Is Our Republicans Learning?

CNN:

A pro-military Democratic congressman's description of the war in Iraq as "unwinnable" unless changes are made sparked anger in House Republicans Thursday.

Rep. John Murtha, D-Pennsylvania, in a news conference with Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, D-California, said the problems in Iraq are due to a "lack of planning" by Pentagon chiefs and "the direction has got be changed or it is unwinnable."

Republicans seized on that word, ignoring Murtha's overall point: that more troops and equipment should be sent to Iraq.

Rep. Tom DeLay, R-Texas, the majority leader, accused Murtha of participating in a "calculated and craven political stunt."

"The Democrats are quitting, calling the war unwinnable while we have our men and women and their families sacrificing every day" charged Rep. Sam Johnson, R-Texas, who was a prisoner of war in Vietnam.

A few things struck me about this story and the way it was reported:

• Of course, the obvious gross stupidity and/or crass politics in the GOP's response leaps out. Observing that we must change direction or the war is unwinnable is clearly different than saying the war is, in fact, unwinnable.


• It's interesting that the reporter, Ted Barrett, felt it necessary to add the "pro-military" label to describe the Democrat, as though most other Dems hate the military. Some memes die hard.


• I give Barrett full marks for noting that the GOP seized on "unwinnable" and completely ignored Murtha's point. Unusual for somebody at CNN or most of our media outlets to point out such things. Could the worm be turning?

Why is it that Republicans have such a hard time with reading comp? Maybe the private schools they went to should be declared "failing" and shut down?

ntodd