Answer: Democrats.

For the past several weeks the Democrats in Congress have been peddling the "Bush lied, people died" slander and calling for the immediate (and irresponsible) pullout of U.S. troops from Iraq.

The other day, Vietnam War vet and Democrat congressman John Murtha called for the "immediate" pullout of U.S. troops from Iraq. Murtha had previously described the war as "unwinnable." While much of the media described Murtha as a "hawk," he'd been at best wishy-washy on the war from the very beginning.

So, seeking to put the Democrats' rhetoric to the test, last night the Republicans in the House put the issue to a vote.

I didn't get to watch it, but from what I've read CSPAN made for good TV last night. Usually the TVs around the newsroom are tuned to either sports or cable news channels (and muted) on Friday night -- last night they were practically locked on CSPAN and occasional bursts of sound could be heard coming from speakers.

So, what happened? Well, the Democrats tried -- again -- to rewrite history by suggesting that Murtha wasn't suggesting an "immediate" withdrawl, but a "swift" one. (For an analysis of the "truth" of that claim, Discriminations has done some excellent reporting.)

In the end, the vote for an immediate withdrawl of troops from Iraq was 403-3 against. The three loony, but intellectually consistent, Democrats voting for were Jose Serrano (N.Y.), Robert Wexler (Fla.) and Cynthia McKinney (Ga.).

So, what is the bottom line? We're not to the point yet that Democrats feel they really can cut and run. The polls say the American people aren't happy with the way the war in Iraq is being run, but the public doesn't know how to fix it -- and neither do Democrats. The loony left base over at DUMB and DailyKos may support an immediate pullout, but that's not an acceptable answer -- even to the Democrats in Congress.

So, what do you call it when you hold press conference after press conference calling for something to be done, and then, when that very issue comes up for a vote, voting against it?

Playing politics.

With a war.

With American troops in the field.

Facing danger every day.

Democrats should be ashamed of themselves.