Dems to Inherit Agenda Dominated by War

Incoming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., second from left, accompanied by her husband Paul, left, pauses to pay her respects by the casket of former President Gerald Ford in the Capitol Rotunda on Capitol Hill in Washington Monday, Jan. 1, 2007. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (Gerald Herbert - AP)

WASHINGTON -- Now the majority party, Democrats will inherit an agenda dominated by the war in Iraq when the new Congress convenes Thursday, increasing their exposure to what has mostly 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.

"They'll have to show they can govern and govern in a way that will help the executive branch resolve this," said James Thurber, director of American University's Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies.

But resolving Iraq won't be easy, and Democrats run the risk of going too far in criticizing the president. Recent polls show Americans remain frustrated with Bush's handling of the war, but don't think Democrats have offered much of an alternative.

"They will be in the majority, and they will be blamed if they try to block the president from implementing an exit strategy," Thurber said.

The president is thought to be considering a plan to increase the number of forces in Iraq. But the specifics of how many troops will be added to the existing 140,000 force and for how long are not known.

Bush said last week he planned to engage lawmakers before making his announcement later this month. Congressional leaders planned to attend a White House reception expected at midweek.

Foreshadowing the debate to come, Democrats swiftly rallied against the notion of sending more troops, saying Iraqis must take a stronger role in security matters.

"The Iraqis need to understand that the responsibility for the future of that country is theirs," Rep.-elect Jerry McNerney, D-Calif., said Saturday in the Democrats' weekly radio address.

"I have not heard from our military, clamoring for additional soldiers," Rep. Jim Marshall, D-Ga., said upon returning from a trip to Iraq with Gen. Peter Schoomaker, the Army chief of staff.