I'm coming in late on the energy bill. Help me get this straight.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

The Republicans lost the vote. They then held voting open until they were able to sway some no votes in their party to yes votes and quickly closed voting when they won? Is that what happened, or if not, what did I miss?

[converted_democrat]

1. You got it......n/t

[Lone_Star_Dem]

2. Can they do that?

Do you know of this is within the rules or not?

[converted_democrat]

7. I honestly don't know if it's legal, but they did it on the CAFTA Bill too.

Pelosi is pissed and is going to hold conference, or at least that's what Raw says.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

12. I'm pissed, too.

I'm sick to death of their strong arm tactics to get their way. This is BS and it makes our government look like a bunch of thugs.

I suppose they must feel their base has no interest in following the rules so long as they win.

[deadparrot]

3. Dems were up 210-212, 2 votes flipped to make it 212-210.

Both votes that flipped were GOP. They held the voting open until they flipped and went ahead, then closed the voting.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

8. I see Pelosi is upset about this

Good! It sounds like our Dems did a fine job today.

I'm still not clear on if holding the vote open until they got what they wanted and then quickly closing it was within the rules, however.

[merwin]

4. You're not the only one that apparently came in late on that one.

[ananda]

5. They've done that before.

Sheesh.

[cyberpj]

6. Reuters: Delay, Barton, Hastert and Blunt circled the chamber during vote:

When over two dozen Republicans initially voted no, DeLay, Barton, House Speaker Dennis Hastert and new Majority Leader Roy Blunt circled the chamber and cajoled the holdouts.

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N075245.htm

[CottonBear]

9. Creepy mental image of the Republicans sharks circling the chamber.

:scared:

[Lone_Star_Dem]

10. Thanks for the link

This is a keeper... "Democrats in the chamber chanted "shame, shame, shame" as the final tally was announced."

That article helped me put it all in perspective, thanks again. :hi:

[cyberpj]

13. You're welcome - isn't that "circling the floor" a great image? nt.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

16. It fits them to a T.

They smelled blood in the water and were going in for the kill.

That they keep getting away with this makes me ill.

[deadparrot]

15. Like vultures. nt

[Blue_In_AK]

17. I visualized hungry wolves...

...but sharks, vultures -- all are appropriate. They really do make a mockery of our representative government.

[seafan]

11. They also strong-armed the Medicare bill exactly the same way.

It was done at 3 a. m.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

14. That one I recall

I was wondering if this was a similar situation.