Liveblog XV - Filibuster All Night Long / Defense Authorization Bill

Liveblog XVI is up now.  Thanks, shayera.

The is debating the Levin-Reed Amendment to the defense appropriations bill which requires redeployment of troops out of Iraq within 120 days of enactment.

Harry Reid has requsted a simple majority vote on the Levin-Reed Amendment to the Defense Authorization Bill.

Reed is "Jack Reed" of Rhode Island a Democrat and Levin is "Carl Levin" of Illinios also as it happens is a Democrat.  Worth noting as it is the Republicans who refuse to budge on our troop deployments.

Text of the amendment is here: S. 2766

The Republicans are filibustering and Harry Reid says that they have to actually debate in this filibuster rather than simply voting on cloture to quash the effort to get an up or down simple majority vote.

So thirty hours of debate is the order of the day, night and day again.

This is not political theater.  This is democracy folks and had we done this before we went into Iraq we might have avoided this fiasco.

Please DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS DIARY to keep the rec list clear for only ONE of these threads ONLY RECOMMEND THE MOTHERSHIP DIARY:

Liveblog Mothership - GOoPer Senate Filibuster on Iraq

Rules:
No Photos or Images

Please try to add content to the best of your ability when you comment so that you are making a record for people who will read the liveblog later.

Also it is very helpful to identify the Senator you are livebloging :)

Volunteers should publish a new diary when current Live Blog reaches 200 comments.

You can watch on C-Span2 and listen in on C-Span Radio.

Liveblog Volunteers so far:

  1. Liveblog

  2. AgressiveProgressive

  3. Oreo

  4. Marcus Tullius

  5. SallyCat

  6. Builderman

  7. Chrispy67

  8. Andre in Atlanta

  9. Ellicatt

 10. Cedwyn THE MOTHERSHIP

(NOTE TO VOLUNTEERS:  Send a heads up to cedwyn at gmail dot com when you are getting ready to post your diary, and please preserve the transcription section like it was done in the Mothership!)

 11.  Ninepatch - congrats, great auntie!

 12. Aimeeinkc - whose kids are sleeping now :)

 13. inclusiveheart

 14. pseudopod

 15. joanneleon (me)

 16. shayera

 17. canoeist

 18. andyj2287

 19. robroser

 20. builderman

 

More volunteers are needed! Copy & paste and you're on your way.

•  Tips and volunteers please

  Please leave a response to this comment if you can volunteer to do one of the upcoming liveblogs

  by joanneleon on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 07:56:38 PM PDT

  •  I can do another once we pass midnight

    not before though.

    by Builderman on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 07:58:08 PM PDT

    •  Ah, good point!

      We can all do another one after midnight right?  

      by joanneleon on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 07:59:51 PM PDT

      •  by which time zone?

        is that midnight EST or PST?  what rules koslandia?  if it's EST, both Liveblog and myself can do another one.

        by Cedwyn on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:06:24 PM PDT

        •  midnight east coast - 9 here in the west..

          by Chrispy67 on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:07:04 PM PDT

        •  koslandia = PST

          I thought the rule of thumb is where a host is located.

          Tho' to be honest I sort of wish kos makes this clear. put a clock on front page of something. (Koslandia time is now... GMT)

          by fugue on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:11:14 PM PDT

          •  According to ek hornbeck,

            The software allows another at 12:00am Eastern.

            Fwiw

            by Marcus Tullius on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:16:44 PM PDT

        •  Cedwyn I updated the list

          up til liveblog #20.  Just realized maybe that wasn't my job.  We have more volunteers, so please let me know if I should continue to line people up or not.

          by joanneleon on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:12:20 PM PDT

          •  Yes

            I had emailed cedwyn and was given 16 or 17, so now I have no idea where I'm going.  

            by fabooj on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:17:09 PM PDT

          •  new line up:

            16. shayera

            17. canoeist

            18. andyj2287

            19. robroser

            20. builderman

            21.  donnas

            22.  Marcus

            by Cedwyn on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:20:52 PM PDT

            •  Thanks

              I'll leave it up to you from here on.  

