""Iraq is going to be there -- it's just a question of when we get back to it," Reid said, predicting it would be "days, not weeks" before the Senate returned to the issue. The war reauthorization legislation also appears to lack the 60 votes it would need to pass the Senate."

The whole days not weeks part is sort of important.  As is the fact that Reid is trying to put together 60 votes to get something done, which is actually NOT the easiest thing in the world to do.  

I'm against this war.  I've been against it from the start.  I want it ended YESTERDAY.  But I am nonetheless baffled when other progressives assume that b/c that hasn't happened yet the Democratic leadership has somehow betrayed them.  Believe it or not, shutting down the war isn't simple -- politically or legislatively.  God knows we can't afford to wait any longer than is necessary to get out, but I'm not going to pretend that Nancy Pelosi or Harry reid have somehow "failed" b/c they haven't been able to reverse 7 years of damage in a matter of months, while working with a fragile majority.

If the Democratic leaders will not do the will of the people, we must make it clear to them that we will take from them their power.  Better to have a Republican majority subverting the will of the people than a Democratic majority who refuses to keep the promises on which they were elected.  We MUST hold our elected officials accountable. If they don't wish to work for US, they must be removed.  

We cannot let cowardly, fearful Democratic "leaders" claim ownership of the disasterous policies and actions of Bush and the Republicans simply because they are afraid to lead.

There's a great line from Clockwork Orange, where the activist is talking on the phone with his buddy and explaining why he was going to use the lead character as an example to the world...

I wish I could remember it fully, but it goes something like this:

People will gladly give up their freedoms and liberties for safety and security... that is why they must be prodded... PRODDED, I tell you!!!

It is our job to keep prodding our leaders.

Thanks,

Mike

I'm confused... WHO, I mean which congress critters has come out and said NO to Murtha...?  Has the whole of the Blue Democrats come out e.g...  Apparently there are Jay Inslee, a DLC'er was FOR Murtha... so I would like a little bit more of a breakdown - if possible?

Is this negativity on the bill coming out from discussions BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, and only coming out to us - that they haven't got the votes...?

Plus, where do our newbies stand?

In the 109th Congress, Senator Frist was always willing to invoke the "nuclear" option.  Perhaps, this is the Democratic opportunity to revisit the nuclear option or for breaking the filibuster.  And if the war is not that opportunity, I don't know what is.

In any event, passing a legislation to end the war, would have to survive a presidential veto, and Reid, despite some criticism heaped on him, remains a viable candidate to create a veto-proof Senate.

And if Reid is not successful, the elections of 2008, is just around the corner and access to the White House, will be the Democrats' best "opportunity" of all.

Bush gets to screw up Iraq and in return the Dems won't face endless vetoes.

this is why the Democrats, just like the republicans, arent to be trusted.  Iraq's the most pressing issue.  There should be no talk of anything else other than ending the war.  Healthcare and lower rates on student loans is nice....but I'm having a hard time bitching about student loans where there are bombs killing about 100 on a daily basis in the streets of bagdah.  Thus far, what I've seen from the democratic congress is that they're ALL talk with not action.  This has been by far, the most corrupt administration in the history of this country and yet, bringing accountability (in the form of impeachment) is still NOT AN OPTION.  What's going on? And why do I feel duped

And is it my problem that you do?

I know politics take time and moves slowly.  Most people do.  Who forgot to tell you?

   The Democrats are not stopping the war for two reasons, I think.

   Reason One is they believe that the war is the Republican's albatross, and that as long as it is going and they say Iraq is Bush's War, then they can win big in 2008 and beyond. They believe that leaving Iraq helps get Bush CO. off the hook.

    Reason Two is that they don't buy the polling, and that the American public will get their ass if they try to end the war. It would also provide an opening for the Republicans, who would be able to tar the Democrats as traitors, and move the public against them.

    Frankly, I don't know what to make of it. I think the public is very fickle and ill informed. As such, I think they will blame the Democrats on the Iraq War, just as they did the Republicans, so its a damned if you do damned if you don't kind of agenda. I also believe that the American public would buy into the Republican mantra of Democrats being traitors if we leave. That said, since the Democrats are defintely going to lose public support to the Republicans no matter what, I think they should do the moral thing and end the war, since they will take a hit one way or the other (I am not saying they will become the minority in either chamber necessarily).

This is war! we shouldnt be playing political games with it.  I'd respect the democrats even more if they did the right thing which at this point can be summed up in two points: 1-end the war and 2-impeach bush.  Do they not understand that they can keep saying how this is Bush's war and blah blah, but every time they vote Yea on funding the war becomes theirs too.  I havent forgotten that the democrats controlled the senate when Bush sought the authorization to go to war (John Edwards co-sponsored)! So in that sense, the lack of courage they displayed in 02 makes them co-signers of the war.  

It's time for action.  If you disagree then get out of the way and stop telling people one thing and then once elected do another.

"How dare they not fulfill their promise and impeach Bush!"

Too bad they NEVER campaigned or gave any serious consideration to impeachment. The only talk about it was the constant ranting by the netroots.