Update from Leahy on hearing being shut down (strategic blunder):

[babylonsister]

A Senate Judiciary Committee source tells ThinkProgress conservatives objected to the hearing lasting beyond two hours, but then backed down after realizing it was a huge strategic blunder.

Leahy explains: “Just so people can understand what’s going on here. The lack of permission going forward has now been changed. I had raised questions and the — whatever objection there was on the Republican side has been withdrawn, so that we can continue. When Mr. Sampson comes back, we will start with Sen. Durbin. Somebody here just asked me if this all could have just been all an accident, that we had this lack of concurrence by the Republicans to go forward. I grew up in a faith that believes in miracles, and it’s conceivable as an accident, I’ve been here 33 years and I’ve never seen it happen before. So maybe it was, but I suspect it was not.”

The committee is back in session now. 2:19 pm

http://thinkprogress.org/

[Hobarticus]

1. Grassley's been bound and gagged....please continue n/t

[hippiechick]

2. Love Leahy's jab!

"... I grew up in a faith that believes in miracles, and it’s conceivable as an accident, I’ve been here 33 years and I’ve never seen it happen before. So maybe it was..."

[snappyturtle]

3. The repukes want to delay,delay, delay in hopes nothing

more harmful than what's already been said gets into the record for the public to chew up and digest over the long holiday recess, imho.

[babylonsister]

6. But their delay is what attracted so much attention, so that backfired, too. nt

[snappyturtle]

8. Isn't it pathetic? They're so nervous; they screwed themselves. n/t

[durtee librul]

4. I am in TN right now outside of Nashville

and I turned on CSPAN and CSPAN 2 and guess what - they are replaying yesterday's vote. Is this a ploy in a red state by Comcast to keep the truth (again) from people?

Does anyone know if CNN is covering any of it?

Please keep us all informed as to what is happening. It is greatly appreciated.

[ripple]

12. It's on CSPAN3

CSPAN1 airs the House and CSPAN2 airs the Senate pretty much without fail when they are in session. The exception is when there is a brief recess, and then they will air something else until the members reconvene. The Iraq spending bill received final Senate passage today, so maybe they were playing that. The vote earlier this week was only on an amendment, I believe.

I'm guessing they will air the Judiciary hearing on one of the main channels once the Senate or House dismisses for the day. Comcast doesn't have any control over what CSPAN broadcasts at any given time, only what channels are included in their package deals.

I can definitely relate to your frustration, though. I wish CSPAN3 were available without purchasing the super-deluxe dish/cable package. I listen to it streaming at work when something interesting is on, but I only get the other two channels at home.

[endarkenment]

5. Ok I don't understand the rules.

The opposition party can stop any hearing from going forward? So why don't the Republicans simply obstruct these hearings?

[babylonsister]

10. Apparently Leahy didn't 'ask for permission' to continue; I'm not

really sure about what happened, but am sure someone will elaborate on what happened.

[Vincardog]

7. Where can I watch the hearing? In TX it is not on CSPAN 1 OR 2

[babylonsister]

9. It's on CSPAN-3; check out CSPAN-3 on your 'puter. Here's the link:

http://www.c-span.org/watch/cs_cspan3_wm.asp?Cat=TV&Code=CS3

[Vincardog]

13. I have it on now. Thanks for the link

[terip64]

11. Happy to be the 5th! I love this man! n/t