Exercise In Futility

Since taking the majority, they have forced 40 votes on bills limiting President Bush’s war policy.

Not a single one has passed both chambers, even though both are run by Democrats.

Indeed, the only war legislation passed during this Congress has been to give the president exactly what he wants, and exactly what he has had for the past five years: more money, with no limitations.

Disapproval of the Democratic majority in Congress has risen steadily, albeit with no corresponding increase in enthusiasm for Republicans.

Even more notably, public opinion about the war — while still dominated by opposition to a military adventure most people think was a mistake — has risen modestly in recent weeks, according to several nonpartisan polls.

Considering that Congress hovers near single digits in approval, going zero for 40 shows that all their failed efforts aren't winning over anyone. Many of the efforts included larding up appropriations bills with pork to attempt to get sufficient numbers to pass and yet they still fell short. Pelosi and Reid both have shown that they are completely incapable of basic math - they continue to push agendas that they simply do not have the numbers to achieve, and are alienating members of their party who are in vulnerable districts (Democrats running in GOP leaning districts).

It shows just how ineffectual the Democrats in Congress have been, despite having a majority against a lame duck Administration. It also shows that the GOP in Congress is more effective as the minority than they were when they had the majority.

That's a dynamic that will certainly make for an interesting 2008 election season.