              OvertheEdge has also volunteered.
              http://www.dailykos.com/...

              by joanneleon on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:24:43 PM PDT

      •  i'm afk for twenty

        it's best to handle volunteering w/in a diary...i was just wanting a heads up so i could update the motheship in a timelymanner.

        fabooj - sorry; i didn't hear back from you, so things went on.  if you can only post now and not later, we can bump the list a notch or you can take 23.  

        i'll be back soon.

        by Cedwyn on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:25:52 PM PDT

    •  I'm hoping to get one more before midnight

      and put you in for #18

      If we're lucky this one will last til 11:30, we'll get a volunteer for #17 and then you and others can pick up again.

      by joanneleon on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:02:54 PM PDT

      •  I Can Do It

        I just sent an e-mail to cedwynN at gmail dot com offering to post a diary if it's within the next few hours.

        Just let me know what I need to do.

        by donnas on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:06:04 PM PDT

    •  Same here.

      I can be ready by about 10:00 pm PDT.  If we don't have volunteers by then, I'm back in.

      by Marcus Tullius on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:06:02 PM PDT

    •  Change: please do #20

      Thanks!

      by joanneleon on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:06:19 PM PDT

      •  Could I get dropped

        going to take a short nap, be back early morning

        by Builderman on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 09:13:42 PM PDT

  •  I'm willing to do another, too n/t

    by Chrispy67 on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 07:59:18 PM PDT

  •  woohoo!

    joanneleon XV in da house.  I'm a wimp; I have to go to bed soon.

    by Caldonia on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 07:59:37 PM PDT

  •  Me, too

    First:  I did not have the baby - my nephew and his wife had the baby, I'm the Great Auntie!  I always say "our baby" when there's a new wee one in the family.  Tabitha & Jimmy are the proud parents, we're the whole rest of the village. :-)

    You can put me in again after midnight - this is just too damn important, and, besides, I've never seen this happen before.

    I like history, I like living it as a Democrat even more.

    by Ninepatch on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:04:07 PM PDT

    •  will change the diary

      and congrats great auntie.  I'm sure you are a great auntie in many ways.

      by joanneleon on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:16:18 PM PDT

  •  Actually, Carl Levin..

    Is from Michigan.

    But thanks so very much for doing this...you deserve as much credit as Harry Reid!:-)

    by GainesT1958 on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:16:48 PM PDT

  •  You know, if my dairy get's posted within the

    36 minutes, I'll be able to offer my tomorrow diary as well. ;-)

    by shayera on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:16:56 PM PDT

  •  joanne, would you update diary text?

    It says Levin is from Illinois.  He's from Michigan.

    Sorry in advance if this has already been mentioned.

    by lurks a lot on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:25:16 PM PDT

  •  joanneleon: Please edit, Levin is from Michigan

    Carl Levin is the senior Senator from Michigan.

    Also, change this:

    The is debating the Levin-Reed Amendment

    To read:

    The Senate is debating the Levin-Reed Amendment

    Thanks.

    by dconrad on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:25:53 PM PDT

•  Sherrod Brown D-OH

  too many of our colleagues are more interested in protecting this pres than they are of protectging our troops

  problem is simply this, it seems like every tues pres cheney comes and speaks to the repubs for lunch

  limo comes and drops him off... arm twisting and lobbying by this admin

  that's why it's so hard to get to sixty

  pres simply dug in and not listen

  in my state of ohio... shouted from ballot box we need new course in iraq

  dems in conroll of congress immed began to work to end war... implement iraq study group recommendations... executing a strategy to combat terrorism and make this country safer

  global terrorist attacks have increased seven fold since we entered iraq

  our war in iraq is best thing that happened to jihadists... seven times worldwide

  dems brought not one piece of legis to redeploy but many... each and every time repubs defeated or pres vetoed

  same struggle in this chamber betw new direction and more of the same

  means more loved ones wounded, more killed... 156 killed in my state... ohio can't afford more of the same

  ohio families have had it with hollow promises by the pres

  cleveland pres used grand pronouncemtns of success to buy more time... time and again those pronoun were followed by more chaos.. more names added to the list

  35K have suffered serious injuries... every year iraq slips further into civil war

  war of choice, failed intel... adding insult to injury usatoday article .. our troops are still without lifesaving equip they need

  2002 we began quest paul bremer... we still send our troops into harms way without that armor

  104 degrees, aren't protected from IED.. article highlighted lack of planning...humvees have very low ground clearance and bottom is flat, troops suffer brunt of impact.. new vehicles v-shaped, few in theater have proven effectiveness.. what infuriates me ... pentagon failed to work hard to provide body armor and again did not immed work to fix humvees susceptibility to IED... arrogance and stubborness kept admin from doing right thing

  stubb has led to failed policy.. pres has yet to define victory

  by joanneleon on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 07:56:59 PM PDT

  •  PUTS THE BULL's EYE SQUARELY ON OUR NATION

    Isn't this a great line?

