A version of this was posted earlier today at skippy the bush kangaroo.
Normally, I'm for bipartisan efforts. I'm no Grover Norquidst.
But I'm for bipartisanship when both sides are working together to reach the same goal. But the Republicans are hiding a political IED for the Democrats and the Congressional Democrats need to be warned to avoid it.
Billmon, Aug. 1
So here's my confession: At this point I really don't give a flying fuck whether the Democrats take the House or the Senate back. No, wait, that's not true. The truth is I hope they don't. It wouldn't save us from what's coming down the road, in the Middle East and elsewhere. It wouldn't force President Psychopath to change course or seek therapy. But it would make sure that the "left" (ha ha ha) gets more than its fair share of blame for the approaching debacle.
(Emphasis mine)
Republican consultant Mike Murphy, Dec. 12
Bush likes to move boldly and preemptively. He would be well advised to do so right now by adopting a strategy that he would find immensely painful but that is the best option he has. He should trump the Baker commission by extending its bipartisan spirit to make the Democrats an offer no patriot can refuse: He should establish a bipartisan war council made up of his national security team and the Democratic leaders of the key national security committees in Congress.
Under the president's leadership, this council would conduct the Iraq war, becoming the key coordinating vehicle for Iraqi policy. The president would not cede his authority as commander in chief, but he would work with this group — which would include such leaders as Sens. Joseph R. Biden Jr. (D-Del.) and Carl Levin (D-Mich.) and Reps. Ike Skelton (D-Mo.) and Silvestre Reyes (D-Texas) — to develop a consensus policy for Iraq.
Congressional Democrats: Don’t. Fall. For. It.
When your political enemy is sinking, throw him an anchor. But don't hold onto the rope and let him drag you to the bottom with him.
That's what Congressional Democrats will be doing if they accept any plan of Bush's that involves joining him on a "War Council" or some other such nonsense.
I know there will be Democrats who'll see it as an opportunity to burnish their "bipartisan" credentials and national security credentials for any runs for president in the future. (I'm talking about you Senator Biden.) Some might actually think joining Bush in any effort like this would make sense out of a sense patriotism or to try to help get the U.S. out of Iraq.
Do not fall for this trap.
Bush will not listen to any advice. He's incapable of it.
He won't listen to his own father, for crying out loud. He's not going to listen to any Democrats.
They will simply be there for Republicans to hoist the blame onto them in the future. They'll provide cover for Bush's legacy, which is all that son of a bitch cares about.
He will not listen.
So do not fall into his trap.
Congressional Democrats need to hold Bush and his administration accountable and not provide a figleaf of "bipartisanship" that he won't practice in reality.
So when the Photo Op President comes out with his PR campaign once he thinks enough time has passed for enough people to forget the Iraq Study Group report and he offers the new Democratic majority a seat at his table, don't take it. Ignore any efforts by Chief of Staff Josh Bolten to convince you that Bush will listen. He won't
Instead, remind Mr. War PResident, that he is the commander in chief and that they intend to respect the Constitutional separation of powers and to do their duty as the third branch of government.
That is the role they should follow.
Not scapegoats to his misdeeds.