I think the dems are terrified of a 2006 "October Surprise" by Bush and the Repubs. Murtha is only laying the groundwork so 6-9 months from now when the first US troops are probably redeployed to Kuwait or shipped home he and the dems can try to claim some credit for it. The truth is the Iraq army is steadedly growing, Joe Biden even begrudgingly admitted this today on Fox, and will be large enough some time next spring or summer so that the first US and coalition troops can start to go home.
Good point. What else can they campaign on as a "win" for themselves? Gorelicks Wall? The 9-11 commission? Their Clinton Admin "immigration" laws and records? Universal Health Care given 11 hospitals bankrupting in So. Cal under laws laid by Democrats? Their anti-obesity campaigns while always championing pork in every single bill?