Griper Blade: Fatal Talking Points

Iraq is not a war, Iraq is a public relations problem. Iraq is not a war, Iraq is a public relations problem. Iraq is not a war, Iraq is a public relations problem...

That's the Republican stand on the war in Iraq. It's like a mantra or, more accurately, a rapidly failing system of self-hypnosis. It's not what they say openly, but it's clearly what most of them believe.

The big Senate sleepover last night and, as I write, today has left Republicans a little open. They're almost certain to win this, since a veto of the debated Reid-Levin amendment is likewise certain. The Democrats had their 'can't lose' position before, but they let it go. There's no way that Reid-Levin, a very modest measure requires a troop drawdown -- not a withdrawal -- within 120 days will result in a drawdown in 120 days. It would take a miracle and I'm not a big believer in those.

On the other hand, Republicans are completely out of rhetorical ammo. In defending a war without purpose, they have no good arguments, only hollow and braindead talking points...

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