Iraq And The Left

Democrats want to bring an end to the war in Iraq, that's no secret. They're trying to, they're talking about it, they're exploring their options, which is more than the Republicans ever did in the majority.

Many Democrats have come home to realility, that their majority doesn't give them the automatic power to bring a quick end to the war...even though that's what the people and especially many in the party, want.

Take the "Out Of Iraq" caucus...made up of 73 Democrats who are looking to end the war in any way possible, including cutting funding. Most of them come from the most liberal of districts where the Iraq war has never been popular, like Lynn Woosley of Marin County, California, Jose Serrano of the South Bronx, New York, and Jim McDermott of Seattle, Washington. Some of the members however aren't the most liberal people. Case in point, Jim Oberstar of Minnesota and Nick Rahall of West Virginia, both socially conservative and overall quite moderate.

The "Out of Iraq" caucus is what is driving to Democrats' push to bring a quick end to the war. On the other side of the party, are the more hawkish Democrats looking to ease out of Iraq, or give the President's plan a final chance to work. These includes many Southern Democrats like Jim Marshall of Georgia and Gene Taylor of Mississippi.

Uniting the party behind a single goal is a difficult thing to do. Democrats do not have the votes to go the way of the "Out of Iraq" caucus, mainly because of their one-seat majority in the Senate. Without Lieberman in the Senate, Democrats need to have a plan that will attract at least one Republican for it pass, and at least 10 for it to avoid a filibuster. If they can't until at least 95% of thier own party, they won't be able to win over enough support from the other side of the eisle.

Then there's the President's veto. It is unlikely any plan by the Out of Iraq caucus will win enough support in the House or Senate to override a Bush veto.

The Left, much like the right in the Republican Party, should have a voice in Congress, but it is nearly impossible for the far left to see their ideas on Iraq come to fruition. If the right couldn't ban gay marriage, abortion, or force prayer in public schools, the left won't be able to put the brakes on this war.

At least the Democrats are governing from reality.