Paybacks Will Be Hell

Now we know for sure. There has never been a doubt that this war was a GOP war, now it's official. Below is the list of Republicans up for re-election in 2008 that voted against debating the Iraq surge:

Lamar Alexander (R-TN)
Saxby Chambliss (R-GA)
Thad Cochran (R-MS)
John Cornyn (R-TX)
Larry Craig (R-ID)
Elizabeth Dole (R-NC)
Pete Domenici (R-NM)
Mike Enzi (R-WY)
Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
Chuck Hagel (R-NE)
Jim Inhofe (R-OK)
Mitch McConnell (R-KY)
Pat Roberts (R-KS)
Jeff Sessions (R-AL)
Gordon Smith (R-OR)
Ted Stevens (R-AK)
John Sununu (R-NH)
John Warner (R-VA)

I hope these folks know how bad we'll make them regret this vote in 2008.

The Democrats stood as one and not a single Democrat voted against cloture. Harry Reid did but it doesn't count as it was a procedural step that will allow him to bring up the legislation again at a later date.

Lieberman, true to form, voted with his buddies on the wrong side of the aisle.

Note too that Warner and Hagel voted to prevent debate on their own resolution. Man that is party loyalty.

I was against a "non-binding resolution" because I thought is was an empty gesture but it turns out to have value after all. This vote can be used to beat Republicans over the head for the next two years. Recognize that because of the Senate filibuster and presidential veto it is going to be damn near impossible for Democrats to end this war alone. We do have some options and one that screams for action is to continue to bring these resolutions up for a vote. We need to shine the light on this mess and force the chicken shit Republicans to keep standing up with Bush in support of this war. They made this bed now let them lie in it.

I know that it seems like forever, but 2008 is coming. I know it means hundreds of more American deaths and thousands and thousands of more Iraqi deaths but when 2008 comes we'll elect people who will end this war. The more we can force the Republicans to block our efforts to end this disaster publicly and in the harsh light of day the more power we will gain. The majority of America is with us on this. Obstructing even the useless "non-binding" half-measures will allow the American people to see who wants to prolong the quagmire, and who wants to end it.

When patience has such a high price it is doubly hard...but patient we must be. The Republicans that continue to stand with Bush on this American nightmare will rue the day.