Reid: "Open to Compromise"

In an interview in today's Washington Post, Majority Leader Harry Reid made it clear that he may be open to compromise with the GOP when it comes to dealing with Iraq. This shift, which seems to be coming as we all brace of a September showdown over the war, is obviously going to upset some people (myself included) who believe he, nor the rest of the majority-blessed Democrats, have not done enough to end this war in their eight months in power.

After months of dealing with Republican roadblock tactics, it seems they might be finally getting the best of our dear leader:

"I don't think we have to think that our way is the only way," Reid said of specific dates during an interview in his office here. "I'm not saying, 'Republicans, do what we want to do.' Just give me something that you think you would like to do, that accomplishes some or all of what I want to do."

Our way is to get out of Iraq, there way is to stay there. There could not be a more black and white issue in this country. Granted, all attempts at our way have thus far been blocked. But last November, the American people gave the Democrats in Congress a mandate to try to end this war. As far as I'm concerned, there is nothing wrong with being relentless on an issue more than 3/4 of the country wants you to be relentless on.

In the interview, he said that his goal remains an immediate return of U.S. troops but that now is the time to work with the GOP. He cited bringing up legislation after Labor Day that would require troops to have more home leave, forcing military leaders to reduce troop levels, a measure that has drawn some Republican support.

Work with the GOP? Is this the same GOP which is home to two Senators who have prostitution scandals hanging over their heads (one male, one female)? Or the same GOP as torture artist Alberto Gonzales? Or how bout the GOP on the two year anniversary of Katrina? If not all of those, then it must be the man himself: George W. Bush.  

Say it ain't so, Harry.

That debate screeched to a halt in late July after the most poisonous confrontation since Democrats took control of Congress eight months ago. Reid convened an all-night session that infuriated Republicans, who blocked a Democratic withdrawal measure. Despite antiwar stirrings within the GOP, just four Republican senators broke ranks on the vote, and several chastised Reid, saying he wasted the Senate's time on a publicity stunt.

Reid then dropped the war debate, hoping to highlight Republican obstructionism. But the delay has provided the administration with breathing room to build its case that Bush's strategy is working. Petraeus is expected to report to Congress next month that there are some signs of progress in Iraq and that a precipitous U.S. withdrawal could be disastrous.

The all-night session really changed my mind on Reid. I thought he had finally found his sense of direction regarding getting tough on Iraq and I hoped that he would keep the Senate in session and going and going until someone finally broke down. As always, it seemed Reid was afraid of being accused of playing politics. But Americans want the Democrats to play politics. They want to end this war. They gave the Democrats the majority so they could try to do so. If we fail to do so and shrink back into the minority, we will not have to wonder long why that is.

September is a big month for not just the Democrats, but for America. And while no one knows exactly what the Petraeus report will say, one might venture a guess that it says despite a lot of work ahead, this is a winnable fight. That will be music to the dying GOP's ears. Bush will continue to ask for more money. The GOP leaders in Congress will continue to roadblock. The war will go on. And so it goes.

Unless, that is, Harry Reid and the rest of the Democratic leadership can get their act together, remember the job they were mandated to do, and bring about some real change before the likely September cushion on Iraq sets in. Time is running out.