The Democrats' defeatist irresolution

In Iraq, they are saying: "Tell the American people we need the U.S. Army here." But in Congress, the answer comes "No."

By signalling opposition to the renewed "surge" effort to win in Iraq, the Democrat-controlled House and their defeatist irresolution undercut our military from the commander-in-chief to the troops in the field. President Bush was the intended target, but the military men and women in Iraq, as well as the people of Iraq, are collateral damage. Absolutely no good came of Congress' act, which has no real effect and merely signals our weakening will to fight. However, much mischief will result as the Democrats in Congress undercut war efforts. Democrats already have withheld $4 billion in funds to re-equip forces in the latest budget, and Rep Murtha is finding other ways to hamstring our military via military appropriations.

Congressional meddling indicates an unwillingness to comprehend Constitutional responsibilities and boundaries of their branch of Government, but worse a perverse eagerness to put partisan considerations above the patriotic unity required for victory in foreign intervention. Whatever one's view on the President's strategy in Iraq, once he and his generals choose a course of action, the military should be given the tools and support to pursue it to victory; the only other option is a unified and purposeful decision to leave. But today, most Americans want to win in Iraq and are hopeful we will succeed.

We have seen this defeatist playbook before - the Congressional Democrats of the early 1970s used it to great effect to undermine policy in Vietnam, ultimately costing us South Vietnam to Communist North Vietnam. James Phillips says:

If the Democratic-controlled Congress does succeed in choking off the troop reinforcements and resources needed to implement the Bush Administration’s Iraq strategy, then it must assume responsibility for the resulting disaster.

The only thing that can defeat us is defeatism itself. As leaders choose defeatism over perseverence, the war in Iraq is being lost not in the streets of Baghdad but in the halls of Congress.

P.S. Other takes:

• Cal Thomas: "Indian Givers"
  
• Jed Babbin: Banish the ghosts of 1970
  
• Poll shows voters think Democrats are going too far in opposing Bush
  
• GOP surrenderists who joined the Democrats
  
• DadManly: Support the troops. Let them win.