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Ed Kilgore highlights what must be the dumbest, whiniest, most ineffectual “protest” ever. Ladies and gentlemen, the Senate Republican caucus:

Senate Republicans will stage a more than 30-hour talkathon on the Senate floor to protest Democrats’ triggering of the “nuclear option” last month. The GOP protest, which could extend into the weekend, will throw a wrench in Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-Nev.) hopes of wrapping up legislative business for 2013 as soon as possible. Republicans will delay a final vote on Cornelia Pillard, one of President Obama’s picks for the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, until about 1 a.m. Thursday. Then, Senate Republicans will hold the floor throughout the night, speaking out against Reid’s use of the nuclear option. ….“When you blow up the Senate rules, there has to be a consequence,” said a Republican senator. “We’ll stretch this into the weekend if need be,” said the GOP lawmaker.

Seriously? They’re going to thunder away to an empty chamber in order to “punish” Democrats by forcing them to the floor at 1 am for a vote? That’ll show them! And then they’re going to thunder some more in order to—what? Delay everyone’s Christmas shopping?

Yeesh. Even the most moronic of the tea partiers isn’t going to be impressed by this display of buffoonery. Get a grip, folks.