The Song Remains the Same..

though the shoe is on the other foot:

Courtesy of Bob Geiger

Forcing his Republican colleagues to put up or shut up on the notion of an up-or-down vote, Senate Majority leader Harry Reid (D-NV) just moments ago announced that he will immediately file a cloture motion on the Reed-Levin troop redeployment bill and, if Republicans follow through with a filibuster, will place the Senate in a prolonged all-night session Tuesday to force a true continuation of debate.

"Now, Republicans are using a filibuster to block us from even voting on an amendment that could bring the war to a responsible end," said Reid. "They are protecting the President rather than protecting our troops. They are denying us an up or down – yes or no – vote on the most important issue our country faces."

The Reed-Levin amendment to the Department of Defense (DoD) Authorization Bill requires George W. Bush to "commence the reduction of the number of United States forces in Iraq not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act" and mandates a withdrawal of most combat forces by April 30, 2008. more

It wasn't that long ago that the Dems were the ones resisting a straight up or down vote on judicial nominees with threats of a filibuster and the GOP was crying foul. It's behavior like this that has soured many Americans on the political process. Each party behaves as poorly as the other when in power. The Dems would be much better off focusing on bills that they know they can get passed then spending time on those they know they can't. Because should 2008 roll around and the people find this majority party as ineffective and/or corrupt as the last there's a very real chance that neither party will have control of both the House and the Senate. (Which may happen anyway.)