The Democratic Party's stance on Iraq, since before the 2004 elections had been fairly consistent and can be boiled down to a single phrase...
"Shit or Get off the Pot" or, if you prefer, "Fish or cut bait"
more ranting below::
During the 2004 election, candidates in the presidential election made it clear that they believed that it would take a much larger contingency of troops to finish the job that Bush had started. Despite all the debate on whether or not the war was ill-advised, criminal, etc... there was a pretty strong consensus that we must finish the job that was started. Since the flying of the now infamous "Mission Accomplished" banner, members of the Democratic Party have been calling for a clear plan and path to "victory". We have been telling the current administration "fish or cut bait", "put up or shut up", and "shit or get off the pot". They didn't. Like the stereotypical stubborn man lost and driving aimlessly, this administration has been too stubborn to stop and ask for directions. And because of that, were are where we are today; further from our destination and almost out of gas.
Someone wiser than me once said "the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results". Stay the course does not work when you are pointing in the wrong direction and rapidly approaching a cliff. So I say to you, Mr. President, Shit or get off the pot. It may be too late; your bowels may already be compacted, yet still "Shit or get of the muthafunkin' pot"
From now on, everytime I hear a Hannity or Carlson talking about cut and run Democrats, I will look them squarely in the eye (trough my tv) and tell them, you had your chance, shot or get off the pot.