Getting It Exactly Wrong

So just what were the Republicans trying to do by filibustering Harry Reid's attempt to ram through the Warner resolution, but not allow any others? You'd never know by reading the headlines (from Special Report):

When Senate Democrats refused to allow consideration of all three competing resolutions on Iraq yesterday, seeking instead to bring only two to the Senate floor, Republicans stopped them from bringing the issue up at all. The Democrats then complained that Republicans were blocking debate on Iraq, and mainstream media outlets immediately agreed.

"Republicans block Senate Debate on Iraq," said the AP. "GOP blocks a debate over Iraq policy," concurred the New York Times. "GOP stalls debate on troop increase," echoed the Washington Post.

In fact, of course, both sides were trying to have the debate on terms most favorable to their party, but in this case, the Republicans were actually seeking a broader debate with more resolutions considered while the Democrats wanted to address just those that seemed most likely to come out their way.

What's really hilarious are the statements from people like Sen. Leahy saying that "America wants the Senate to vote on Iraq". Well, Senator, America wanted the Senate to vote on judicial nominations too, but that didn't stop you from filibustering them.