    Beautiful. My fav so far.

    by Gorette on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:02:36 PM PDT

•  Blasting All Night Long by Lionel Richie

  I want Richie's propulsive 80's dance music to keep me up to see the "World's Greatest Deliberative Body" late at night.

  by skidrow on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 07:57:03 PM PDT

  •  All Night Long

    While Dancing on the Ceilings.

    by marcvstraianvs on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 07:58:32 PM PDT

•  Not to be shallow, but

  someone needs to tell senator Brown to get a (nice $40) hair cut.

  by CJB on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 07:57:23 PM PDT

  •  I dig his do.

    by pseudopod on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 07:58:18 PM PDT

    •  Do ya? I completely dig

      his rhetoric.  His shaggy head?  Not so much.  

      But, he is kicking. ass. here this evening.

      by CJB on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 07:59:34 PM PDT

    •  I think it's an essential part of his persona

      It matches his gravely voice.  It all fits.  

      by vigilant meerkat on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:05:22 PM PDT

  •  Actually the more I look at it

    his hair seems kind of a cute in contrast to that sexy raspy voice.

    by dmac on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 07:59:13 PM PDT

    •  I find his voice attractive, too! n/t

      by Ellicatt on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:03:02 PM PDT

    •  I just said the same thing above

      and then read your comment.  Everything about him is well coordinated:  Voice, rhetoric, hair, smile.  Cute indeed, in a serious way. I do respect him as a senator, even if he is cute.

      by vigilant meerkat on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:08:07 PM PDT

  •  Signature Look

    He's had that hair since the 80s.  Mad College Professor Look, we intellectuals in the profession appreciate that look :)

    by marcvstraianvs on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 07:59:32 PM PDT

    •  I've got a picture of him in my

      screen saver slide show and he looks like his better groomed younger brother!  I'd never have pegged him for a mop-headed, raspy-voiced thang!

      by CJB on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:02:40 PM PDT

  •  It's the 1-button suit coat.

    Somebody needs to watch the NBA draft.

    by malharden on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 07:59:45 PM PDT

  •  Bite your tongue friend!

    We like Sherrod just the way he is - he has a very boyish, semi-mischevious look about him in person.  Quite nice actually.

    :-)

    by Ninepatch on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:06:12 PM PDT

    •  He's just so sincere

      I think that colors everything; earnest and sincere -- what really counts, seemingly embued with a great sense of responsibility.  A very serious guy.

      by vigilant meerkat on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:11:28 PM PDT

    •  Awright, awright, I give!

      Y'all have convinced me.  For all I know, he gets it cut just the way it is! ;)

      by CJB on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:14:17 PM PDT

  •  Good you recommended the $40 version.

    Otherwise the MSM would get a hold of that line, and plaster the front pages with the sheer audacity of the haircut value.

    You know, since there are so many other less important things to talk about.

    by Dave in PA on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:08:18 PM PDT

  •  No no no no no no no no

    We all know what happens when the media hears a Democrat gets a fancy haircut...

    by skidrow on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:12:50 PM PDT

•  Let Us Vote

  Great picture of Sherrod Brown and his "Let Us Vote" sign here. Keeping the Live Blog picture free™

  by Magnifico on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 07:57:54 PM PDT

  •  thanks for that! n/t

    Xbox beats C-SPAN at my house, so I can't get the live picture. Guess I could find an online stream, huh?

    by rioduran on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:02:14 PM PDT

•  Where is Diaper Dave?

