David Corn has a post up today about Senator Mitch McConnell threatening to filibuster any Senate resolution opposing the escalation of the war in Iraq.

Corn makes the point that any filibuster would be a godsend to Democrats.

Why?

Because as a non-binding resolution it really has no policy teeth at all, but is merely a gesture. The fact it's non-binding gives it a short shelf-life in the media world. But should the Republicans filibuster, it will shine a bright magnifying light on the issue of Iraq, extend the media life of the issue, and highlight those going on record for and against. Given the polls, this would indeed be a gift to the Democrats and further hurt Bush.

So Mitch? Go ahead, make my day.

Another thought I've had on the possibility of filibuster is obvious. In the past Congress, when the Dems threatened a filibuster you would have thought that Harry Reid was holding a lit match right under the original Constitution. Now that the shoe's on the other foot, Republicans have no hesitancy to pull the filibuster card right off the bat. This is a lesson that Democrats should have learned long ago. The Republicans know that standing for something always plays better politically than triangulating. All the dire consequences of a Democratic filibuster put forth for media consumption were pure political theater to intimidate the Dems. And the Dems fell for it. I hope the Dems will watch carefully as the Republicans use the filibuster throughout the next two years ..... and use it on a regular basis ... and note that they don't really pay any price for it. Rather, the Republicans will even be given grudging respect by their detractors (and the media) for taking a stand.