War At Ten Paces

The Democrats wanted a political war over the real one and the Republicans have obliged.

House Republicans, sensing an opportunity for political advantage, maneuvered for a quick vote and swift rejection Friday of a Democratic lawmaker's call for an immediate troop withdrawal from Iraq.

"We want to make sure that we support our troops that are fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan," said Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill. "We will not retreat."

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi had no immediate reaction to the planned vote.

I can only imagine Pelosi's reaction just at the moment. "Wait, we're supposed to vote on things? Posturing in front of cameras, making accusations, and talking a good game to our Leftist base isn't enough?"

Brilliant.

I must cop to a little schadenfreude here. I enjoy watching two political parties grow a pair and go at each other full force. It's healthy. Let the real ideas be debated and voted on rather than allowing politicians to hide their true positions behind media smokescreens. This is the kind of thing the Republic deserves from those in Congress.

If this blows up in the Democrats' face, well, they so asked for it.

Comments

[Donald]

I hope this does lead to a real debate.

Though I think smearing John Murtha is not wise. The man is a hawk, 30 year vet marine and served in Korea and Vietnam. Cheney himself has paid his respects to John Murtha. He is a power within the party and the house and he is a beloved figure in western Pennsylvania. I am from eastern PA and he is much respected here also.

Pissing off him too much could only hurt Republican Santorum. Casey strong in the northeast, Rendell a near god like in the southeast and pissing off Murtha's moderate to conservative base in the south west, plus the liberals that go along with Murtha because he is a democrat. Not good for little Ricky.

But I digress - we need a real (or as real as DC will allow) debate on the future not only of this action in Iraq but America's place in the world as the only true super power and how to fight the terrorism. I think the closest we had recently was the Nuclear weapons (freeze) debate of the late 70's and early 80's before the fall of the Soviet bloc.

Again, love the site and enjoy your humor and thoughtful comments.

[Don]

I'm hoping that the Republicans keep on the offensive this time. Too often they just let the Democrats get away with this stuff.