Update from the rally of Democratic members of Congress outside the Capitol building tonight

11:30pm and there are still crowds waiting to get into the Senate visitor's gallery to watch the all-night Iraq debate:



From a source on the scene:

From outside the Capitol, my view is obstructed -- but it looks like 500-600 people (at least!) in attendance.

Shorly after 9pm, Senate leadership took the stage. Reid spoke first, followed by Speaker, Nancy Pelosi. She asked the crowd, "Are we united in speaking out against Republican obstructionism?" The crowd responded with a roar!

Pelosi was followed by Durbin -- then Congressman John Lewis and then Schumer, then Pat Murphy, then Patty Murray -- who led the crowd in a "Wake up" call chant.

Quote from Murray, "It's time to change the mission and bring our troops home. They've done everything we've asked them to do."

From the Senate, we have in attendance the following: Reid, Reed, Durbin, Levin, Schumer, Pelosi, Leahy, Klobuchar, McCaskill, Murray, Akaka, Casey, Launtenberg, and Harkin.

During the middle of the program, the House emptied out and flooded the rally.