The New Note

The basic point here is that it's time for beltway reporters to stop writing about the war as a divisive issue. Only 24% approve of Bush's handling of the war in a recent NY Times/CBS poll, 71% disapprove. I'm not sure how The Note can then suggest that:

[T]he parties' bases are pushing the executive and legislative branches in opposite directions.

For the last several months, perhaps more than any other single issue, opposition to the continuation of the war has TRANSCENDED party affiliation. Republicans and beltway reporters would do well to get this basic fact through their thick skulls, otherwise (horror) Democrats will continue to pile up election victories.