The Politico reports that the Democrats have chosen defeat as a viable strategy in Iraq:
Top House Democrats, working in concert with anti-war groups, have decided against using congressional power to force a quick end to U.S. involvement in Iraq, and instead will pursue a slow-bleed strategy designed to gradually limit the administration's options.
Led by Rep. John P. Murtha, D-Pa., and supported by several well-funded anti-war groups, the coalition's goal is to limit or sharply reduce the number of U.S. troops available for the Iraq conflict, rather than to openly cut off funding for the war itself.
The legislative strategy will be supplemented by a multimillion-dollar TV ad campaign designed to pressure vulnerable GOP incumbents into breaking with President Bush and forcing the administration to admit that the war is politically unsustainable.
As described by participants, the goal is crafted to circumvent the biggest political vulnerability of the anti-war movement -- the accusation that it is willing to abandon troops in the field.
The Democrats, despite evidence that reinforcements are working, are choosing to undermine the war effort without taking responsibility for that action, and then will try to benefit politically from the defeat. How brave of them. Political courage seems to be a lost art. Also, note where Rep. Herseth stands on the issue. More thoughts from SD War College, who says, if true, the plan "borders on the sinister."
UPDATE: More from Captain Ed. Also, more evidence here and here that the surge is working thus far. Our enemies are in retreat now that the gloves have come off. The Mahdis didn't head to another part of Iraq to "regroup," but instead they fled to Iran -- a telling sign, it seems, that they have no safe refuge in Iraq. With al-Sadr and the Mahdis running from Baghdad, the American reinforcements appear to be running into little to no resistance. It also seems to be gaining favor and acceptance by the residents of Sadr City. With the militants gone, the residents of Iraq will enjoy the peace -- and make it harder for Sadr and his ilk to return.
UPDATE: The Iraqi government confirms that al-Sadr has fled the country.
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