Things are beginning to stir in Congress. Carl Hulse and Jim Rutenberg report in the New York Times that as many as a dozen Republican Senators may ultimately support a non-binding resolution opposing the build-up of 21,500 troops. That would be a filibuster proof number (even without Lieberman).
“If they have the language right, I will be right there,” said Senator Ben Nelson, Democrat of Nebraska.
The resolution’s language is currently being negotiated by Hagel, Biden, and Levin. The White House almost seems resigned to losing this vote, but they have their eye on the real prize.
White House officials have dismissed Mr. Hagel as an established critic of the war who is now seeking to stake out antiwar ground in the nascent Republican primary fight for president.
Still, the officials said in interviews that while they believed any substantial Republican support for the resolution would be a symbolic blow, they were far more concerned about threats from Congressional Democrats to take aim at spending on the president’s new plan. Officials say that they will rely upon Mr. McConnell to help head off any such move.
We do not yet have 60 (or possibly even 50) votes to cut off funding. But things are starting to move fast.
