Congress returns to work on Thursday, where Democrats will inherit a congressional agenda dominated by the war in Iraq, increasing their exposure to what has only been a politically damaging issue for Republicans.
In the weeks ahead, the new Democratic Congress will be confronted with President Bush's new plan for Iraq and a White House request that lawmakers authorize an estimated additional $100 billion to pay for the war.
Democrats also may be asked to support a plan lifting restrictions on reserve deployments to ease the strain on active-duty troops.
While Democrats may try to deflect as much attention as they can toward Bush — citing the president's ownership of the war and congressional limitations on foreign policy — they no doubt will find themselves playing a starring role in a debate that cost Republicans votes in the midterm elections last fall.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070102/ap_on_go_co/democrats_iraq