five or six times a week in a rather how should I say, low rent district in Philly.
It is a wonder I have the mind to on occasion, respond to you good folk, after dealing days on with the shit that goes on in this place. That being said. See ya soon on the board.

[CyberAnt]

I believe that's what Hugh Hewitt's "pledge" was all about.

All the senate repubs have been warned - WE WILL NOT SUPPORT THEM FINANCIALLY IF THEY DESERT OUR TROOPS.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Get some rest for your hard working body....wish I could still do that kind of work effort....

[ClaireSolt]

Although this is primarily a Dem resoution, all we ever har about is the few R's who are for it. The Dems are hiding under their desks/

[Soul Seeker]

From my POV, I don't perceive the threat.

If Repubican weasels wish to stall any and all Liberal Democratic business for the next two years, albeit for their own grandstanding treasonous motivations, I'm all for it.

Too bad the other 40 some Senators not named won't agree with me on that. Senate civility and all of that elitist garbage plus their precious pork would get in the way.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Robert Novak puts up his two cents worth:

Who Won In the Senate?

***********************AN EXCERPT ****************************

By Robert D. Novak Thursday, February 8, 2007; Page A21

Listening to Minority Leader Mitch McConnell boast last weekend that he had the votes to prevent closing off Senate debate on Iraq, Republicans opposing President Bush's troop surge feared the worst. The new Republican leader sounded as though he wanted to prevent passage of an anti-surge resolution at the cost of making his party look obstructionist. That's exactly what happened.

The result of McConnell's tactics is that no resolution will be passed by the Senate anytime soon. The White House was overjoyed. But Tuesday's headlines indicated a public relations fiasco for Republicans: " GOP Stalls Debate on Troop Increase" (The Post), " In Senate, GOP Blocks a Debate Over Iraq Policy" (New York Times), " Vote on Iraq is blocked by GOP" (USA Today). Considering that outcome after a tactical victory, the Republicans might have been better off with a strategic defeat. It is unclear who won in the Senate this week.

[Howlin]

Remind me again that Novak is a Republican.