So the Dems want to cave on their "strong" stand against funding more money for Iraq without a firm withdrawal plan. Sure, we knew that one was coming. But only Pelosi and Reid could do it in such a way as to make it twice as bad as "just another cave-in" in a long list of cave-ins. What do I mean? Read below the fold and I'll tell you.
If I understand the deal on the table the Dems will give Bush $50MM without strings attached in order to continue his disastrous war so long as he accedes to an increase in some domestic spending programs.
So not only do they fail once gain to deliver the long hoped for end of the Iraq War legislation, they have played right into two other memes that Republicans repeatedly use to bludgeon Democrats:
- Democrats can't exercise fiscal control and want to expand government and government spending and
- By cutting a deal to give Bush his priority in exchange for their priority they reinforce the image that the "DC establishment" is really one entity that makes Democratic control undifferentiated from Republican control. As my staunch Republican friend frequently says when I corner him on Bush "They all suck. He's no better. But really, what's the difference?"
The only reason that I can come up with for why they would make this deal is that they want this Congress to get something done. They know that Congressional approval ratings are in the toilet. Unfortunately, when they hear about the "do-nothing Congress" they think the American people are talking about social programs.
Memo to Reid and Pelosi: The action the American people want is an end to the War. If you do nothing but that, you will not be called a do nothing Congress. If you pass 20 social programs, but fail to curtail Bush on Iraq and Iran, this Congress will go down as ineffectual and its approval ratings will continue to scrape the floor. If Bush vetoes an Iraq spending bill that has a firm war ending deadline in it, he will feel the political fallout, not you.
Defund the War! No Negotiation!! No Compromise!!!