Last Call

And the Senate GOP kills the omnibus spending bill, forcing the Dems to give on short-term legislation that will keep the government running just long enough for the new GOP House in January to hold the country hostage all over again (and most likely eliminate funding for everything the Democrats passed over the last two years.)

On Thursday night, Senate Republicans killed must-pass legislation to fund the government, and forced Democrats to accept GOP spending demands to avert a federal shutdown. The development infuriated Democratic members and led to unusually angry, churlish exchanges on the Senate floor. But as a consolation prize for defeated Democrats, they'll have a real shot at finally repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell on Sunday evening.

After long deliberations with Republican principals Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced on the Senate floor that nine GOP members had reneged on their pledges to vote for the omnibus spending bill, which reflected months of bipartisan negotiations, and included earmarks benefiting both parties.

That left Reid several votes shy of the 60 he'd need to overcome a filibuster and essentially vaporized a year's worth of work by the Appropriations Committee.

Democrats on the floor -- including Appropriations Chairman Daniel Inouye -- were visibly wounded by the development, and were unable to contain their anger after Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell rubbed in the salt. "There is only one reason cloture is not being filed," McConnell said. "They don't have the votes. And the reason he doesn't have the votes is because members on [the Republican] side of the aisle increasingly felt concerned about the way we do business."

Surprise!  The Republicans were lying the entire friggin' time and never intended to keep their promises, never intended to negotiate in good faith, and never intended to let anything pass but 100% of what they wanted.

The best part is Reid still trusts these assholes on DADT and START votes on Saturday.  These votes too will fail.   No, I take that back.  The best part is nobody will call the GOP on this, and the Democrats will take the blame for failing to get things passed once again.