So filibuster already

Dare I say it? Do I let my hopes out of the box?

Did we get Harry Reid’s damned attention when we got snippy and reminded him that we did not flunk Civics and know what the hell constitutes a filibuster, and what is just parliamentary masturbation masquerading as a filibuster?

Could be.

Think Progress is reporting that he is calling their bluff. If they don’t allow an up or down vote, on Tuesday night the cots come out:

Moments ago, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) announced that in response to conservative obstructionism, he plans to force war supporters to physically remain in the Senate and filibuster Iraq withdrawal legislation.

Reid accused conservatives of “protecting the President rather than protecting our troops” by “denying us an up or down vote on the most important issue our country faces.” He said that if a vote on the Reed/Levin Iraq legislation is not allowed today or tomorrow, he will keep the Senate in session “straight through the night on Tuesday” and force a filibuster. From Reid’s speech:

Republicans are using a filibuster to block us from even voting on an amendment that could bring the war to a responsible end. 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.

I would like to inform the Republican leadership and all my colleagues that we have no intention of backing down.

If Republicans do not allow a vote on Levin/Reed today or tomorrow, we will work straight through the night on Tuesday.

The American people deserve an open and honest debate on this war, and they deserve an up or down vote on this amendment to end it.

Well, Amen and Hallelujah! This fighting Dem has just one thing to say…What took you so fucking long?

The always-excellent Bob Geiger has more.

[Cross-posted from Watching Those We Chose]