Storm Warning
Joe Klein, arguably the angry left's favorite media chew toy despite his antipathy toward the Iraq war, has another column that will endear him even further with the nutroots. He points out the obvious, that things honestly are getting better there and that the Democrats are treading in a political minefield if they continue trying to damage the war effort.
Also obvious: There are fewer votes now in Congress–and less cause–to cut off funding for the war than there were last Spring. A renewed campaign on the part of the hapless Democratic leadership to cut off the supplemental funds will only increase the public sense of Democratic futility. It will also play into the very real, and growing, public perception that Democrats are too busy wasting time on symbolic measures (like trying to cut off funds for the war) and shoveling pork (the water projects bill) to pass anything substantive for the public good. Too much time, and political capital, has been wasted fighting Bush legislatively on the war. I'm sure the President and the Republican Party are salivating over the prospect that Democrats will waste more time and capital over it this month…especially at a moment, however fleeting, when the situation on the ground seems to have improved in Iraq. Democrats need to think this over very, very carefully before they proceed.
It is possible that the lower ranked members of the party may yet get the attention of the perennially tin-eared Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, but it is an uphill battle. Despite the gale warning flags, Reid just announced another attempt to cut off funding while Pelosi, in a rare glimmer of sense rescheduled the House attempt after members pointed out that they would rather not have to face the voters over Veteran’s Day having just tried to cut the troops off at the knees.
Klein is a favorite target for the nutroots because he tries hard to be honest, an unforgivable sin to the perpetually outraged. How’s the inbox holding up, Joe?
By Mockinbird, Wednesday, 14 November , 2007 @ 11:39 am
So much for the truth.
By martian, Wednesday, 14 November , 2007 @ 12:38 pm
The Democrats seem determined to continue trying to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Unfortunately for them, the general public seems to be waking up to the fact that the Dems are still trying to do so - even in the face of report after report about improving conditions in Iraq. Perhaps that’s why their approval ratings are in the toilet. Even the extremely left leaning MSM has been forced to admit and report on the improving conditions - but not our faithful Congressional Majority! Never let it be said that they let facts get in the way of their objectives! They will continue to do their very best to undermine our nation’s war effort. I guess it’s just lucky for the rest of us that the current Congressional Leadership (Pelosi & Reid) seem to be the most ineffective and bumbling leaders in history!