Semantics Game

It's all a semantics game...
Remember the good old days of the republican majority? When a simple majority vote would usually pass a bill? Back when the headlines and tv and radio hosts would report how democrats are blocking something with a filibuster? When you heard not so subtle threats of the 'nuclear option' when talk of a democratic filibuster came up? Remember the right wing talking heads railing about obstructionist democrats? If you are Alberto Gonzales and don't recall, take a look at this, this(second half), and this. How much ink was given to democratic filibusters and the nuclear option? Lots.

Do you wonder what headlines you see when republicans filibuster 2 (or more) bills this week? Judging by the AP articles on the habeus corpus bill and leave and deployment time bill that ran in most newspapers; there will be no mention of filibuster or blocking. Not one. Why did these bills fail?

"The proposal... failed on a 56-44 vote, with 60 votes needed for passage"

Why 60 votes you may wonder? Don't look to the articles for help.

Hint: it rhymes with General Custer