Posted on 12/21/2007 8:18:53 AM PST by vietvet67
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, despite their pledges to continue pushing to end the war in Iraq, face growing pressure from their rank-and-file Democrats to focus more attention on domestic, pocketbook issues in the upcoming election year.
Junior Democrats describe an Iraq fatigue setting in among some members after dozens of successful withdrawal votes failed to drive a wedge between Republicans and President Bush on the war strategy.
The restless Democrats acknowledge the war issue remains critically important for the country, but they would like to see their leaders tone down the rhetoric and avoid showdowns with Bush over the war, wherever possible.
Still, heading into 2008, Democrats have not articulated as clear a game plan on how to handle the political debate on the war as they had heading into 2007.
"My hope would be we start looking at real solutions instead of the dichotomy of cut funding versus stay forever," said Rep. Brian Baird (D-Wash.), who had a change of heart this fall after visiting Iraq and realizing the military surge was working.
"The entire policy has been dictated by the 'Out of Iraq Caucus' ... What are we going to do, have another 40 withdrawal votes?"
Pelosi told reporters Wednesday that her top priority is still ending the war, although she allowed her own disappointment in being unable to force the president to change his Iraq policy.
But the California Democrat also said that the economy and health care are rising concerns among voters and that she wanted to dramatically increase federal funding for scientific research.
Pressed on her legislative plans for 2008, though, Pelosi reiterated that ending the war is her ultimate goal, promising more oversight hearings on Iraq and the broader Middle East.
(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...
now that the war is no longer a viable avenue of attack a new one is needed. i would like to suggest tax increases as the new issue to promote. raising taxes should garner lots of support.
All the surrender monkeys are going to be very, very upset.
Pelosi told reporters Wednesday that her top priority is still ending the war, although she allowed her own disappointment in being unable to force the president to change his Iraq policy.
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All Pelosi really wanted was force the President to lose the war.
Pelosi told reporters Wednesday that her top priority is still ending the war, although she allowed her own disappointment in being unable to force the president to change his Iraq policy.
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All Pelosi really wanted was force the President to lose the war.
I guess it took their collective noses to be bloodied 40 times before some sense creept in.
Coinkidink? I think not.
Force the Dems into stating their positions again and again and again. Hmmmm, I wonder.
TRANSLATION
We couldn't F@ck up the war and give Bush the blame so we'll try to F@ck up the economy instead..
I wonder... if the GOP wins the White House next year, who will the Lefties be blaming for all the world’s ills?
The surrender monkeys are surrrendering...
Zsa Zsa Huffington and her unpaid bloggers are very upset.
I think she’s going to hold her breath until we withdraw from Iraq.
“Iraq fatigue” defined:
We are tired, tired, tired of seeing positive news coming out of Iraq.
Sad end to anti-war effort ( well...its an editorial from the Berkshires...just gives me tears )
***************the highlight sentence*********************
While the persistent effort of American troops has contributed to a decline in violence, the death toll has dropped primarily because there are fewer Iraqis left to kill.
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