"I think people are distracted, rightfully so, with economic issues," said Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., the chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus and the only lawmaker to vote against the original Afghanistan war authorization in 2001. "It's a very desperate situation. People are losing their health care and their jobs."
The public's muted reaction is being mirrored by Congress. There's an air of resignation among lawmakers and little talk of trying to block or make significant changes to Obama's plan. Even liberals who disagree with the president have measured their criticisms, while conservatives who support a troop buildup were left with little choice but to go along.
Why would Rep. Lee and the AP think the public are any different?
