7 GOP Senators backtrack: Now they want Iraq Debate!

[npincus]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/07/AR2007020702550_pf.html

Hmmm... did they get an earful from their constituents, perhaps?

Senate Republicans who earlier this week helped block deliberations on a resolution opposing President Bush's new troop deployments in Iraq changed course yesterday and vowed to use every tactic at their disposal to ensure a full and open debate.

In a letter distributed yesterday evening to Senate leaders, John W. Warner (Va.), Chuck Hagel (Neb.) and five other GOP supporters of the resolution threatened to attach their measure to any bill sent to the floor in the coming weeks. Noting that the war is the "most pressing issue of our time," the senators declared: "We will explore all of our options under the Senate procedures and practices to ensure a full and open debate."

<snip>

But some Republicans were uneasy about appearing to have stymied the debate. The letter appeared so suddenly that, although it was addressed to Reid, the Democratic leader had not seen his copy before Warner read the text on the Senate floor.

"Monday's procedural vote should not be interpreted as any lessening of our resolve to go forward advocating the concepts" of the resolution, the letter said. "The current stalemate is unacceptable to us and to the people of this country."

[AndyA]

1. I called Coburn and Inhofe, and it was apparent to me their office was

getting calls.

Or, their staffers have just labeled me a librul, to be disregarded. :(

[emulatorloo]

2. It seemed bizarre to me that they were all lining up to protect Bushco

I still would love to know the inside story on this.

[npincus]

3. Flip-Floppers!

The wanted to debate before they didn't want to debate.

[ninkasi]

4. Could it be because the House

got tired of waiting for the Senate to move, and has scheduled debates of their own?

[Homer12]

5. I think they realized they were digging....

..Their own political graves in a lost fight. The houses actions raised the ante and flushed out the Publicons in the senate.

[ninkasi]

6. That sounds right

I don't think they've gotten used to being the minority party yet. This just makes them look like the hypocrites they are.