Senate Measure To Nix Withdrawal Timetable Falls Short

[babylonsister]

http://electioncentral.tpmcafe.com/blog/electioncentral/2007/mar/27/senate_measure_to_nix_withdrawal_timetable_falls_short

Senate Measure To Nix Withdrawal Timetable Falls Short
By Greg Sargent | bio

The Senate has spoken on the GOP's efforts to pass an amendment to nix withdrawal timetables in its big Iraq spending bill. Its answer:

No can do. Dems win; Joe Lieberman and the Republicans lose.

The amendment -- which was the handiwork of Mississippi Senator Thad Cochran -- has just failed, with 50 votes against it, and 48 for it.

Here are a few of the key votes: Conservative Democrat Ben Nelson -- a potential supporter of the amendment -- stuck with the Democrats and opposed it. On the GOP side, Senators Chuck Hagel and Gordon Smith voted against it.

Meanwhile, vulnerable GOP Senator Susan Collins voted for it, as did her colleague Olympia Snowe (and as did Lieberman).

As we said before, this is a long, grinding, excrutiatingly slow process. Every incremental step counts. Including this one.

We'll bring you the full roll call as soon as its available.