A step forward for the minimum wage increase this afternoon, as the Senate cleared the logjam of the Republican filibuster that had been preventing the UpperdownvoteTM.

But just how craven was Republican opposition to a fair day's pay for an honest day's work?

Well, apparently the tax breaks they demanded in exchange for the wage hike didn't quite do the trick. Sure, that's what Republicans will point to as the "real reason" they caved...

The vote Tuesday emphasized how Senate passage of the bill depends on the tax package to attract Republican votes. The White House has also signaled that Bush wants tax breaks in the legislation.

But it wasn't until Harry Reid issued this warning that things changed:

"If cloture is not invoked, we're through with minimum wage," warned Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) before the vote, in a clear sign to Republican Senators that he will not allow them to use a minimum wage filibuster to stall having to vote on the pending Iraq war resolutions.

Now, was it a clear sign to Republicans that they wouldn't be allowed to use this filibuster to stall votes on Iraq?

Or was it an allusion to this?

Senate Democrats on Tuesday vowed to block pay raises for members of Congress until the minimum wage is increased. "We're going to do anything it takes to stop the congressional pay raise this year, and we're not going to settle for this year alone," Democratic Leader Harry Reid of Nevada said at a Capitol news conference.

Either way, cloture suddenly passed by a vote of 87-10.

We report, you decide.

P.S. Get a load of this headline, courtesy of Reuters:

US Republicans clear way for minimum-wage rise

Given what actually happened here, including a 12-year Republican moratorium on even considering a minimum wage hike, is this just the ultimate in lickspittle journalism, or what?

In what universe do the jackasses who filibustered the minimum wage until their own pocketbooks were threatened deserve even the brief illusion of credit?