http://twitter.com/#!/lachlan/status/322375102618537984

Pfffft!

This morning, the Senate voted 68 to 31 to avert the filibuster of a gun control bill – even though senators have yet to see the Toomey-Manchin language regarding background checks. Here’s how a gleeful Politico took the news:

BREAKING: Senate votes 68-31 to end a Republican filibuster blocking the start of debate on a new gun-control bill #breaking

— POLITICO (@politico) April 11, 2013

A “Republican filibuster”?

And just like that, the Politico breaking news alert on the “Republican filibuster” shows up in my inbox. #fail

— Lachlan Markay (@lachlan) April 11, 2013

Tsk, tsk, Politico. Your bias is showing. The need to paint the GOP as obstructionists trumps the need for honesty:

The Senate on Thursday ended a GOP filibuster on a new gun control bill, clearing the way for debate to begin on a hugely emotional issue that has dominated headlines since the tragic December shooting in Newtown, Conn.

Here’s the thing: 16 Republicans voted in favor of cloture:

So far Hoeven, Ayotte, Chambliss, Collins, Flake, Isakson, McCain, Burr, Coburn so far all vote to end filibuster on gun control #GOP

— Luke Russert (@LukeRussert) April 11, 2013

Toomey, Graham, Alexander, Corker vote to end guns filibuster #GOP

— Luke Russert (@LukeRussert) April 11, 2013

16 GOP senators voted to begin debate on gun control bill. Some surprises, to me at least: Burr and Hoeven huff.to/ZbE98R

— jennifer bendery (@jbendery) April 11, 2013

In a follow-up tweet, Politico writers John Bresnahan and Dan Berman noted that senators split from their party, though their article still called it a “GOP filibuster”:

Senators who split with their party on guns politi.co/155XEE3

— POLITICO (@politico) April 11, 2013

Sixteen Republicans split with their party leaders and voted Thursday to end the GOP filibuster of gun control legislation and begin what will be a contentious Senate debate on the issue.

…

Two Democrats split with their party: Sens. Mark Begich of Alaska and Mark Pryor.

But, somehow, this is a Republican filibuster.

GOP filibuster which included Democrats…. RT @politico: BREAKING: Senate votes 68-31 to end a Republican filibuster blocking.

— Andrew Kaczynski (@BuzzFeedAndrew) April 11, 2013

If Dems join the filibuster also, does that make it a GOP filibuster? RT @politico: Senate ends a GOP filibuster on a new gun control bill

— Rschrim (@Rschrim) April 11, 2013

Politico isn’t alone in its disingenousness:

Senate votes to cut off GOP filibuster on gun bill, 68-31

— HuffPost Politics (@HuffPostPol) April 11, 2013

Goodbye, GOP gun control filibuster on.msnbc.com/1561ixZ Senate accrued the 60 votes needed to kick off debate on gun control legislation

— Hardball (@hardball) April 11, 2013

Breaking: Senate breaks GOP filibuster on gun bill at.cnn.com/C6cMzkL

— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) April 11, 2013

So, if 16 Republicans voted against it, and two Democrats voted for it, how is it a GOP filibuster?

@lachlan Didn’t 16 Republicans vote FOR cloture?

— Charlie Spiering (@charliespiering) April 11, 2013

If Dems joined the filibuster, does that make it a GOP filibuster? MT @hardball: Goodbye, GOP gun control filibuster

— Rschrim (@Rschrim) April 11, 2013

It isn’t.

Take note, Politico et al.:

Tip for headline writers: when Dems vote for it too, it’s not a “Republican filibuster.”

— Lachlan Markay (@lachlan) April 11, 2013

That’s good advice. Now put your bias away and do your jobs.

Read more: http://twitchy.com/2013/04/11/tip-for-the-msm-when-dems-vote-for-it-too-its-not-a-republican-filibuster/