Editorial: Democratic nomination could be decided today

One painfully long day after Senator Harry Reid and Speaker Nancy Pelosi suddenly bowed to the President's wishes on Iraq, faithfully promising not to back a timetable for U.S. troop withdrawal, many of the second-tier Democratic candidates quickly drew a line in the sand.  Chris Dodd announced his intention to vote against the Iraq funding bill, as did Dennis Kucinich.  Joe Biden pretty much put a poison pill in his presidential aspirations by promising to support the President's plan.  As far as Clinton and Obama were concerned, their offices refused to comment yesterday.

Today's likely vote on the Iraq funding bill could mark a pivotal turning point in the campaign if either Clinton or Obama (or both) support the troop funding legislation.  John Edwards is looking for every opportunity possible to catapult himself to the top of the pack.  He currently leads if Iowa.  But if Clinton and Obama back the bill, Edwards' campaign is expected to receive a flood of donations, which could help the former North Carolina Senator's ground game in states that vote after Iowa.  Also, disgruntled Democrats could turn to Bill Richardson, who is perceived as a Yoda-like figure on policy, experience and leadership.

Though, one thing is definitely for sure: Obama and Clinton will have destroyed their presidential hopes if they vote for this bill.

As someone that has been closely involved in the netroots for the last three years, I can say with certainty that this has been the worst 48 hours for the Democratic Party since immediately following John Kerry's concession speech.  I have received email after email from progressives that are irate with Congress, and some even threatening never to visit this blog again unless I use any little influence I have to give our out-of-touch politicians in Washington some red meat that articulates how angry we all are.

This is the real deal here.  Congress would be making a huge mistake to allow this bill to even come to a vote.  If they do, you will see calls for Reid and Pelosi to be overthrown.  You will see the Democrats' chances of keeping their majorities in 2008 slowly begin to fade.  And if Clinton or Obama do not cast a vote against the non-timetable funding bill, they will have turned the '08 political campaign on its head.

Comments

[crshedd]

in your post, you stated "...you will see calls for Reid and Pelosi to be overthrown."

my feeling is that they should be voted out of their leadership positions because they 'negotiated' this nonstrosity.

i was so angry with the gop over the illegal war, that for the first time in my life (voting since 1972) i voted a straight party ticket. now the democrats are making me sorry for my vote.

[RJ]

Todd, is there any truth to the reports that Speaker Pelosi didn't vote for this bill due to her inability to attach an "minimum wage raise exemption for American Somoa"? I would have hoped her "no" vote was for not agreeing with the lack of a timetable. Is there any information you have that can shed a light on this? Again, please don't take what I've written as the truth -- just trying to find the facts. Thanks.

[George]

Todd, I am with you here. And if Obama supports this legislation I'm thru with him and I'll move to Richardson's camp. This is a major deal. Obama can't vote for the war now and then tell me how smart he was 5 years ago when he didnt actually have to vote.

[Chief Editor: Todd]

RJ, no....her no vote was not because of the Samoa provision you are talking about. She voted no on the Iraqi funding bill for two reasons:
1) So that anti-war Democrats don't try to overthrow her. (And I am serious about that. I have heard mumblings about it...but would prefer to get official sources before posting it on this site)
2) So she can have an answer when her constituents yell at her over the Memorial Day holiday.

George....I am with you on what you wrote. Obama will be making a big mistake if he supports it. On Wednesday night I wrote an email to a senior member of the Obama Campaign that I know. I warned him that Obama's campaign will be "over" if he supports the bill, or even if he votes for cloture.

[Chief Editor: Todd]

Finally got a response from the Obama Campaign, informing me that Obama will continue to oppose Iraq war funding bills without a timetable. "Barack has opposed the Iraq war since before it began, and has a plan to bring it to a responsible end."

[granny]

nomination could be decided today:

as of today, Gore/Richardson

[George]

Granny, where can i sign up for that ticket! What i wouldnt do to have those 2 running the country.

[pelican1]

Gore - anybody.

Gore-Obama would be unstoppable.

(Both Clinton and Obama voted againts the Bill. They aren't suicidal)

[Chief Editor: Todd]

lol But I'd say Clinton's vote was more politically calculated. Obama has been against the war from the beginning. Yeah, a Gore-Obama ticket would have us drooling and the conservatives fuming.