The Only Poll Worth Mentioning

With wingers in full "High-five, beers are on me as soon as I borrow 10 bucks from my Mom" mode over both the demise of the immigration bill and America's distaste for Congress, a little reality check is in order:

The Democratic leadership in Congress "has lost some support among Americans -- but not so much that the public wants Republicans back in charge," according to a new CNN/Opinion Research Poll.

While 49% say they "disapproved of what Democratic leaders in Congress have done since taking over in January," some 57% "said they believe Democratic control of Congress is good for the country."

And people would be more inclined to say this if they knew the lengths to which the GOP was completely obstructing Congress' work. Even as it is, the public intuitively understands that a Democratic Congress is at least trying to fight for their interests. The President is completely out of political capital and increasingly irrelevant. Republicans in Congress feel that if they give nobody a victory for the next 18 months, they can somehow run on getting America moving again or something. All they have left is playing defense.

For the Democrats, their numbers will simply not turn around until they do something about the war. Impressive domestic victories and exposing GOP obstructionism (sign the petition) won't do it. Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi have announced a strategy to end the war, involving a series of new votes. I don't know if it'll work, and I hope they don't resume this tactic only to cave again. But it appears that the lesson has been learned and they'll fight on this, despite the fact that continuing the war would actually be advantageous to the Democrats politically. It's time to put country before party.

And if the Democrats do that, I think their numbers at least have a chance to turn around. The Republican brand may be too shot to hell to even have a chance at that.