Same old song and dance...

By Libby

For this we elected Democrats? Adding insult to injury, the Democratic party is not only trying to spin the Capitulation Bill as some kind of victory, they're also trying to fundraise on their fraudulent fancy dancing around the will of the people.

Party leaders jury-rigged the votes yesterday to give all Democrats something to brag about ...Democrats saw brilliance in the legerdemain. And with such contortions came more appreciation for the efforts Pelosi was making to fund the war in a fashion most palatable to angry Democrats. ‘It was the responsible thing to do, and she’s a responsible speaker,’ said Rep. Anna G. Eshoo (D-Calif.).”

Thanks to some unprecedented parliamentary trickery, Pelosi and the Dems were able to appear to vote against the war, but in reality they simply stepped aside and effectively gave the Republicans the power pass it. They didn't try to end the occupation at all. They in fact, just bought it with this vote.

Theoretically, they only took it on trial, until the now fabled month of September. And maybe we'll get that mid-July report, but I'm not holding my breath. It's not like this administration is big on complying with Congressional deadlines. That aside, the big question is, what are they going to do in September? Hold a bunch of more hearings and wring their hands over how they just can't do anything, again?

The Democrats' mandate is clear but their perfomance has been muddied by bad thinking. This betrayal of our trust, coming hot on the heels of the secret trade deal, is going to burn them in 08. Next time around being the not-Republicans is not going to be enough. Especially not if they insist on co-opting the worst attributes of the last Congress.

The vote in 06 was against the war and government secrecy and corruption. The Democrats would do well to remember both, because 18 months from now, we won't have forgotten.