The Wrong Decision, Pragmatically Speaking

The question before senate Democrats today wasn't whether or not to seek revenge on Joe Lieberman.

The question was whether or not to strengthen the hand of one of the fiercest proponents of Bush-McCain foreign and homeland security policy.

Ask yourself this: will it be easier or harder for us to repair the damage we've inflicted on our reputation around the world with Joe Lieberman in charge of one of the key national security committees? What happens when he uses that committee to highlight phantom threats to the homeland emanating from places like Iraq? Do you think this is a sign that Democrats are serious about withdrawing from Iraq, or a signal that they too plan to stay the course?

Senate Democrats were right about one thing. This was a pragmatic issue. The problem is that by misunderstanding the situation they face, they made the wrong pragmatic decision.

And because of that, it will be even harder to achieve the change that we need.