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"Odd Couple" or Ineffective Couple?

By andgarden, Section Diaries
Posted on Sun Sep 02, 2007 at 02:59:18 PM EST
Tags: Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Andrew Kohut, Iraq (all tags)
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[editor's note, by andgarden] Crossposted from Daily Kos

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Today Reuters brings us a standard issue article about the working relationship between the Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid. There are interesting tidbits here and there about their mutual frustration with one another. The issues, such as Pelosi's failed attempt to install John Murtha as House Majority Leader and Reid's "the war is lost" musing, have been well covered elsewhere.

At the end, however, there is an important acknowledgment of the single most important factor keeping the approval ratings of Congress low: Iraq.

A poll by the Pew Research Center has since heartened the Democrats, finding that half those questioned remain happy the party took over.

The survey found Americans less than thrilled with Pelosi or Reid, however. Only 35 percent approved of Pelosi's job performance, while 37 percent disapproved. Just 21 percent approved of Reid while 33 percent disapproved.

"The biggest thing is the public's frustration with Iraq," said pollster Andrew Kohut. "People expected them to achieve things, they expected them to achieve a way out of Iraq."

more

Far be it for me to latch on to a pundit/pollster I've never heard of, but I think Kohut is right on the money here. The question once again is: what are Democrats to do? The usual arguments about Democrats being unable to do anything about getting out of Iraq continue to ring hollow for me. It seems perfectly obvious that Democrats could end the war, and defunding by date certain is the answer.

I won't bore you once again by elaborating on that subject--take a look at my previous diaries if you want to know. My point remains this: Democrats cannot reserve Iraq just to run on it in 2008. They must try to end the war now, and make a serious effort of it, or risk demoralizing all of those people who fought to hard for a Democratic Congress in 2006.

< still blackmailing homos | Can The Iraq Occupation Be Ended Before The 2008 Elections? >

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    "Odd Couple" or Ineffective Couple? | 3 comments (3 topical)

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    Sticking with the carrot, for now. (5.00 / 1) (#1)
    by andgarden on Sun Sep 02, 2007 at 03:00:20 PM EST


    The carrot (5.00 / 1) (#2)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Sep 03, 2007 at 01:35:35 PM EST


    Parent
    Next step: Mirepoix (none / 0) (#3)
    by andgarden on Mon Sep 03, 2007 at 04:02:49 PM EST


    Parent
    "Odd Couple" or Ineffective Couple? | 3 comments (3 topical)

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