I was outraged when I heard than Democrats had capitulated to Bush on funding the occupation of Iraq. But, after sober consideration, I've come to the conclusion that congressional Dems chose their best option, and really their only politically viable option.
I feel the need to remind everyone of a simple fact: our troops will remain in Iraq as long as George W. Bush is commander-in-chief. Nothing, nothing the Democrats do will change that. Bush will figure out a way to fund his illegal occupation. Hell, if Rudy Giuliani believes that the president has an "inherent authority to support the troops," without congress appropriating funds, Bushco won't be far behind. Bush will do whatever it takes to keep our soldiers and equipment on Iraqi soil. Maybe he'll cut troop pay in half or shut down half the Pentagon, but he'll figure out a way. Maybe the Democrats could take to him to court -- that will work about as well as as getting a speedy legal resolution to the subpoenas that the White House is ignoring.
And you think the Democrats are about to buy themselves partial ownership of this war? It's nothing compared to what would happen during a long-term funding stalemate. I'd like to believe that we could win the battle for the public perception of who is really responsible for the lack of funds. But, sadly, especially considering the traditional media's continued to fealty to Bushco spin, I don't think it's fight that we're ready for. It wouldn't be long before Bush (and probably his errand-boy, Patraeus) are blaming every insurgent attack and every American death on a lack of funds. Does anyone really believe that's a political battle we'll win? A year from now, Bush and a thousand talking heads will be repeating over and over that we were winning in Iraq before Democrats cut off funding.
I hate the political realities of ending the war. But we are the reality-based community, and it's time we accepted the realities. I don't know for certain that we'd lose on the politics of de-funding the war, but I do think it's likely. And I am certain that the war would continue anyway. Are you sure that Democrats wouldn't be politically hobbled by a long-term funding stalemate? Really?? And do you really believe that the stalemate would end the occupation? We can continue this fight in many ways, inside and outside of congress, but we need to be realistic about what is possible and what isn't.