Brian Beutler: The Fascinating Politics of a Drawn-Out Battle Over the Minimum Wage

With the notable exception of Tennessee's Bob Corker, Senate Republicans united on Wednesday, using their power under filibuster rules to prevent a debate on a bill that would increase the minimum wage gradually to $10.10 an hour.

On a superficial level, this was a staged, political vote with a predictable outcome, designed to draw a distinction between the parties for voters ahead of the midterm election. Increasing the minimum wage is overwhelmingly popular, even in conservative states, and Democrats want the voters to know which party opposes it. Or better yet, to use the minimum wage as a wedge issue and split the party.