After staging a dramatic takeover of Congress on a wave of discontent with the war the Democrats have unveiled their plan for Iraq. Instead of a strong measure to win the war or a call to withdraw, the Democrats have offered a plan to restrict, but not halt, military action in Iraq until the next election. This resolution is impotent, dangerous and cowardly.

It is impotent because the law would freeze the number of US troops in Iraq without setting a real withdrawal deadline. This is worse than withdrawal or surge because unlike withdrawal it still keeps our soldiers being killed off in handfuls and it is worse than surge because it prevents the Army from bringing in reinforcements to stabilize and reduce casualties. Not only does the freeze put American lives on the line, but the restrictions meant to promote withdrawal are meaningless. Included in the bill is the proviso that troops may only continue training missions indefinitely, but all major operations are training operations already as any excursion alongside Iraqi units can be treated as such.

It is dangerous because it insures our prolonged, bloody defeat in the war. If we won’t withdraw there is no chance that we can cut our losses and redeploy our forces to other battlegrounds in the War on Terror. If we cannot bring reinforcements then the tactical situation will never improve and thousands more young Americans will die in the present quagmire.

And finally, it is cowardly because the Democrats have placed the deadline for the bill to March 2008, after the next Congress and President have been elected. Far from a brave act to end the war in their term, the Democrats have chosen to pass the baton to the next government, betting the lives of our soldiers on the next election, perhaps banking that enough blood will give them the seats they need.

For a moment after the 2006 elections I was happy, although I voted for Bush I hoped that a change in Congress would prod him away from the disastrous direction he has taken our foreign policy. I should have known better, the Democrats have instead proposed something worse than inaction, and the only hope I see now for the situation is electing better Republicans in 2008.

With a booming economy and stabilizing budget (deficit to GDP is dropping sharply) the party has a strong claim to power, all that is needed is a reform of leadership and foreign policy doctrine. After two years of pathetic inaction, the Republicans must be ready to take the helm, admit past mistakes of military adventurism and take America back its natural position of global leadership.