There’s no question that the United States provides great political theatre.  Yesterday, in a bid to embarrass Republicans blocking their demand for a deadline for troop withdrawal from Iraq, Senate democrats held a rare all-night session.  Beds and sheets were brought in for senators, with democratic aides handing out bags with toothpaste and toiletries (emblazoned with ‘stop the war’).  They have a majority in favour of a firm deadline, but not the 60 votes required to hold a vote on the issue, and are turning up the pressure on more republicans to join them.  If republican's refuse, the democrats will happily portray them as obstructing the will of the American people and a majority of Congress.

With ever more imposing majorities of the American people supportive of a timetable, democrats like nothing better than holding the feet of Republicans up for election in 2008 to the fire.  Many in tight races are already feeling the pressure – Susan Collins, Gordon Smith, John Warner, and Pete Dominici have all endorsed a change in strategy.  Others, such as Jeff Sessions of Alabama, are said to be wavering.

And yet despite endorsing a change in strategy, few of them are yet voting with the Democrats.  But with increasing pressure coming from democrats and from constituents, a Senate vote to instigate a timetable for withdrawal seems only a matter of time.