Bush Hands Dems A Small Quagmire Of Their Own

There's a hidden story, or, to be more accurate, a now below the headlines hidden story which really puts the Democrats in a tough spot. And it's probably why you won't see much real opposition to Bush on the Iraq troop increase ... other than perhaps a perfunctory ... we're not sure and we're never happy resolution, assuming they have the votes:

The office of Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the House, followed with an announcement that the House would also take up a resolution in opposition to a troop increase. House Democrats were scheduled to meet Wednesday morning to consider whether to interrupt their carefully choreographed 100-hour, two-week-long rollout of their domestic agenda this month to address the Iraq war.

In both chambers, Democrats made clear that the resolutions — which would do nothing in practical terms to block Mr. Bush’s intention to increase the United States military presence in Iraq — would be the minimum steps they would pursue.

Did you know the House voted to up the minimum wage today? A Senate version may even need to include a tax break to get it passed.

Unlike the House-passed bill, the Senate's would include small-business tax cuts that Democrats believe are necessary to placate Republicans and the business community and win the 60 votes necessary to break a possible filibuster.

The Democrats wanted their first 100 hours to be the equal of the Contract with America in an effort to brand themselves as the party of small and middle America - whatever that is. Now Bush has sucked every last bit of air out of it. And if they start a fight with him, the moment will be gone.

As with most endeavors, war and politics included, things never go quite like we plan. The Dems will cut Bush just enough slack on that score as regards Iraq to move things along and try to get back in control of the news cycle on issues they can actually do something about. Issues they hope to carry them into greater power in 2008. And opposing Bush on Iraq right now is far from a no brain-er, as far as political strategy goes.

By the time they see how the public responds, too many of their 100 hours will be gone. And they won't be coming back.

Comments

[reliapundit]

the following ws posted by reliapundit @ 7:51 AM
http://astuteblogger.blogspot.com/2007/01/cut-run-reds-in-house-begin-to-trample.html

CUT & RUN REDS IN THE HOUSE BEGIN TO TRAMPLE THE ECONOMY

Pelosi's Cut & Run Reds passed a bill yesterday which is comprised of cherry-picked items from the 9/11 Commission recommendations.

ONE ITEM: 100% inspection of all shipping containers heading into the USA. Currently every manifest is triple-checked to the point of origin. And there have been ZERO problems. But if 100% of the containers have to go though physical inspection, this will GREATLY SLOW SHIPPING AND HURT TRADE. 100% is ridiculous and unnecessary - like 100% inspection of all airline passengers. Both 100% inspection processes ignore the fact that SOME containers (like some passengers) are more risky than others.

Pelosi's Cut & Run Reds in the House KNOW THIS, and they passed the bill this way anyhow. WHY?!? For the SYMBOLIC effect: They know that the Senate will probably not pass a bill with this provision, and that it will fall out during conference. But passing it in the House makes them seem tough on the war on terror. Seeming trough is more important to the CUT & RUN REDS than actually BEING tough.

Cut & Run Reds love this tactic; it's a tactic most often called going for "SYMBOLIC VICTORY" - they're this using this tactic on the TROOP SURGE TOO! Instead of voting to prevent funding of any troop surge their just going to vote a non-binding resolution.

Too bad for us: the world, reality, and the the GWOT are MORE than merely symbolic. And the REALL EFFECTS of these Leftist anti-trade and anti-victory moves in the REAL are all bad.

FACT: if these two Leftist policies both became law -- if 100% container inspection were to pass the Senate - along with the increase in the minimum wage - (which WILL PASS) - then they would together lead to an increase in unemployment and a slow-down on the economy - by increasing costs for businesses.This will also lead to HIGHER INFLATION. The fact that Leftist policies hurt the economy is no surprise; ALL LEFTIST POLICIES - like those announced by Sheehan's "lover" Chavez - ALWAYS HURT THE ECONOMY.

[Purple Avenger]

"But if 100% of the containers have to go though physical inspection, this will GREATLY SLOW SHIPPING AND HURT TRADE."

A few years ago I did the math on ONLY the port of Long Beach CA for 100% inspection of containers. The manpower and time is staggering...

That was assuming an insanely low 1/2 hour total per container, and ignoring the massive theft and compensation claims that will undoubtedly occur when stuff starts to disappear (which it will).

The dems have no idea what they're getting themselves into here. There's going to be ships stacked outside US ports like cord wood.

[salvage]

Bush Hands Dems A Small Quagmire Of Their Own...

What's the other "quagmire" you're talking about Danny?

You don't mean Iraq do you?

[Good Lt]

He's just using Ted Kennedy's characterization for the sake of illustration.

He's your boy, after all. How's Mary Jo, BTW?

[Carl]

Mary Jo? How about Michael Douglas - you know, Laura Bush's boyfriend that she 'accidently' splattered across a TX highway?

[Republicans are Riehlly Weak]

Oh yeah. Those Democrat idiots are totally *screwed* after passing the minimum wage hike. After all, it's only supported by 80% of Americans. And it's clearly a political stunt timed perfectly to win the next set of elections. The foolish dhimmicrat party has sealed its own fate.

