WORST OF BOTH WORLDS:

Democrats remain stalled on Iraq debate (Jim VandeHei and John F. Harris, Nov 13, 2007, Politico)

As the congressional session lurches toward a close, Democrats are confronting some demoralizing arithmetic on Iraq.

The numbers tell a story of political and substantive paralysis more starkly than most members are willing to acknowledge, perhaps even to themselves.

Since taking the majority, they have forced 40 votes on bills limiting President Bush’s war policy.

Only one of those has passed both chambers, even though both are run by Democrats. That one was vetoed by Bush.

Indeed, the only war legislation enacted during this Congress has been to give the president exactly what he wants, and exactly what he has had for the past five years: more money, with no limitations.

Which is made worse by the arithmetic on the ground in Iraq. It would be one thing to be rhetorically anti-war and substantively pro-war if we were losing, but they're failing to get any credit for a victory they're accidentally aiding.

Posted by Orrin Judd at November 18, 2007 7:29 PM