Major Update At The End

This article is the top read at Real Clear Politics, and for good reason. The article is from someone who advised Bill Clinton when the Rep Congress tried to strong-arm him on the budget. That turned out to be a political disaster for the Reps. The author notes something about the theory of action and the reality:

But the GOP had misread the polls. Theoretical reductions in federal spending were one thing — of course the public supported that — but real cuts in spending on Medicare, education, and the environment were quite another.

Does the American people want to lose to al Qaeda now that the we have come this far and the new Surge Strategy is starting to bear fruit? Hell no they don’t. They wanted a new direction towards success when they voted for the Dems. Senator Surrender’s (Reid) new tone (we must find a successful end in Iraq) is a clear indication the Dems see the polls on Reid’s comments and realize they cannot be for failure. And that is the essence of the debate and it is unavoidable and no amount of PR lipstick is going to pretty up this pig. Dems have laid everything on the line for one idea – hopelessness. There policy proposal is “we failed and we give it a year of more death and mayhem before we start getting serious”.

Their stance is political suicide – and I for one am glad they finally went all-in and will be brushed from the political table once and for all. I grew up as a Democrat and had a Democrat Grandfather in Congress and in many administrations. But his party is not what is out there now. The party has degenerated to the liberal malcontents which now make up 2/3rds of ‘the base’. Moderates were elected last year to gain majorities, but moderates are, by and large, not being listened to by the liberal leadership. The Dems are going to pay a severe price since the game of chicken is now on and there is no backing out anymore. One side will stand. Will it be the Dems and their lose at any cost mantra? Or will it be the President and his optimism in Americans to pull this thing out. As long as Bush is in the White House there is not contest and Dems are looking like stubborn idealogues:

Today, history is repeating itself — with the parties reversed. This time a Republican president is offering talks to recalcitrant Democrats. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi can justify going to Syria to talk with President Bashar Assad; however, she cannot justify rebuffing an overture to talk to President Bush, as she and Senate majority leader Harry Reid appeared to do last week before hurriedly (and wisely) changing course.

Nancy and Harry, Peace in this world runs through America – not Damascus. We all know you do not have the votes for a veto override and we all know you have funded the troops, so fund the troops without any strings. You can bring up your complaints in a separate Bill at any time – you supposedly lead the legislature.

Major Update: How long can Congressional Dems IGNORE what is happening in Iraq – and I mean to the point where they are avoiding being briefed on the situation:

What’s curious is that congressional Democrats don’t seem much interested in what’s actually happening in Iraq. The commander in Iraq, Gen. David Petraeus, returns to Washington this week, but last week Pelosi’s office said “scheduling conflicts” prevented him from briefing House members. Two days later, the members-only meeting was scheduled, but the episode brings to mind the fact that Pelosi and other top House Democrats skipped a Pentagon videoconference with Petraeus on March 8.

In line with the above article, how is it Pelosi can find time to meet with Pres Bashir of Syria and NOT find time to learn what is happening in Iraq? It has been over a month and coming up on two months since they have accepted briefings. How is it Dems can claim the support our troops but cannot be bothered with actually finding out how they are doing? How is it gthe media can hide the fact the Dems are like ostriches with their heads in the sand AVOIDING any news on Iraq? This is criminal. These are not leaders – they are out right cowards! Take the briefings Dems. Face reality. And please stop acting like children who don’t want to eat their vegetables. Our military cannot avoid the reality in Iraq and neither should you.

Update: Lorie Byrd and Kim Priestap note that only one Democrat attended an April 9th briefing on Iraq. How is it again these people “support” the troops when they cannot even take the time to get briefed??? Criminal.