Good Politics, Irrelevant Policy

New York Times:

A deeply divided House of Representatives voted Friday to bring most American combat troops home from Iraq next year, with Democrats employing their new Congressional majority to create the most forceful challenge yet to President Bush’s war policy.

The legislation aimed at accelerating an end to the war passed on a vote of 218 to 212, with all but two Republicans opposing. Even as the debate moves to the Senate, where a less restrictive plan is to be considered next week, Mr. Bush dismissed the action as “political theater” and promised to veto attempts to manage the war from Capitol Hill.

The Democratic leaders of Congress said they were acting on overriding American sentiment to change course in Iraq, and they vowed to keep pursuing legislative attempts to hold the Iraqi and American governments accountable for progress there.

Needless to say, this was much discussed in the blogs, yesterday. I'll make it simple: It continues to reframe the debate, and continues to reinforce that this is now a wholly (and unholy) Republican war; but it is not a solution. The war continues. It should be ended immediately. Our troops should come home as expeditiously as is safely possible.