[…] a modest proposal. Why don’t the Senate Democrats put forward a proposed rule that the debate:
(1) is subject to any and all amendments (for binding resolutions, for the “no cutting off funds” proposal that McConell wants) and that there shall be no limit on the debate;
(2) will be held from 9 am to 7pm every weekday, Monday through Friday, until the debate is concluded;
(3) will require, just like the Clinton impeachment trial, that every Senator be physically present in their seats for all of the debate (I mean, the issues are at least equally important).Maybe the inability of Tim Johnson to be present will cost the Democrats a vote. Maybe the Republicans can filibuster adoption of this rule. But at least the Democrats would have a clean record on which to argue that the Republicans really do not want to debate. If the Republicans manage to get the substantive votes to adopt some alternative resolution, so be it. They will be stuck with their vote come 2008.
And, as a cherry on top, the rule should also specifically invite the President of the Senate to preside personally over the entire debate, every weekday, until it is over. Let’s see Dick Cheney say he has more important things to do.
I get tired of procedural maneuvers that no one but the most hardened political junkies can understand. Get the issue front and center and see who’s for it and who’s ag’in’ it.
Now playing: Exposure by Peter Gabriel from the album “II”