  Vitter the shitter, is he in the cloakroom with his New Orleans galpal?

  by LIMAMA on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 07:57:57 PM PDT

  •  He was there earlier for a vote

    when he voted, there was some very audible chuckling.

    by ZappoDave on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 07:58:43 PM PDT

  •  He Left

    had to be changed. (couldn't resist)

    by skidrow on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:13:42 PM PDT

•  Big ups

  to senate Democrats for the all night smack down.
  WSOP and C-Span wooohoooo.

  by Drewid on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 07:58:24 PM PDT

  •  A Dollar/Hour

    That is what I pledged/donated to the DNC for doing this.  I also offered the same to my Senators, if they vote with the dems.  (pretty likely in my case)  Consider rewarding them for this and make sure they know that you are rewarding them for standing up!  

    by flo58 on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:09:20 PM PDT

•  Calling all Left Coasters - Volunteer your diary

  for the day.

  there's a Long Way to Go. Show  Joe we can outlast him!

  by Chrispy67 on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 07:58:37 PM PDT

  •  How does one Volunteer a diary? n't

    by ZappoDave on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 07:59:19 PM PDT

    •  well, you will need to be present and do the

      following:

      past the text from the previous one (update relevant links) and be available to post when the previous diary gets to the 200 comment realm.

      volunteering isn't nearly as involved as volunteering for the national guard.

      cp

      by Chrispy67 on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:01:43 PM PDT

      •  Me!

        Posted above to joanneleon offering to volunteer.

        Just tell me what I have to do.

        by donnas on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:08:51 PM PDT

•  Silly quesion, I know, but

  who is "Madam President"?

  by pucklady on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 07:59:35 PM PDT

  •  Ahem. :) n/t

    by Caldonia on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:00:00 PM PDT

  •  Reid is sharing the chair

    with someone. Not sure who.

    by ZappoDave on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:00:39 PM PDT

  •  Murray - WA I think n/t

    by NMRed on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:00:43 PM PDT

    •  Thanks

      by pucklady on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:01:20 PM PDT

    •  Yes, I read that Senator Patty

      is in charge of the lineup of Dem speakers.  So she may be womaning the podium, too. :-)

      by Cream City on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:03:06 PM PDT

      •  oh!

        I didnt know that..i guess that means she wont speak?
        Where is Maria????

        Yayy Patty!!

        by fireflynw on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:14:50 PM PDT

  •  Actually.

    by seeker on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:09:57 PM PDT

    •  Sorry, Actually.

      all dem freshmen preside for an hour at a time.  I don't know how they arrange it tonight.

      They might go to more senior senators or ask freshmen to do more.

      by seeker on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:20:34 PM PDT

•  "Good line, bad logic"

  Another great one, he's doing great!

  by KimD on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 07:59:43 PM PDT

•  where will collins stand?

  How brave is she?

  by HopefulOkie on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:00:07 PM PDT

  •  behind the speaking podium....and talking

    a bit slowly and in a bright yellow / stay awake suit.

    by left my heart on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:02:50 PM PDT

•  Joe Lieberman Supports the Right to Fillibuster

  for this bill.
  Remember Joe was part of the "Gang of 14" who basically denied the right to a fillibuster for the Democrats, regarding Bush judicial nominees?
  And  Woe Joe with no MoJO then decries partisanship.....

  by sd4david on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:00:11 PM PDT

  •  Joe is 'thug. Glad they're a dieing breed... n/t

    by rantsposition on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:12:12 PM PDT

•  Collins, Wake Up!

  Things have hardened in Washington? Ask Diaper Dave!

  by LIMAMA on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:00:35 PM PDT

•  Is Susan Collins on Quaaludes

  She's speaking in a very weird manner.  I am not looking forward to listening to Lieberman's tag team partner.

  by skidrow on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:00:36 PM PDT

  •  no, she always sounds like that

    by atrexler on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:01:18 PM PDT

    •  It always sounds like she's

      nervous or something. Her voice sounds shaky. She should be nervous tonight. Anything she says here tonight could sink her at the ballot next year.

      by Kyle the Mainer on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:11:07 PM PDT

  •  she's always had a weird speech pattern

    like she was talking to 'slow' pre-schoolers.

    by NMRed on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:01:33 PM PDT

    •  Maybe Necessary

      Sam Brownback, Saxby Chambliss and John Cornyn are in the audience.

      by skidrow on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:03:26 PM PDT

    •  We call it her

      Romper Room voice.  

      by texasmom on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:15:14 PM PDT

  •  I was thinking the same thing....

    I don't know what it is.... but I think she took the wrong meds when she grabbed the NoDoze

    by Dave in PA on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:01:36 PM PDT

  •  She must be

    smoking something like DiFi suggested earlier.

    by FuddGate on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:02:08 PM PDT

  •  She's always been great

    for doing quick transcripts of what she says, if necessary.

    by Terre on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:03:44 PM PDT

  •  a rec for spelling 'ludes correctly.

    that's a tough one - even harder than "diarrhea".  Which reminds me... anybody see Joementum's turn at the mic?

    by deBOraaah on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:08:17 PM PDT

    •  and I thought

      you were going to say Vitter

      by cwaltz on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:21:46 PM PDT

    •  Yes :-(

      Of course as soon as I was able to tune in, there he was. Argh.

