[ionitiesk]

TPM: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2...es.php?ref=fpb

On Tuesday night, House Republican leaders suffered an embarrassing setback when members of their own party scuttled an attempt to extend key provisions of the PATRIOT Act. The way it unfolded suggested that the GOP didn't see the rebellion coming -- that they weren't aware that a meaningful chunk of their own party opposed their efforts, and wouldn't have their arms twisted.

The bill required a two-thirds super-majority to pass under rules required to expedite legislation. Leaders thought they had it in the bag. They came up seven votes short.

Under the Democratic leadership of Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer, this rarely happened -- if legislation, including PATRIOT Act reauthorization, came to the floor, it was because they had the votes. And today, Democrats are relishing in Tuesday's mishap.

...

Hoyer cautioned that this could be a harbinger for their entire substantive agenda: the GOP has promised major spending cuts, a hiked debt ceiling, and deficit reduction. And somehow or other they'll have to deliver.

"I think they have a very difficult challenge in their party between those who understand that when you get down to real cases -- I think this is what Mr. Boehner meant when he said we're going to have an 'adult moment' when we deal with the debt limit," Hoyer said. "We'll see whether or not in fact Mr. Boehner's adult moment is met by adults."