There is always hope amongst us political geeks that when it comes to a potentially controversial Congressional hearing, something will occur that is obviously worth writing about: Not so much this time around.

Positions on both sides, now ripened over years were postured. Years old rationales and complaints are repeated on both sides. It’s become so repetitively familiar most Americans could probably argue either position just for the fun of being contrary.

What is, once again, striking is the courage of conviction or lack thereof when it comes to the issue of Iraq.

Our Democratic Congressional delegation has had it in their power for the past 15 months to end the war immediately. Or, at the very least, to reduce funding to the point where a severe reduction in troop levels would be mandated by the funding levels. Keep in mind, that a majority of the funding for Iraq has come in the form of supplemental funding requests from the White House outside of the normal budget process requiring specific approval. 

Matching up two days of rhetoric demanding all manner of timelines, troop reductions, plans to reduce troop levels, plans to develop plans, Iraqi accountability, Iraqi reconciliation, political reform, diplomatic surges and a number of other demands that escape short term memory; questions invariably present themselves.

If you are against the war, if you have it in your power to end the war, if you do not, why? Does Congress (Democratic members specifically) lack the courage of their oft stated convictions and if so why?

Do they fear a transition of public perception that moves responsibility from the White House to Congress?

Do they, in fact, know but will not admit, that the consequences of early withdrawal could be catastrophic, and that the responsibility for the potential of impending horror would be theirs?

Do they need to keep the White House on the hot seat for political reasons? Is it critical to a Democratic presidential victory to maintain an anti war position?

Do they, in fact, know full well that the surge is working and simply will not alter their position to recognize it, again for political reasons?

Do they fear their own left wing?

Do they fear yet another defeat by The President who has weathered 60 bills, resolutions, committee hearings, and parliamentary moves aimed at supposedly ending the war. Congress has done everything they could do short of what they have to do the end the war.

Rhetorical questions? Some of the questions apply?  They all apply?  They apply with an explanation, they apply with an excuse? Maybe! The real reason is the American People. They provide the answer to the current Democratic dilemma and apparent lack of conviction, rhetoric aside.

 Americans don’t like the war; they know horrific mistakes were made, they mourn the lives lost, wish, in hindsight, we hadn’t done it. However, we also know that it is what it is. Americans know that the current situation is complex. Americans may or may not process this in great intellectually depth but we do process it instinctually which has always been one of our great strengths as a people.  Despite a clearly biased media there was just enough counterpoint to ignite instinct and some degree of common sense.  

The polls tell the story in this case. The polls have shown a significant disconnect on a fairly consistent basis. While 70% of Americans may say that they are against the war a much smaller number are willing to get out now, no matter what. In some polls the number willing to get out now is half the percentage of those that said they opposed the war.

The boomer generation remembers well Vietnam. That generation has reflected on it for four decades, dealt with a variety of guilt’s, read the histories, accepted the confessions, watched the movies, saw the vets, visited the memorial, heard the commentaries. Self defeat did not work so well back then and they fear it may not work well now. At least that fear is genuine unlike so many of the fears present in Congress.

The American people may come, occasionally, late to the party but in the end they usually get it right. They have it right this time.

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