Undercut (UPDATED)

Via Q and O, it appears that the Senate Republicans are a lilly-livered bunch when it comes to shaping the narrative.

Nov. 15 (Bloomberg) -- The Senate today called on President George W. Bush to explain his strategy for ending the war in Iraq and report every three months on progress until all U.S. troops stationed there are redeployed.

The measure, passed 79-19, is one of several attached to a major defense bill that reflect unease within the president's own party as polls show increasing public impatience with the conflict and Democrats step up criticism.

The measure calls on the administration to make 2006 a year of significant political and military transition in Iraq that will allow a phased reduction of U.S. forces.

Time and time again, the president, along with most military and strategic experts have said that if we broadcast our withdrawal from Iraq that the terrorists will simply lie in wait and pounce on Iraq after we leave. If an average citizen can understand this, why can't a US Senator?

Oh and get this.

[Senate Minority Leader Harry] Reid said Democrats ``forced the Republicans to admit that staying the course in Iraq is not an option.''

That's right. The Democrat Leader of the Senate is bragging about the fact that his party wants to dishonor the soldiers who gave life and limb by making their sacrifice a futile one! And he's bragging that his party punked the Republicans into doing the same!

Do I question their patriotism? No.

UPDATE: Hmm. It seems that the majority of the Senate weren't quite ready to go all the way in selling out the troops and peace-loving Iraqis, but only just barely.

WASHINGTON Nov 15, 2005 — The Republican-controlled Senate easily defeated a Democratic effort Tuesday to pressure President Bush to outline a timetable for a phased withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq. It then overwhelmingly endorsed a weaker statement calling on the administration to explain its Iraq policy. [SNIP]

On the question of a timetable for troop withdrawal, senators rejected the Democrats' proposal by 58-40.