Cong Dems lose momentum on Iraq
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/TheNote/story?id=3D156238
All of American politics 2007 (and, of course, most of 2008) will be =
determined by the fallout from Democratic efforts on Capitol Hill to =
force President Bush to change course in Iraq.
The implications of Democrats’ success or =97 under today’s =
conventional wisdom =97 failure to force the White House’s hand will =
carom far and wide.
The overall Democratic strategic imperative remains the same =97 use =
public opinion to pressure enough Republicans to go to the President =
and demand a change =97 knowing that Democratic votes and voices alone =
won’t do it.
This strategy has run into a number of problems, however, both =
political and substantive. Okay: mostly political.
Perhaps the Democrats, back in town this week and caucusing =
ferociously, will find a way to change the trajectory of the =
political debate, but they are losing fast.
To wit:
- Doing massive code breaking on just how much ground the Democrats =
have lost, warrior Bob Novak Notes in a 100-proof must-read that =
(even) Sens. Chuck Hagel (R-NE) and Norm Coleman (R-MN) are not =
inclined to support deauthorization of the war, illustrating the =
backward movement. LINK
- The White House is impervious to facts on the ground when it comes =
to changing course.
- Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is fearless, =
tactical, and loyal to the White House =97 meaning everything is =
filibusterable.
- Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) is, once again, Karl Rove’s best friend, =
in terms of creating divisions within the Democrat Party and giving =
full-blooded life to the White House’s “defund the troops” straw man. =
LINK
- Most Blue State Republicans up in 2008, typified by John Sununu (R- =
NH), just aren’t all that afraid of losing their seats over Iraq.
- Democrats in the House and Senate are not coordinating very well =
on message or legislative strategy, and are starting to point fingers =
in that classic party circular firing squad manner.
- Sen. Joe Lieberman (I/D-CT) =97 flexing in a(nother) Wall Street =
Journal op ed today =97 challenges Democrats to give the surge a chance =
to work through the summer, creating the patina of bipartisanship the =
Republicans need. LINK
- Speaker Pelosi has allowed herself to be Cheneyed. (Pronounced =
“chee-kneed,” not “chay-need.”) The conservative base is fully =
rallied, easing pressure on GOP officeholders.
- Chairman Levin saying he wants to “tie the President’s hands” and =
knowing that that is not the best soundbite, but also knowing he =
can’t unring the bell.
- The White House’s deft playing of the Petraeus card.