Like I've said before, incompetence has consequences. The Administration ran Iraq onto jagged rocks, and now must live with the fact that many Republicans are going to jump ship and save their own skins rather than go down with it.
Politicians do what's politically viable, or they become ex-politicians. That's the nature of the beast. The voters were willing to give President Bush a lot of leeway to get the job done, but they're not seeing the results they want. The apparent lack of results and progress makes it increasingly difficult for Republicans to support the war.
Blame the media, blame democracy, blame whatever you like. Just don't be surprised when this trend continues.
This is really very very soft commentary. "Expressing skepticism" is the same as having doubts but giving the President the benefit of that doubt. The GOP doubters should insist on that language, which covers themselves, but the Democrats can never embrace it of their base will go crazy.
Non binding resolutions are strictly and only about politics so the GOP should craft its input to cause Democrats trouble with their own base.
They're going to be ex-politicians no matter what. You think these Republicans are going to win over the kook anti-war voters? They're going to lose support from conservatives AND they won't get votes from liberals/independents.
Better to fight and stand on principle, if you're going to go down...