GOP filibuster still holding

I have been monitoring the Iraq debate throughout the night.  It's past five o'clock on the east coast, and they are once again voting to end the filibuster.  As I watch now, a flurry of GOP lawmakers are fast-walking to the floor as the role is being called.  At the moment, it looks like the filibuster will hold.  I will continue to keep tabs on it.

On a less enchanting note, according to the New York Times, a number of lawmakers, including Hillary Clinton, convinced Harry Reid to postpone a few of the votes so they could get some sleep.  Apparently Reid was going to be very aggressive tonight, calling for votes every few hours.  But a few Democrats wanted sleep instead:

It was shortly before midnight when the senators arrived back onthe floor of the Senate to cast their second vote of the marathon Iraqwar debate. The Democrats circled Senator Harry Reid, the majorityleader, with a purposeful plea: Won’t you please delay the next voteuntil a little closer to sunrise?

   â€œHarry, sweetheart,” said Senator Barbara Boxer of California, leading the group of Democrats. “5:30 or 6?”

From our vantage point in the press gallery overlooking the Senatefloor, Ms. Boxer was leading the lobbying effort on behalf of severalsenators in her party. Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York andDebbie Stabenow of Michigan joined in, too.

What a shame!