Friday open thread

Had a mild morning, but having a busy afternoon – will be back later tonight to catch up on some blogging.

Here are a couple of quick links: The Politico writes about a week’s full of Democratic failures in trying to get the US to cut from Iraq, including today’s failure to pass the Reed/Levin amendment.

I’ll have more comment on this news later this evening.

TGIF!

Update 7:31 PM: I was going to add my .02 to the Democrats failed week, but came across Brian Faughnan’s blog post at The Weekly Standard, which pretty much sums up my thoughts:

But this whole episode points up a glaring miscalculation by Majority Leader Reid and Speaker Pelosi. They decided months ago that the best course for Democrats–politically–was to oppose everything the president proposed on Iraq. They staked everything on a September showdown with the president–gambling that the pressure of anti-war groups would lead Republicans to sue for an end to the war. They even took some slings and arrows from the Netroots when they allowed legislation to pass to fund the war–figuring that they could get Republican dissidents to end the war, so there would be no Democratic fingerprints.

But where do the Democrats stand today? The president’s hand is stronger. The surge will run its course and phase down on the administration’s timetable. Moderates in both parties are complaining that they have been lied to. And the moderate Democrats are facing potential primary challengers–challenges encouraged by their liberal colleagues.

How are leaders like Reid and Pelosi viewed by their troops now?

Hmmm. Lemme guess. As miserable failures, perhaps?