For those outside of Iowa, Barack Obama and Chucky Grassley, who has been embarrassing Iowa since 1974, have been sparring over Iraq.
Well, not exactly. They've been sparring over talking about Iraq.
You see, Obama has been campaigning in Iowa and has pointed out that Iowans should lobby their Representatives and Senators about overriding Bush's vetoes that are prolonging the war.
Chucky G has engaged in a policy of one part "Whine" and one part "duck and cover."
Chucky's latest retreat and bleat after the fold.
As I diaried yesterday, Chucky's response has been to call Obama "not Senatorial" and "lacking political class." In other words, he's accusing Obama of anti-Broderism.
Obama responded simply:
"This isn't about Washington etiquette, it's about bringing our troops home," said Obama.
You will note that Chuck has declined to actually, you know, discuss the merits of staying in Iraq or siding with Bush. No, he instead whines about people asking him about it.
Well, he became even more aggressive in his strategy of retreat and cowardice, if that makes any sense.
His latest response: "Who cares what I think? I'm only a U.S. Senator!"
No, seriously.
You see, Obama didn't stop pressuring Grassley just because Chucky invoked the spirit of Broder. Instead he pressed and escalated the feud.
Washington, D.C. - Barack Obama and Iowa's senior U.S. senator continued to spar Friday over a call to bring troops home from Iraq.
Obama, a Democratic candidate for president, has twice used campaign speeches to suggest that Iowans lobby Republican Sen. Charles Grassley to vote to override a presidential veto of a military spending bill.
But an aide to Grassley said Friday that Obama's remarks "renew the questions about his readiness."
Beth Levine, Grassley's press secretary, said Grassley is not a key vote for a veto override.
"Sen. Obama might want to sign up for American Government 101 to learn about the veto process," Levine said. "Or, he could learn the job he has in the U.S. Senate before thinking he ought to be presiden
Snotty condescension. Chucky, you're slipping. But, why is Barack Obama so ignorant?
Levine, Grassley's press aide, said that the veto override would have to begin in the U.S. House, because the spending bill originated there.
"It's been demonstrated that the votes aren't there to override the veto," she said.
"So there isn't an opportunity for a veto override in the Senate in this case and as a result there's no way Sen. Grassley holds a key vote," she said.
You see. First Chuck Grassley whines about having people point out how he's voting on Iraq.
Then he actually says that people shouldn't pay attention to his vote, because after all, he's only a U.S. Senator. (How often do politicians point out an alleged lack of clout?)
What is he not doing? DISCUSSING THE ISSUE OF IRAQ ON THE MERITS. He is not defending the war in Iraq, his own president, or even his own voting record.
Is there any better indication as to which direction the wave of public opinion and political will is going?
We have them on the run. Let's keep it up.