      I muted until he was done. He's almsot as intolerable to listen to as the shrub.

      by PBnJ on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:32:10 PM PDT

•  Brown

  (posted at the end of the last diary)

  American people's opposition is not the political passion of the moment, as some have suggested.  It is the growing majority reflecting the will of the people.

  we need 60 votes...because of political game playing.  too many are protecting the president instead of protecting the troops.  we need 11 republicans.  the problem is that it seems like every Tuesday, Cheney speaks at the repub lunch.  he pulls up in his limo...arm twisting, lobbying by the admin is making it that much harder to change direction.  that's why its hard to get to 60.

  A majority vote that reflects public sentiment, last november's vote - the president simply digs in and doesn't listen.

  ballot boxes shouted that we need a new direction.  with dems in control, we immediately began to work to end the war, implement the 9-11 commission; by working to end and pass the recommendations...to make our country safer.

  Global terrst attacks have increased 7 fold since we have invaded; more than 600% percent,  this is the best thing that has happened for jihad recruitment.

  Dems have brought many resolutions to end; every time repubs threatened filibuster or the president has vetoed.  we find more of the same failed policy.  too many want to protect the president; not the soldiers and marines in Afghanistan and Iraq.  More loved ones killed and wounded. 156 killed in my state.  Ohioans don't want more of the same.

  Mission accomplished in 2003;  he wants to stay the course and buy more time.  there is increased violence and chaos in Iraq; more dead and wounded.  35,000 have suffered serious injuries that will be with them for 10-50 years.

  Civil war with our military caught in the middle.  The president sent us to a war of choice; no proper body armor.  Our troops are still without the live saving equipment that they need.

  I voted against this in 2002.  We questioned P.Bremer before the attack; we continued to focus on providing the body armor, Bremer said we are doing the best we can, have a lot more to do.

  104 degrees there tomorrow; they are not protected from IEDs...  protection for soldiers riding in humvees which have a low ground clearance - 1 1/2 ft.  mine resistant ambush vehicle has a 3 ft. clearance.  when explosion happens, more often than not, the soldiers are better protected.  This clearly saves lives and from injuries.  It should infuriate everyone...pentagon and this admin failed to work hard and provide body armor, failed to fix the problems of the humvees.  needless loss of life from willful negligence.  

  the president is proud of his stubbornness - he should be ashamed.  he has failed to tell us how long this will take 5, 10, 15 years?  he has yet to hold himself and his admin accountable.  ...  that stubbornness is not leadership.  supporting him rather than supporting the troops is not leadership.  blocking another vote - that's what they are doing tonight - the people's will - this is not leadership.

  Last week we learned that A/Q is at pre 9-11 strength.  border between Afghan. and Pakistan; what signal does the president and his supporters think - we know where A/Q is and where they train.  A/Q is in the same region before the attack; OBL where he is believed to be hiding and free.  the president stubbornly insists we stay in Iraq.  

  Supporting the president's policy fails to target terrsm and puts the eye on our nation.  ending the war is not just a new direction for our policy..is about reengaging full force - war on terror to make us safer.  every lost vote adds more lives lost; more names to the list of the wounded, and it empowers A/Q.  

  Fight them there to not fight them here - good line, but bad logic.  

  by Ellicatt on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:00:38 PM PDT

  •  Collins will be easy for you Ellicatt

    and THANK YOU for what you do.

    by Terre on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:04:56 PM PDT

•  Oh, Lordy, Collins!

