Democrats must be very careful not to step too deeply into the muck...

that has been created in Iraq and the Middle East. The calls for "bi-partisanship" and working together are in reality, calls to "share the blame". First of all, we are supposed to believe that if we walk away, it will be a "disaster". And perhaps it will? And perhaps it will be no different if we stay - except that they all hate the Americans and more Americans will die each day we are there. That is the sad fact.

If that does not matter, then we can stay there for years - even decades. Democrats must understand that they will be left holding the bag after the election of 2008. Whether we succeed or fail is up to them. The cards are not stacked for success. They are about to inherit a skunk.

The family that owned the skunk moved away and left it in the back yard. Now the new residents will have to decide what to do about it. They can't kill it, otherwise the smell would be worse than ever. They can't ignore it. They are stuck with it.

Newly appointed Chairman of the Intelligence Committee Reyes thinks sending more troops to Iraq is just the ticket.

Looks like they'll get the stink they're asking for.

If people run for national political office, they should anticipate having to deal with difficult problems. If they do not want to make difficult choices then they should not run for public office. The purpose of the US Congress is not to make it comfortable for elected members and give them a chance to hide from pressing national issues. This is one of the real problems with the current system: it makes it all too easy for people to hide from issues and responsibility.

Already the Republicans are trying to sell America on the fact that failure in Iraq is Demcorats fault, and they are going to try harder and harder as the years go buy.

We need to get some sort of success out of Iraq or we need to say authoritively that there was no chance of winning in Iraq thanks to Bush's failures. Neither option seems all that likely to actually occur.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

The push to have Democrats "share the blame" can be seen all the more clearly when you consider the picture if the ISG report comes out exactly word for word as it now is, but with the repukes still in the majority in House and Senate. "Bi-partisanship" can easily become a "muck" - just as you say. I firmly believe this is not the time for normal politic. Having been left a rotting skunk, it's time perhaps to wash some hides in vinegar.

Personally, I believe we have to get out now, but I also believe we made the situation bad, and it is irresponsible for us to abandon it completely. I think that's where most Dem lawmakers are. They don't know how to reconcile the two facts, so some want a pullout now, some want to send more troops to shore the situation up as much as possible before pulling out (which was the classic mistake in Viet Nam), and many are just stuck in the middle, saying they want a pullout soon, but not yet.

The problem is, Congress is not suited for leaders. It's a concensus body. They follow a leader, or they oppose a leader, but the institution is not structured for leaders to rise up within and lead Congress. If Congress is lucky enough to wind up with a visionary Speaker, it can lead. But more often there are dozens of leaders, all certain they are right, and they cancel each other out and nothing happens. They follow a compromise of all the ideas, which usually goes no where.

Let's see how Pelosi does--what kind of leader she is.

My own solution is that we should withdraw immediately, and turn control over to an international oversight body, then fund that body (since we have a responsibility to try to fix what we destroyed). We can't be seen as being in control of that body, which means we have to offer our troops up to someone else's command. Americans would never go for that, though. So my plan wouldn't work.

It's early, and I'm already rambling. It's going to be a long day. :evilfrown:

I agree...Democrats need to point out,at every opportunity, that this was Bush's decision to invade and his administration's management of all facets of this disaster. Congress, particularly Democrats, had absolutely "0" oversight and responsibility for this quagmire. Bush gets 100% credit for this fiasco.

Exactly! We have to distance ourselves from whatever Bush does, period. Unless of course, he starts to bring the troops home NOW.

more than any other that they are associated with in public's perception; not just the war in Iraq on false pretences, but its FAILURE!

Not only that, either, but their obstinate refusal to call and end to it, stop the turkey shoot of US troops and the hemorrhaging of billions and billions of dollars. The fact that uber-corrupt and derelict Halliburton, Bechtel, etc, are the chief proximate beneficiaries thereof only adds fuel to the fire of their raging impatience.

The public do not see "staying the course" as a sign of strength; in the US, no more than anywhere else in the world.

Have you not been reading the opinions of most of the generals and other principals concerned in it? For all practical purposes, the war in Iraq is unwinnable.

From your support of Clark the hawks' hawk, kentuck, and these kind of posts you've been making on Iraq, I find myself wondering whether you are one of the people George Carlin says feel bad about themselves for having left a few women and children alive in Vietnam. Perish the thought.

I'm only trying to report it as I see it. Agree or disagree is your right.

We simply MUST DEMAND that US Forces be removed from Iraq NOW!!!!!

The War was a HORRIBLE MISTAKE -- foisted on the American and Iraqi people by a LYING, CORRUPT Cabal/Regime of THUGS intent only on gaining more POWER and PROFITS for themselves and their CORPORATE MASTERS!!!

It is ABSOLUTELY IMMORAL that there should be ANY MORE LOSS OF LIFE IN IRAQ!!

DEMOCRATS MUST DEMAND THE IMMEDIATE, TOTAL, and UNCONDITIONAL WITHDRAWAL of American troops from Iraq!!!

NOW!!!