I was a smidge too hard.

But only a smidge.

The actual vagaries of what's in the new budget won't change the narrative; the Democrats accepted Bush's numbers, with nothing in return. And in the end, they'll probably end this facade of funding their own "priorities", too. However, if they dump abstinence-only education, I won't be cryin'. The devil's in the details.

Democratic leaders tried to put the best face on their surrender on domestic spending levels, promising that the final bill will reflect their priorities, if not their preferred funding -- "the president's number, our priorities," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). She noted that the bill would increase funding for children's health programs, nutrition and medical research at the National Institutes of Health.

Democrats will also increase spending on heating assistance for the poor, health care for veterans, local law enforcement and border security, Democratic leadership aides said last night.

To meet those goals, staff members on the House Appropriations Committee will probably target the president's "Millennium Challenge" international aid program, his abstinence-education efforts and the scandal-plagued "Reading First" education effort.

The Millennium Challenge may be a stupid thing to raid, but it's probably run like garbage.