1. VOL. 1 NO. 90
POLITICO thursday, september 27, 2007 $3.50
power & politics
Iraq Debate Bumped to March
The By John Bresnahan debate, presidential speeches, high-profile
votes in both the House and Senate, contro-
As one top Senate Republican aide put
it, “March is the new September,” refer-
Politics of Remember that tipping point in the
Iraq debate that was going to happen in
September? It’s been postponed to March
versial ads, anti-war marches and growing
casualty lists, little has changed in the war
debate – and it’s unlikely to for the next six
ring to the heavily scrutinized Capitol Hill
appearance of Army Gen. David Petraeus
earlier this month to report on the progress
Protest
– if ever. months, barring major unforeseen develop-
Despite nine months of congressional ments. See iraq on Page 24
By Jim VandeHei
and John F. Harris
Moderates
T Missing
he vast majority of Democrats
in Congress are powerfully clear
about what they think about the war
in Iraq. It is the greatest strategic
blunder of a generation. It is a lost cause.
Above all, it is immoral — with more men
and women dying each day for a war that
Muscle
many Democrats concluded years ago was a By Patrick O’Connor
terrible mistake. and Ryan Grim
But clarity gives way to muddle when you
pose a simple question to Democrats: After Moderates had hoped to be in the thick of
eight months in power on Capitol Hill, why the debate over the war in Iraq this fall. But
have you not done more to end the war? once again, they are pleading for scraps.
Most answers come down to some ver- Centrists in both parties have been clam-
sion of “There’s nothing we can do.” oring all year for a measure that reflects their
“If you don’t have the votes, you don’t unease with the war but falls short of setting a
have the votes,” Rep. Henry A. Waxman (D- firm date to withdraw U.S. troops. But every
Calif.) said in an interview. He was citing all time Democratic leaders give the green light to
the familiar arithmetic. It takes 60 votes to such a legislative vehicle, it sputters to a halt.
end debate in the Senate, two-thirds of both Senate Republicans narrowly defeated
chambers to override a presidential veto. legislation last week to establish minimum
These answers are correct — and mis- rest time for troops deployed to Iraq. Now
leading almost to the point of deception. it appears moderates in the House will also
We’re not in the business of giving have the chance to test their political might
politicians advice. But it’s a simple truth, on a measure requiring President Bush to be-
whether you support the war or not: There gin drafting a nonbinding blueprint for with-
is a lot more Democrats could do to change, drawal.
or at least challenge, the politics of the war “I’m for moving it, and I think we will
in Washington, even if they do not have the move it,” House Majority Leader Steny H.
numbers to impose new policies on President Hoyer (D-Md.) said of modest legislation au-
Bush. thored by Democratic Reps. Neil Abercrom-
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) bie of Hawaii and John Tanner of Tennessee
could force a vote a day over Iraq. She could that has been sponsored by a handful of mod-
keep the House in session all night, over erate lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.
weekends and through planned vacations.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid See moderates on Page 10
(D-Nev.) could let filibusters run from now
till Christmas rather than yield to pro-war
Budget Process Broken, Stalls Again
Republicans. Such tactics might or might not
be politically sensible, but in their absence,
anti-war lawmakers can hardly say they have
See power & politics on Page 25 By M artin K ady II The federal government will keep es the fiscal deadline.
humming along at the previous year’s But the perennial delay, even with a
When the fiscal year ends at midnight spending levels, though, thanks to the change in power on Capitol Hill, sug-
INSIDE Sunday, Congress will have missed the congressional innovation known as the gests the appropriations process is either
The Norman Hsu deadline for every federal spending bill, continuing resolution, a budgetary ma- broken or severely hobbled, as neither
fundraising scandal something Democrats used to repeat- neuver that buys Congress time to work
may reverberate in edly rip Republicans for. out its appropriations bills when it miss- See budget on Page 6
the Nebraska Sen-
Eight Months, No Bill?
ate race because
of Hsu’s connection
to Bob Kerrey.
Page 14
ap By Josephine Hearn Loebsack) or celebrate the bald eagle (from
Kerrey Tennessee Republican Rep. David Davis).
It’s been eight months and 22 days As a whole, the freshman class has averaged
Who’s on Top in GOP Field? 3 since Rep. Yvette Clarke was sworn in nine legislative measures per lawmaker.
as a member of Congress. Yet more than Clarke said in an interview Wednesday
Will Congress Get a Global Warning? 4 a third of the way through her two-year that she has been occupied with other re-
term, the New York Democrat has yet to sponsibilities.
Anti-Fraud Bills Get Bipartisan Support 12 introduce any bill, resolution or amend- “I have not really concentrated that much
ment on the House floor. on crafting legislation,” she said. “Part of it
How Washington Works: Iraq 17 That fact makes her unique among 54 was getting my bearings. I do have interest.
House freshmen; every other new lawmaker I just haven’t made that my ultimate focus.”
Classifieds 26 has proposed some floor legislation, if only a Constituent work and hiring qualified
symbolic measure to congratulate a victori- john shinkle — politico
www.POLITICO.com ous golfer (from Iowa Democratic Rep. Dave See no bills on Page 18 Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.), center
