New WaPo/ABC Poll: Americans Want Dems To Lead Us Out Of Iraq!

The new Washington Post-ABC poll says it all:

Most Americans see President Bush as intransigent on Iraq and prefer that the Democratic-controlled Congress make decisions about a possible withdrawal of U.S. forces, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.

As the president and Congress spar over war policy, both receive negative marks from the public for their handling of the situation in Iraq. But by a large margin, Americans trust Democrats rather than the president to find a solution to a conflict that remains enormously unpopular. And more than six in 10 in the new poll said Congress should have the final say on when to bring the troops home.

The president has steadfastly asserted his power as commander in chief to make decisions about the war, but his posture is now viewed by majorities of Democrats, independents and even Republicans as too inflexible. Asked whether Bush is willing enough to change policies on Iraq, nearly eight in 10 Americans said no.

There need be no other talking point. Most Americans want the Democrats to get us out of Iraq. They get it. Bush has failed. He's enormously unpopular. Leadership is wanted.

Senator Harry Reid has vowed to keep up the pressure. He now has justification to turn it up higher.

Bush is again fear-mongering about Al Qaeda in Iraq. It doesn't work anymore, but he has no other strategery. His military command is planning to keep going, right through the end of Bush's term in office. As the New York Times reports:

While Washington is mired in political debate over the future of Iraq, the American command here has prepared a detailed plan that foresees a significant American role for the next two years.

The classified plan, which represents the coordinated strategy of the top American commander and the American ambassador, calls for restoring security in local areas, including Baghdad, by the summer of 2008. “Sustainable security” is to be established on a nationwide basis by the summer of 2009, according to American officials familiar with the document.

The detailed document, known as the Joint Campaign Plan, is an elaboration of the new strategy President Bush signaled in January when he decided to send five additional American combat brigades and other units to Iraq.

Elaboration. Escalation. Just don't have any expectations.

It's time to rescind the original authorization to use military force. It's time to set a firm, final, end date. It's time to declare there will be no more funds for anything other than safe, expeditious withdrawal. It's time for the Democrats to tell Bush that his failures will no longer be tolerated. The American people want leaders to end this war. They have given up on Bush. They want the Democrats to lead. It's time.