63 Percent...We're Still Waiting, Democrats

A new natonwiide poll finds that "sixty three percent of those surveyed were in favor of bringing US troops home from Iraq in the next year." Yet, even as some Democrats courageously say enough is enough, other high-profile Democrats are still saying the party will only have a position "at the right time." Meanwhile, Democratic "aides" are telling the press that "it is doubtful we will have a [Democratic] Caucus position on Iraq" because some Democratic officials believe supporting a withdrawal "is not the right place politically to be." Here are the real simple questions: When will it be the "right time?" How, in light of these polling numbers, can anyone say with a straight face that supporting an exit strategy is "not the right place politically to be?" America is waiting for an answer to these very simple questions.

UPDATE: The Washington Post's Terry Neal has a writeup of why these questions aren't being answered in his column today. Here is the excerpt:

"The party has had little guidance from other high-profile leaders, such as Rep. Rahm Emanuel (Ill.), who heads the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Last week he told reporters, 'Jack Murtha went out and spoke for Jack Murtha.' Asked about his thoughts on what the Iraq policy should be, Emanuel took a bold stand: 'At the right time, we will have a position.' His comments were echoed Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.), an early favorite for the party's 2008 presidential nomination. Asked by National Public Radio where she stood, Clinton said, 'You know, I really can't talk about this on the fly. It's too important.' In other words, Clinton and others are saying 'we'll get back to you after our pollsters focus group it.'"

Terry Neal, in short, nailed it.