Mooching around the lefty sphere, I come across this piece from TPM Cafe on intra-Dem negotiations today on the Pelosi Iraq proposal.

It's basically single-source Capitol gossip. But, I think, rises to the level of probable cause when it comes to this:

According to my source, one of the things that's particularly galling to the liberals is that earlier drafts of the leadership's approach contained a measure that would have forced funding to stop if the troops weren't withdrawn by the date mandated in the legislation. But, my source says, that language was gone from the final version. This pissed off some liberals who think that this was a needless concession to moderate "Blue Dog" Dems that will dilute the measure's ultimate effectiveness.

Now, just because a rider is in an apps doesn't mean it affects appropriations one way or the other.

But - it's something to watch out for - when we finally get to see some legislative language.

There's more...

Now that our friends in the Senate have finally left the Capitol for the recess, we can use the moment of quiet reflection to work on a realistic understanding of the options that the Dems have in proposing Congressional measures on Iraq.

The last cut here was Chris's piece yesterday, which suggested that the big names in the Senate touting different plans should get together to work up a single plan which could be sold to the voters. (Something I think would be worthwhile.)

And also suggested that

the Murtha-Pelosi plan...actually has a real chance of passing

- with which suggestion I disagree.

There's more...

It's not a surprise at all, given earlier comments of Harry and other senior Dem senators (my piece from Friday).

So take his comments on CNN today as just confirmation that nothing much has moved following the House and Senate votes on Friday and yesterday.

There's more...

Loads of bandwith devoted to the use of the upcoming Iraq supplemental bill to try an curb the war in some way.

There was talk of defunding the surge. Now, there's the Murtha Proviso.

But the Post today has yet another reminder of a less spectacular but still burning need: care of Iraq vets who've been physically or mentally damaged in their war service.

There's more...

In this morning's media, I see signs that, while S Con Res 63 (House voting at 1600 today, according to the Note) is a no-brainer for all (almost all?) Dem MCs, the Murtha Proviso may be a different matter.

Few around here will be staggered to learn (LA Timespiece) the name of one doubter:

many Democrats worry about the consequences of trying to block the troop increase by tying strings to the supplemental war appropriations bill Bush has requested. These Democrats warn that Republicans will accuse the party of undermining the military because it is difficult to isolate funding for the troop increase without affecting military personnel already deployed.

"It is a Gordian knot," said California Rep. Ellen O. Tauscher (D-Alamo), who supports the nonbinding resolution.

There's more...