One of the defining characteristics of the GOP for the last 15 years and this administration in particular is relentlessness. If at first people don't believe the lie, pound pound it home at every opportunity. Evidence mounts that Iraq is a colossal failure? Shout "Progress!" from the rooftops. The country is appalled that the federal government would consider intervening in the private medical decisions of a husband and wife? Convene a special session of Congress to address the burning national issue of Terry Schiavo's life support. Gitmo and the Special Romney Double Gitmo.
The list, of course, goes on. The machine goes on. And on. And on. It never stops. It doesn't rest. If you're marginally sensitive and reflective, it doesn't let you rest. It twists your guts, keeps you tossing and turning in your sleep, captures your thoughts in moments of inattention and leads you down the path to dreary daymares of a crumbling republic.
In stark contrast, our Dem leaders have so far been more relent-full. But now is the perfect time to turn the tables.
We've gotten through one all-night filibuster. The republicans were prepared for it, talking points polished. It's not a filibuster. It's a procedural roadblock. It's the Dems who don't want a vote. In fact, it's Harry Reid who vowed to filibuster! (via TPM). And the Grand Obstructionist Party blocked the vote. No strain on the system, a momentary blip on the media quickly subsumed into business as usual.
It doesn't have to be that way. Republican obstructionism doesn't have to fade into background noise like yesterday's march. Reid et al should make them stay up all night, every night, until it seeps into the general consciousness what GOP Senators are (or, more precisely, aren't) doing.
Reintroduce Reed-Levin, or some other plan, constantly. Schedule debates on war-ending measures several times a week (Senate proceduralists our there - can this be done?). Keep the pressure on. Deprive them of rest and respite.
Be relentless.