And we should not inspect the containers. What a silly idea. We should have a huge wall, though, to keep Mexicans out, but let any old thing in via container ship (after all, no one has the audacity to smuggle anything in by container ship).

[Stevie Nichts]

Check out the photo that the NYTimes uses to accompany the article: http://graphics10.nytimes.com/images/2007/01/10/world/10capitol_600.jpg

I especially like the way the photo frames Reid's head against the spoked ceiling; it makes Harry look like he's sporting an old-time halo, akin to old woodcuts. He even has one hand raised in the traditional benediction pose. Geez, it's not even all that subtle: Saint Harry will save us from Bushitler!

[moonkat]

Wow the Dems are screwing themselves by a minimum wage hike, I mean it has only been about 10 years and do the kind of people that work for minimum really deserve it? If the bill includes a tax break for the workers and a tax hike for the rich that'll really screw 'em NOT
And then the Iraq "quagmire" I mean Bush really pulled a fast one didn't he? The Dems are damned if they do and damned if they don't, and if it doesn't work well they were in control, so it would appear to their fault. All is fair, right and playing politics with Americans lives works so well with the public these days, it's all so complicated the little guy will never figure it out, will he?
Keep up the good work though it helps us more every day, the rightwing treating running the country as a competetive gottcha' game is why we control congress and to a small degree the senate today.

[nitpicker]

Shorter Dan Riehl: "Bush allowed a failed policy to continue for months, until he could use his new policy announcement to hurt Democrats politically. Isn't that great?"

Thank God we've such a moral, resolute president.

Ass.

[Phoenix]

Stevie,

Great shot! ohmygod....

"And now for the Spleenadiction, St.Harry will whine for you."

aaagggccckkkkkaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrgh.

[ibfamous]

when was the last time you read the Contract on America? By passing one promised law the democrats have already done more than the republicans did did over a twelve year period. The GOP is good at politics, but not so good at governing. See ya in "08...

[Republicans are Riehlly Weak]

I'm a little slow, but I think I have finally figured it out. Riehl World View is a Colbert-like parody of a real right-wing blog! Both the parodies and the real right-wing sites are so over the top that it is hard to tell. But who could really believe that Bush just handed the Democrats any sort of quagmire (unless after controlling a single branch of the government for one whole week absolutely everything under the sun is suddenly the Democrats' fault)?

I know that the Wapo and ABC hate America, but 61% of Americans oppose escalation. A mere 36% support the plan. 53% support the Democrats cutting funding. (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/11/AR2007011100282.html)

Ha ha. Sounds like the Democrats are out of touch with the mainstream and are in serious trouble.

This IS really sweet satire, Dan. So, I have decided to add this blog to my daily list because now that I get the joke, it's freakin' hilarious!

[Jon G]

It's Bush that's in the tight spot. He's lost the support of the American Public and is now grasping at straws so his legacy isn't the first president to start and then lose a war. There's no post speech bump in the polls for his here. It's nothing but bad news for the administration.

Fully 70 percent of Americans oppose sending more troops, and a like number don't think such an increase would help stabilize the situation there.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/nation/4463817.html

[jim]

Honestly, this really does seem a post based on what you want to believe, and not what's actually happen.

I.e.: it's clear Bush is stuck in a quagmire, and has us stuck in a quagmire, in Iraq. So, a silver lining to this horribly dark cloud would be, that at Bush has maneuvered the Democrats are stuck in one too...

Unfortunately, there is absolutely no way that Democratic Congressmen fulfilling on their promises, and accomplishing in 100 hours what a Republican congress has failed to achieve in 12 years, can look bad for the Democratic Congress.

And also, the stance the Democratic Congress is taking towards President Bush, is also boding well for them...because President Bush is taking a stance that is not only increasingly unpopular, it is also more and more publicly contradicted by military experts and generals.

[Carl Gordon]

I cant beleeve they want to give it all away to the lazy loosers and dumies. All there trying to do is make the president look bad, and that will never hapen. Bush is one of the most inteligence presidents we ever have, so flake off! The war is going grate, and its going to get beter now that we have more boots on the ground. Get behind the war, get behind the president, and get be hind are country before the terorests win.

[Peter in New York]

Wow. Talk about trying to find a silver lining in a dark cloud. So Bush's disastrous policy speech really gave it to the Dems? He should keep on "giving".

Let me look at the rest of the cloud: Bush is hugely unpopular, his policies are hugely unpopular, the war is a disaster and only getting worse, and if Republicans think reminding Americans of ALL these realities somehow hurts the Dems, well KEEP ON DOING IT. We need to finish the job in 2008 and relegate Republicans to a long-term minority status, which they so richly deserve after following this President over the cliff.

Yeah, Bush really hurt the Dems. Just laughable. Trust me, everyone who'se minimum wage was raised will know who did it. It won't get lost in the noise.