ProgressOhio

I just got a mass-email from Senator Carl Levin, asking me to write my Senator, so Levin can get 60 votes to pass an Iraq Withdrawal Timetable in the Senate. His email said, in part:

"I, along with Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island, will push our amendment in the Senate to force that change in course in Iraq. If we can get the 60 votes needed to break the Republican leadership's filibuster [by passing a Cloture Motion] and pass our amendment, it will dramatically increase the pressure on the President to change course and end his failed Iraq policy."

Here is my reply:

Senator Levin,

You only need 51 votes to pass legislation through the Senate, not 60. Make the Republicans filibuster, if necessary.

Here's what Harry Reid should say: "I hope that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle vote with the rest of America and agree to set at timetable to leave Iraq. If they choose not to, well, all of America will witness how unwilling the Republicans are to listen to the people. Americans want this amendment to pass. It's time for the Senate to represent the people - the will of the people." Then Harry DOES NOT offer a cloture motion, but lets the Republicans filibuster.

Look, even if the Democrats get their 60 votes, President Bush will veto the bill. But the Senate Democrats have to FIGHT for what the American people want. Either way the Democrats handle this (making the Republicans filibuster or offering a cloture motion), the Republicans will say, "the Democrat Party is wasting the People's Time and is getting nothing done." ...This in spite of the fact that the People will see that it is actually the Republicans who are wasting the People's Time by blocking legislation which the People so desperately want.