Dems choose the battles they can win
By Manu Raju
Posted: 07/15/08 07:46 PM
Democratic leaders are taking a more cautious approach in the months leading up to the November election, focusing on bedrock domestic issues that resonate with voters while conceding drawn-out battles that make them look weak.
Last year each side hardened its positions on issues such as spending, healthcare and the Iraq war, forcing Democrats to accept an unrelenting GOP minority unwilling to override Bush’s vetoes.
This year Democrats have effectively pulled GOP members away from the White House on a range of issues, such as awarding education benefits to GIs and opposing a reduction in Medicare payments to doctors — exposing the deepest fractures since President Bush took office nearly eight years ago.
At the same time, Democrats have demonstrated restraint on issues where they are more likely to lose, instead of engaging in a protracted and ultimately futile battle with the president.
“It’s an election year, and a lot of Republicans now understand that being loyal to Bush to the bitter end is going to result in a bitter end,” said Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.).
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http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/dems-choose-the-battles-they-can-win-2008-07-15.html