I am sorry, but these votes are conducted almost 100% alongst party-line votes. How can we blame the Democratic leadership for party-line votes?   We don't have enough votes in the Senate.  Whatever is offered (that will be deemed too aggressive by the GOPers) will be defeated, that much is clear.  That is, unless something can be found that some Republicans can sign onto in a binding resolution.  What we have so far is simply not feasible, is just symbolism.  Not that I disagree with the existence of those bills, since those votes "on the record" will come into play in 2008, but in addition, if we really want to see something achieved instead of just "hollering" and "waxing," something that entices 10 to 12 of the more moderate Republicans has to be found that could pass in a binding resolution.  I am not confident any GOPer will sign on to something that would change the status quo, but you never know.  I like some of the ideas floated like remove funding from Iraq itself if certain parameters aren't met (which they won't be,) capping troop levels at a certain number, passing legislation to make it mandatory for Bush to ask Congress if Iran became a target, etc.   Those are things that can perhaps be done now to chip away at Bush's war authority and could achieve something.  This nuts-and-bolts legislation would be in addition to the largely symbolic demands for defunding the troops, immediate withdrawal, etc.  which have no chance of passing whatsoever.