November 01, 2005

Dems Shut the Senate to Media, Force Presence of All Senators

Pandagon has it from Raw Story (emphasis mine):

The Senate's Democratic leader Harry Reid (D-NV) unexpectedly pulled the Senate into secret session Tuesday afternoon in order to have closed discussion of Iraq intelligence, RAW STORY has learned. Specifically, the senator sought to discuss a Senate Select Committee on Inteligence report on the failure of Iraqi WMD intelligence. The maneuver immediately shuttered the doors of the Senate and cleared the Senate press galleries. It has been invoked just 53 previous times in the history of the body. It was last used during the Clinton impeachment hearings.

Crooks and Liars has video: Harry Reid shuts down the Senate. Watch Frist get pissy.

Posted by binky at November 1, 2005 04:34 PM | TrackBack | Posted to Politics


Comments

You know, I finally read an article on this, and truthfully I just don't get it. What's the tactic? How is it supposed to attain its own purported ends?

In any case, I think it's pretty funny to watch Republicans, putatively the party of rules, constantly bitch and moan when rules are used against them. So much for strict interpretation and stability and so on -- we'll play the game by the rules until we lose something under them (say, face), then we'll change the rules.

It's sort of pitiful. But seriously, an explanation from the politically savvy in attendance would be deeply appreciated, whether on this thread or in a separate post.

Posted by: Moon at November 2, 2005 12:15 PM | PERMALINK

It worked (or did so far) in two ways. In a purely tactical point, it made Frist come out and declare publicly that the Phase II report on Iraq (Phase I looked only at the CIA and how it performed; it was released pre-election, and didn't cause a stir; Phase II was supposed to look at how the CIA's intel was used and whether the White House mis-used the intelligence, conclusions, or both) will be given a public progress report on November 14th. Thus, either the Phase II report gets an actual due date by the 14th, or Ried gets another club to beat Frist with.

More strategicly, it moves Alito off the front page, and puts Plame/Libby/Iraq back on. Point to the Dems.

Posted by: baltar at November 2, 2005 12:21 PM | PERMALINK

I've said it before, and I'll say it again - the Dems should thank their lucky stars that someone as inept and flawed as Bill Frist is the majority leader. Oh, no, he's "personally affronted"! Uh, somehow I think that national security is slightly more security that the big whiner's feelings.

And of course it's worth remembering 1) that Frist is yet another example of a symbolic White House pick for a top post who lacks much skill, but scores a political point or two at the time of the announcement and 2) Frist is gone at the end of '06. So the Dems need to take advantage of the coming year!

Posted by: Armand at November 3, 2005 09:49 AM | PERMALINK

And to borrow a phrase: what boo-hoo babies.

Gettin' what they gave down in Texas too (another judge bites the dust).

Posted by: binky at November 3, 2005 11:08 PM | PERMALINK
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