Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi proclaimed that “there was a new sheriff in town” when the Democrats took over both houses of congress. A few months ago an Iraq War funding bill was passed. They failed to cut spending on the war: the power of the purse. On Wednesday the House passed a domestic spending measure only after there was a vote to condemn the Moveon.org ad that used the term “General Betray Us.” The vote was pushed by the Republicans to score political points. Passing the domestic spending bill wasn’t the problem, but a vote to condemn dissent in this country is ludicrous. Again, the Democrats look gutless.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates is calling on Congress to pass a war-spending bill that will fund the war for the next year. The Democrats must oppose this bill. They don’t have the majority it takes to pass a bill that will override a veto, but they can vote against war funding bills like this. If Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid want to be the new sheriffs in town then this is the time to assert their power. If they don’t, they’re just deputy dogs who will hurt the Democrats chances for winning in 2008.