  Her quavery little voice - aaauuuugh!

  by CJB on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:00:39 PM PDT

•  Does she normally talk so slooow?

  by gimmebooks on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:00:43 PM PDT

  •  she sounds like a kindergarden teacher

    by steelman on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:01:39 PM PDT

  •  Always n/t

    by dmac on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:01:55 PM PDT

•  Ugh

  Monotomatic voice time again.  At 20 words per minute as well....snooze!

  by marcvstraianvs on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:00:53 PM PDT

•  Hmm, this sounds weasl-y. (Collins) n/t

  by canoeist on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:01:08 PM PDT

•  Wow, she's an awful speaker. (Collins)

  What, was Mr. Ed unavailable? I feel like I'm on mushrooms listening to her.

  by malharden on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:01:09 PM PDT

  •  lol, well said

    good thing i'm not on any heart medication...

    by andyj2287 on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:01:56 PM PDT

  •  wiiiiiiiiilber, wiiiiiiiiiiilber

    briiiiiiiiiiiing 'emmmmm hoooooooooome, wiiiiiiiiiiiilber

    by ksh01 on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:06:25 PM PDT

    •  I can hardly type I'm laughing so hard... n/t

      by rantsposition on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:16:56 PM PDT

•  Oh she's gonna have no problem filling time..

  sheee.. t-talksss.... sooooooooo slloooooowwwwwwwwwwwww

  by andyj2287 on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:01:17 PM PDT

  •  She reminds me of my daughter's 1st grade

    teacher. Slowly with props, hand motions & picture books.

    Drink shade grown coffee!

    by mad ramblings of a sane woman on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:04:50 PM PDT

    •  Only without Props n/t

      :-)

      Or did I miss a prop - not including the Yellow Top.

      by Dave in PA on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:06:28 PM PDT

      •  her Vanna White immitation with the Iraq study

        group book. I was waiting for her to say, "okay boys and girls lets opne our books to page xx...."

        The yellow jkt is appropriate, Operation Yellow Elephant.

        Drink shade grown coffee!

        by mad ramblings of a sane woman on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:12:35 PM PDT

•  Levin is not from Illinois

  Illinois's two senators are Durbin and Obama.

  by RoseRash on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:01:19 PM PDT

•  Volunteers?

  We need one or two volunteers who can post a liveblog diary before midnight.  

  by joanneleon on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:01:30 PM PDT

  •  Yeah, I can host one.

    by canoeist on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:02:12 PM PDT

    •  Please do #17

      Thanks!

      by joanneleon on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:03:30 PM PDT

  •  Need another?

    just let me know when

    by andyj2287 on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:02:47 PM PDT

    •  Please do #18

      Thanks!

      by joanneleon on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:03:50 PM PDT

      •  you gotit!

        by andyj2287 on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:05:12 PM PDT

  •  I'm in if you need me.

    by robroser on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:02:55 PM PDT

    •  Please do #19

      Thanks!

      by joanneleon on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:04:06 PM PDT

      •  Sure

        by robroser on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:04:33 PM PDT

      •  Joanne - update the diary so people know who's

        up next and how many are needed. We're speeding up right now, commentwise

        cp

        by Chrispy67 on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:05:43 PM PDT

        •  done n/t

          by joanneleon on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:08:45 PM PDT

  •  I can go before midnight or after. n/t

    by Over the Edge on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:10:15 PM PDT

    •  #24 thanks so much! n/t

      by Cedwyn on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 09:55:16 PM PDT

      •  had to reassign

        if you want 26, please reply!

        thanks!

        by Cedwyn on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 10:07:09 PM PDT

•  Sherrod Brown tore it UP.

  and I heart his 'do too.

  by deBOraaah on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:02:08 PM PDT

•  Dem mantra:

  Republicans playing partisan politics by protecting their injured president and their party.  Every Dem should recite one form of this line or another.

  by GOTV on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:02:10 PM PDT

•  What did Sen Collins do before this

  Her voice needs to be tuned up

  by jkb246 on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:02:20 PM PDT

  •  recorded motovational audio tapes(CD's)

    can't ya tell

    by JML9999 on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:03:58 PM PDT

•  Collins is such an anomoly

  Her voice is so unexpected.  And she sounds so happily reasonable.  But then she votes and you have to rething everything you thought you observed.  

  by vigilant meerkat on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:02:20 PM PDT

  •  I hope Mainers do the full rethinking. (nt)

    by GussieFN on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:04:36 PM PDT

    •  She must have mesmerized them

      some form of hypnosis.  Hopefully, her performace has not endeared her to her constituents.

      by vigilant meerkat on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:18:26 PM PDT

•  OT

  What is Collins' speech impediment?

  I've always wondered about the shake in her voice.

  by kml on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:02:26 PM PDT

  •  maybe it's a neurological disorder....

    ...like what Kate Hepburn had??

    by billlaurelMD on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 08:13:01 PM PDT