Pat Dollard | Young Americans

The fact that the Democratic leadership was not only wrong about the surge, but guilty of rank treason and responsible for prolonging the war and helping the enemy kill Americans should be right at the center of McCain’s campaign. And if he can’t get into that kind of mud, then everyone else on the right side with a big megaphone needs to do it for him - and they need to name names.

WASHINGTON - In an about-face, Senate Republicans on Tuesday agreed with Democrats to advance an anti-war bill because they said the debate would give them time to hail progress in Iraq.

The change of heart came after months of blocking similar measures. But unlike most of last year, security conditions in Iraq have improved, and Republicans say they now feel they have the upper hand on the debate.

“We welcome a discussion about Iraq,” Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell declared.

The measure, by Democratic Sens. Russ Feingold of Wisconsin and Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada, would cut off money for combat after 120 days. It had been expected to fall short of the 60 votes needed to overcome a procedural hurdle and move ahead.

But after Republicans agreed in a private meeting that the debate could help make their case, the Senate voted 70-24 to begin debating it in earnest.

Aides said a final vote could come later this week, but may be pushed into next week.

The White House said the president would veto such a measure.

“This legislation would substitute the political judgment of legislators for the considered professional military judgment of our military commanders,” the administration said in a statement.

Reid said “a civil war rages” in Iraq.

John McCain was not expected to return to Washington for the debate. But he said he opposes the bill.

“If ever there was a case for precipitous withdrawal from Iraq—and I believe there never was—now is the last time anyone should consider such a step,” he said in a statement.

(AP)