Ending Debate

Ed Morrissey weighs in on the Associated Press story spin about the GOP "blocking" a Senate debate on Iraq:

Reid and the Democrats insisted on blocking any consideration of alternatives and demanded an end to debate -- which makes Reid's complaint that the GOP would not allow debate on the issue somewhat mystifying. Cloture is an end to debate on the floor, a limitation to allow a vote on the question before the Senate. The filibuster provides for unlimited debate, which the Republicans appear ready to provide. Dick Durbin accused Republicans of running from the debate, but in truth the Democrats tried to shove Warner-Levin down the GOP's throat in order to demand that the US run from Iraq. It's a strange accusation to make that a political party exercises cowardice in not allowing the other to demand retreat -- a position that some Democrats clearly want to make.