From the first day of the session, it was pretty clear that the Dems were never going to able to pass any worthwhile legislation on Iraq in the 110th.

The numbers simply aren't there.

The closest we come is a defunding rider in an apps bill which passes the House and triggers a GOP filibuster (in the modern sense) which the Dems either face down, or they don't.

Followed by a similar battle with the prez.

And, so far as I'm aware, there has never been any sign that any significant member of the Dem leadership group in either house has contemplated that strategy.

Why? Because they don't think they have a snowball's chance in hell of beating the media onslaught that would follow. (And I rather think they're right there.)

Bear in mind that, right now, all they've managed is to pass (just in the House) is a nonbinding res in opposition to a surge that's well underway, and will soon be complete.

It's not the cowardice of leaderships, I'd say, but the reluctance of their troops which is holding them back.

And - I'm very much afraid that, failing a catastrophe, there's much that can be done to change that.