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Richard E. Cohen

Public dissatisfaction with the Republicans' management of the Iraq war was a key factor in the party's 30-seat House loss last November. So it's a bit curious and unexpected that House Republicans are suddenly voicing confidence in their political handling of the issue.

Congressional Democrats have been struggling with high-profile divisions over how strongly to push back at President Bush over the war, particularly during consideration of his Iraq supplemental spending request. But while the Democrats are stalemated, House Republicans see an improving political climate. They are encouraged by the Pentagon's new military strategy on the ground and by the hands-on message coordination led by Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio.

"There is a feeling among Republicans that is upbeat, cohesive, and no longer on the defensive," said Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., the ranking member on the Homeland Security Committee. "No one saw this coming. But we have made good arguments and have come together.... With our side coming together, Democrats can't come up with their next step."

King was referring to the February 16 House vote on the Democrats' nonbinding resolution opposing Bush's troop surge in Iraq. As the weeklong debate began, Republicans expected to lose at least 40 to 50 votes on their side. But they ended up losing only 17 GOP votes when the House approved the measure 246-182.

"We handled the debate very well," said Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Mich., the ranking member on the Select Committee on Intelligence. "Democrats wanted to talk about Bush's tactical mistakes in Iraq. We saw it as much more than that ... in the war against radical Islam."

"On the supplemental [spending bill], Democrats thought that they could criticize the president and get a bipartisan coalition," Hoekstra added. "Now it's becoming clear to them that Republicans won't be with them if they limit the president's options in the war.... And Boehner recognizes that good public policy is good only if we know how to talk about it."

King, Hoekstra, and the ranking members of the Armed Services and Foreign Affairs committees have been meeting frequently with Boehner and other top GOP leaders to strategize on the Iraq issue. According to party insiders, Rep. Jim Saxton, R-N.J., a senior Armed Services member, also played a key role by assembling a meeting last month in which, as he recounted, the ambassadors from Egypt and Jordan told about 50 House Republicans, "If you leave Iraq with your business unfinished, it will inflame the region and affect the U.S."

"The [February floor] debate helped to provide a spotlight for the public to see some facts on Iraq," Saxton said. "It's part of the global war on terror. And support for our troops entails support for our mission." He also credited Boehner with bringing House Republicans together. "He understands that this is an important set of national security issues, but that we lost the last election because of it. So he is working to convince members of what is the right thing to do, without forcing them."

Rep. Sam Johnson, R-Texas, noted a shift in public sentiment since mid-February. "Members went home and talked to their constituents" over the Presidents' Day recess, he said. "They don't want to lose in Iraq." Asked about seemingly daily reports of violence in the region, he replied, "The press reports the bad stuff, not the good stuff." Many Republicans cited Johnson's stirring closing speech during last month's debate -- in which he emphasized his seven years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam -- as helping the party to stand relatively united against the Democratic resolution.

Democrats, for their part, are inclined to dismiss the Republicans' newfound unity. "Where the heck were they" when they were in control? asked Rep. Ellen Tauscher, D-Calif., who chairs the House New Democrat Coalition. "The American people are demanding change in Congress. They have spoken their deep concerns about a complicated situation." Tauscher has circulated a proposal for a new congressional vote authorizing the use of force in Iraq that would also require the Defense secretary to submit a plan for the phased redeployment of U.S. forces.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., who is working to build Democratic consensus, said this week that he is open to talking to Republicans, even to exploring Boehner's expressed interest in backing the spending bill, with caveats. But he added, "We are hopeful to pass a bill with Democrats -- an overwhelming number of Democrats -- and Republicans."

For now, House Democrats seem hard-pressed to find 218 votes in their ranks for any single approach on the war-funding measure. And the rising buoyancy among Republicans is a vital new element in the legislative dynamics.