The Genius of Senate Debates

So, Democrats refuse to vote on competing Republican resolutions in exchange for a floor debate on a resolution that opposes the surge. The Republicans then shut down debate on the anti-surge resolution. New York Times headline? "G.O.P. Senators Block Debate on Iraq Policy." It's like the Times has decided to live up to its reputation as the Best Paper in the Universe -- after the headline and the first graf.

Today's "News Analysis" returns to safer, pox-on-both-your-houses journalism: "Many Voices, No Debate, as Senate Is Stifled on War." However, it fails to resolve the fundamental absurdity of the belief that having Arlen Specter and Joe Biden pontificate about Iraq for a few hours will heal the country.