52-47 — Republicans block Levin-Reed amendment

After an all-night debate session, Republicans succeeded Wednesday in blocking an amendment that would have required President Bush to begin withdrawing troops from Iraq within 120 days.

{mosads}Four Republicans, Sens. Susan Collins (Maine), Chuck Hagel (Neb.), Gordon Smith (Ore.) and Olympia Snowe (Maine) voted with the Democrats to support the withdrawal. But supporters of the measure fell short of the 60 votes required to overcome a GOP filibuster.

Republicans had called the overnight debate political theater and a stunt that was aimed at appeasing the Democrats anti-war base more than anything else.

Democrats had asserted that it is clear that the troop surge in Iraq had failed to produce the desired results of getting the Iraqi government to move closer to reconciliation. They argued that the country should not have to wait until September, when General David Petraeus is to report on the progress in Iraq, to change course.

Independent Democrat Joe Lieberman (Conn.) was the sole defector from the Democratic caucus.