Republicans maneuver votes on Senate war resolutions

Washington Times:

Sen. John W. Warner will join his fellow Republicans in voting Monday to block the resolution he wrote rebuking President Bush's Iraq war policy.
"Senator Warner supports the Senate Republican leadership's effort to establish a free and open debate on Iraq on the Senate floor, including possible amendments," a spokesman for the Virginia Republican said yesterday afternoon.
Earlier in the day, Mr. Warner told colleagues during a closed-door strategy meeting at the Library of Congress that he opposes the manner in which Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Nevada Democrat, is conducting debate on his resolution, which condemns Mr. Bush's plan to send 21,500 more troops to Iraq.
Senate Republicans are opposed to a vote on the Warner resolution unless they also get votes on two other resolutions. One of those alternatives supports Mr. Bush's plan, and the other would prohibit cutting funds for the war. Republicans also want each resolution to require 60 votes to pass.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Kentucky Republican, told reporters yesterday that he expects to have all 49 Republicans in the chamber -- nine votes more than are needed for a filibuster -- to vote Monday to block the nonbinding resolution.
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With Lieberman, they actually have a "bipartisan" majority since Tim Johnson is not able to attend the sessions. Watching Reid whine about the maneuver is still comical. The vote on cutting off funds really puts the heat on the Democrats and puts them on the record in a way that gives them the choice of looking irresponsible or voting with their kook base.