Let them all walk out. Perhaps they won't return.

s/podium/lectern

wow, good to see the bunch in a photo op. All that's missing are their prison uniforms.

I wish the dems had the kahunas to do this long ago. Perhaps the repugnicans can lead by example.

Is it just me or do Republicans turn into a bunch of crybabies when they don't get their way?

It would have been merciful had they all kept walking.

For today at least, the House Democrats get a break from me in terms of complaining they won't stand up to the GOP and the fake president. Well done Dems.

Now pass more stuff quick while they're out.

The great boner, "retreat!"

Its pretty easy to see, who believes in the law and who doesn't...Bush's signing statements alone, is an impeachable offense...come election time, maybe we will see these crooks and liars backsides for the last time..

It's nice to see the totalitarian element in American politics behave so very like the Soviet Union used to behave at the UN. If the Democrats had any balls, which sadly we all know they do not, they would have passed a decent FISA bill while the fascists were outside on the capitol steps as well as passing the contempt resolutions that are many months overdue.

I doubt that even in the guilded age there were as many corrupt souls wandering the halls of our capitol nor more weak and spineless people who, despite their refusal to participate directly in all the filth, fail to stand up in any effective manner and oppose it all.

Being from Texas this moment providing be with a little deja-vu. I remember when a whole bunch of Texas Lawmakers not only walked out but left the state to try and force the other members ability to pass legislation. Unfortunately for them this allowed Tom Delay and thugs to redistrict the voting districts for partisan gain. Maybe the Dems can pass more legislation without the Republicans in session.

This really calls for a little musical accompaniment.

(In case the HTML breaks, it's http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwnqqj5Q1BU )

The GOP likes to walk out of things. Fine. Let's consider the implications of this on a Senate vote to convict/not convict. The Constitution says that the President/VP would be removed if 2/3 of the Senate votes to convict.

- If 1/2 of the Senate leaves, is the "2/3 requirement" met with 2/3 present, or does the Senate vote require at least 17 Senators from the GOP to vote?

- If the GOP Senators were to talk out of a Senate Trial of the President/VP, would that be a violation of the Senate rules?

- Conversely, if the GOP likes to walk out of floor debates in the House, where is the call for a quorum on appropriations bills?

For example:

"A bill or joint resolution, amendment, or conference report carrying a Federal income tax rate increase may not be considered as passed or agreed to unless so determined by a vote of not less than three-fifths of the Members voting, a quorum being present."

- If they're not willing to vote for their districts, why should the public have confidence that their views are being represented during the debates of these issues?

- Shouldn't GOP-represented districts "be happy" that their legislators are not willing to vote, not particiatpe, and not express their views?

- Why are GOP districts paying any funds to elect GOP Candidates when the GOP Members of Congress are not willing to have their views included during critical issues?

Next time the GOP walks out, the DNC leadership in both houses should swiftly move to pass bills, and deny the GOP Members of Congress any input to that speedy appropriation. Further, if the Senate and House agree -- before any debate -- to like bills, then the GOP will not be able to block a conference committee: The bills would match, and not require a conference committe to reconcile.

The DNC leadership should put "on hold" the appropriations bills until the GOP decides to walk out again; then, with the GOP walk out, present the joint Senate-House resolution to the President for his veto. If teh GOP will not cooperate, then make the President live with no money. His position alone is the only position the COnstitution requires full funding. All other positions, DoD-DoJ-CIA contractors can be cut without notice. The GOP Districts can thank the GOP Members of Congress for the diversion of funds to "other" more responsive districts.