This might be kind of amusing to us, but it is really bad from a "big picture" point of view. It really would be better if there was some kind of unity on national security issues. Yes, Gephardt is thinking about his future career... but I also think he was trying to do what he thought was best for his country.
Actually, I am not really amused. The only good that will come from this is that the far left of the democrats will cook their own goose on this.
In the meantime, it makes things more difficult on presenting a united front, as you have pointed out.