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House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer acknowledged asking Reid to stage more filibusters. "That is the only way you can give Americans a clear view of who is obstructing change," Hoyer said.
House leaders have been pressing Reid to intensify the fight with Republicans by forcing them to filibuster major bills rather than holding failed cloture votes and criticizing the GOP after bills are pulled from the floor.
The typical American doesn't know about filibusters or cloture votes; all they know is that a Democratic Senate keeps failing to force Bush's hand and change the existing policy. It's one of the reasons Congress' approval rating is as low as it is.
Forcing a real, live filibuster, with Republicans front and center, refusing to allow a vote on a withdrawal measure, would as Durbin put it, "generate attention." Or, more specifically, highlight exactly who's responsible for the lack of progress. (amazing, the Dems may actually learn about the results that can be achieved because of the 08 election)
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