What the Democratic leadership fears most is that the disastrous administration of George Bush will end before the 2008 election and that a competent Republican caretaker President will take office. This is the only rational explanation for the utterly ineffectual "resistance" to Bush that the Democratic majority in Congress has mounted.
Simply put, the more damage Bush does to America, the bigger the election victory that the Democratic party will enjoy in 2008. This ugly calculation is why a growing number of progressive voters are furious at the Democratic leadership, and why passionate populists like Cindy Sheehan are challenging the Speaker. This diary explores the Democratic Party's dirty deal with the devil in an imaginary dialog.
The Devil: I can give your Democratic Party a permanent super-majority in Congress and control of the White House for four terms. Are you interested?
Pelosi: Sounds good, but what do we have to do?
The Devil: My man Dubya needs to kill, torture, and plunder through the end of his term. I wouldn't like to see him stopped before 2008.
Pelosi: What if he goes batshit insane and bombs Iran?
The Devil: Nobody will blame you, and you will be on record opposing expanding the war.
Pelosi: What if he declares martial law and won't leave office?
The Devil: The Army hates him more than you do. Besides, he's tired of the long hours and would rather clear brush.
Pelosi: But we promised the voters we would end the war.
The Devil: You will be pilloried as traitors, appeasers, and cowards. Let Bush screw up until nobody wants to hear about Iraq.
Pelosi: A thousand more Americans will die if we don't stop him.
The Devil: Yes, and tens of thousands will die in the next oil war unless the NeoCons are completely discredited.
Pelosi: Why can't we just impeach him and force him to resign?
The Devil: And have a competent Republican President? The country is crying out for a decent leader, and they will be so grateful and loyal to this savior that they will deny you victory in 2008.
Pelosi: How can I trade certain evil for possible future good?
The Devil: Look, madam speaker, the more evil Bush does now, the better off America will be in the future, because nobody connected with Bush will ever be allowed to hold power again. You have to encourage him to do his worst, while pretending to restrain him.
Pelosi: So we will do great future good by letting Bush do a little more evil now?
The Devil: You've got it. The end justifies the means, just like I tell my friends Dick and Karl.
Pelosi: It's a deal, but don't tell the voters.