Filibuster Busted: 7 GOP Senators Call For Debate

According to the Washington Post and others, Norm Coleman (R-MN.), Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE), Sen. Gordon Smith (R-OR), Sen. Olympia J. Snowe, (R-ME), Sen. John Warner (R-VA), Sen. George V. Voinovich (R-OH) have pledged their support for a "full and open debate" on Iraq.

The seven are pushing a "measure criticizing the White House plan to send 21,500 more troops to Iraq." This is a reversal of Republican behavior -- including Warner, who is the author of the resolution -- over the past three days.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has been unable to bring the resolution to a vote because Republicans wanted to vote on alternatives, a CYA-for-2008 gesture, in my opinion. "One, by Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), expresses support for the mission but lists benchmarks for the Iraqi government to meet to demonstrate its commitment. The other, by Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH), opposes any cutoff of funds for troops in the field."

On Wednesday, Reid said he was giving up. The gang of seven circulated their letter to leadership in both parties overnight. From MSNBC:

Reid spokesman Jim Manley said in a statement: "Senator Reid gave Senator Warner and the others a chance to vote for their own resolution on Monday, but only two of them chose to do so. Hopefully this letter signifies that the others have had a change of heart, and will be willing to vote for their own resolution in the future."

After reading the text on the Senate floor, Warner hurried back to his office, declining to answer questions. He would not specify whether he and his allies would seek to block specific bills, including an huge spending package that the Senate is expected to take up today, to fund government activities for the current fiscal year. Warner did indicate he will attempt to amend the funding package with his resolution.

Democrats may take a more streamlined approach to the resolution, according to AP.

The bare-bones approach is intended to persuade Republicans to break ranks with the GOP and express their frustration with a war without turning off Democrats who want to end the war by cutting funding.

Note that none of the seven have anything on their web site "news" sections dealing with this change of heart.

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