See Dem, See Dem Run, See Dem Lose

Democrats are simply out of touch with America. As I have pointed out before, Americans in general are not anti-war. They are anti-losing. At this rate, the Democrats are positioning themselves to do what many were beginning to think was all but impossible ... blow their momentum leading up to the fall elections.

They've been out maneuvered by the Republicans, again.

In a 256-153 vote, the GOP-led House approved a nonbinding resolution that praises U.S. troops, labels the Iraq war part of the larger global fight against terrorism and says an "arbitrary date for the withdrawal or redeployment" of troops is not in the national interest.

"Stay the course, I don't think so Mr. President. It's time to face the facts," House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of California answered, as she called for a new direction in the conflict. "The war in Iraq has been a mistake. I say, a grotesque mistake."

Comments

[Jim Eglinas]

Dan..Come on I know i expected it! Great Blog!!Jim

[M.A.]

You know perfectly well that instead of an actual debate on the war, the Republicans rigged the resolution so that no amendments could be proposed, no suggestions offered for how to win in Iraq, and so that the Iraq situation could be conflated with the "war on Terror." It was, in other words, a game of Calvinball posing as a debate.

What's more, it was the Republicans playing bait-and-switch on one of their own, as Boehner promised Walter Jones a full debate on the war, and instead substituted this sham debate (which is why Jones didn't vote on the resolution).

Don't you think it would actually be helpful for the House to have a full debate on the situation in Iraq and potential solutions? Do you think this vague resolution -- the equivalent of "I love puppies and kittens and I dare you to vote against them" -- is a serious way to approach a serious issue? If not, I have to conclude that you conservatives simply don't take the Iraq war seriously -- unlike liberals, who actually consider this a serious situation.

[Dan]

Don't you think it would actually be helpful for the House to have a full debate on the situation in Iraq and potential solutions?

Uh, NO! They aren't Consitutionally empowered to wage war and they have had plenty of opportunities to convey their opinions - and they have. If they want to run the war, let one of them win the Presidency. Both sides should stop playing politics and attend to legislation as they were meant to do. They can't even offer legislation when it comes to war, as it would ne unconstituional to do so. So, Kerry and his resolution is just as much politics as is the Reps. The Dems just got beat at their own game, is all.

[M.A.]

Ah, okay, Dan -- you're into the whole unitary-executive, President-as-King thing. But in the actual world of U.S. government, the Congress does have a say in this, namely that they control the flow of money. And since they have a say in it, they should be debating it, especially because they work for us, not for the President. (Though Boehner and Hastert don't seem to be familiar with that concept.)

[Dan]

the Congress does have a say in this, namely that they control the flow of money

Wrong. i fully understand their constitutional authority - they just voted on an appropriations bill in this regard. They've had their say. You know damn well this is all politics on both parts. They don't need to debate anything, both sides know where they stand. But the Senate is going to debate it next week, correct? Guess what? The Dems will wind up looking foolish again - just as they did today.

[Rick]

"Congress does have a say in this, namely that they control the flow of money. And since they have a say in it, they should be debating it, especially because they work for us, not for the President."

Now let me get this straight; Most Americans want something done about illegal immigration, social suckurity reform, health care reform, levees repaired, federal highway money, trade reform, education reform, etc. while the congress worries about whether some jock is taking drugs. Not to mention that one party is always obstructing the other, rather than meeting somewhere in the middle....FOR THE GOOD OF THE DAMNED COUNTRY. And you think they work for us? My word, no wonder we're about to land on the compost heap with the other "lost empires". Fire them all, every damned, useless, power hungry one and let's get back to the way things were meant to be done...........Then you wont be so wrong in your cute little assumption.

[mylena]

rick i think you have a point!!! its about time that maybe a third party comes up (or is that unthinkable?)

[Rick]

mylena; I think it is now the best time ever for a third party. The system has become sick and ineffective. We deserve, should demand, representatives of the people instead of puppets to private interests.