"uh guys, what if it PASSES?"
Turn on C-span. The Democrats are saying IN MASS that they will support the war. They are begging the republicans not to hold a vote... it's pretty funny.
By forcing the issue to a vote, Republicans placed many Democrats in a politically unappealing position — whether to side with Murtha and expose themselves to attacks from the White House and congressional Republicans, or whether to oppose him and risk angering the voters that polls show want an end to the conflict.
This obviously makes no sense. If most Americans really do favor an immediate pollout, then why would Democrats fear "exposing themselves to attacks from the White House"? And why would the Republicans gain politically from taking a position thta "angers the voters"?