I sometimes wonder what the Netroots actually wants from the Democratic Congress except to complain about it. KOS on the FrontPage today is a fine illustration.
http://www.dailykos.com/...
First attacking, Domestic Spending as "pork" is a rightwing frame that damages us, but second and more importantly what should Democratic Congressional Leaders do. Telling them, not to sell out, or to stand tough or not another penny, none of this is nearly specific enough. By the End of Year, Congress must pass 11 appropriations bills to keep funding the federal government, President Bush has threatened to Veto any bill that increases spending or which gives any time table for withdrawal from Iraq, based on his SCHIP veto, the politics of it exactly are not that important and House Republicans still seem to have the President’s back to a point where overriding is not an option.
So Democrats are forced with three choices. Given the President what he wants to keep the lights on the spending side, and fight about Iraq later with no new money, try to see if some new money for the Pentagon will allow for some new for Domestic Spending. Or Shut down the Federal Government until George Bush blinks. Those are the options. There aren’t the votes to force George Bush to leave Iraq without a veto override. The President can already probably stretch the money he has, to stay until there is a New President. Moveon.org spend the whole summer trying to get Republican to move, and then didn’t move. In short House Republicans are down with George Bush on almost everything. We could force a shut down on spending, or not send another dime to the Pentagon, but right now as much as the Country hates Congress, if the Election were held tomorrow Democrats would win a huge victory. Do we need a Government shut down fight, over spending or Iraq? Is that the best course? Is there some other magical option to deal with the current situation that I am missing? Kos, what is your plan for Democrats in Congress to handle Iraq and the budget?
Otherwise I am going to assume the Democrats in Congress are playing the hand they are dealt the best way they can.