Analysis: Iraq vote signals new dynamic

[Kadie]

Analysis: Iraq vote signals new dynamic
By JULIE HIRSCHFELD DAVIS, Associated Press Writer
21 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - The House's resounding vote on a nonbinding resolution rejecting a 21,500-troop buildup in Iraq places Congress officially in step with growing public sentiment against the war. It also puts President Bush on the defensive going into a far more consequential confrontation over paying for the plan.

snip...
"The Democrats are clearly determined to erode (Bush's) credibility — even the legitimacy of decision-making," said Charles Jones, a Brookings Institution expert on Congress and the presidency.

"There has been a significant erosion in the postelection-announced comity and now we see that almost anything he does in his capacity as commander in chief is being questioned," Jones said.

Democrats tailored the debate as a direct challenge to Bush. Their measure was painstakingly worded to reflect what national surveys show is intensifying public weariness with a war that has killed more than 3,100 U.S. troops and broad opposition to sending more.

snip...
Bush's team "did work hard to try to suppress the Republican vote here," said Rep. Fred Upton (news, bio, voting record), R-Mich., one of 17 House members of his party to break with the president on the resolution. "I told them, 'I'm not gettable.'"

more...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070217/ap_on_go_co/iraq_bush_congress_2

[tblue]

1. *'s team "did work hard to try to suppress the Republican vote"

I'm sure they did. They strongarm, threaten, blackmail, bribe, seduce, ANYTHING to keep that war/gravy train going.

[MasonJar]

2. Good for Rep. Upton. That is where the 30 to 60 went. I hope it cost

the WH dearly to cut the number down. Go, Dems!