By Mike Whitney Al-Jazeerah, October 16, 2006 The giddiness among Democrats about their prospects for a sweep in both Houses of Representatives has reached a level of absolute euphoria. But what exactly are the voters hoping for? A speedy exit from Iraq? Forgetta-bout-it! John Walsh posted a great article on counterpunch.org; âElection 2006: The Fix is already Inâ, which outlines the grim facts about âcandidate selectionâ in the Democratic Party. The Democratic leadership has no intention of extracting us from the bloody mess in Babylon and they have methodically rooted-out the bothersome antiwar-types from their pool of potential candidates. As Walsh points out, nearly 8 out of every 10 Democrats (78%) want an immediate or partial withdrawal of troops from Iraq. That, of course, makes no difference to the DLC-powerbrokers who have thrown their bucks behind candidates who are completely divorced from the convictions of the party faithful. As Walsh says: â64% of the Democratic candidates in the 45 closely contested House Congressional races OPPOSE a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq. Note carefully: not only do these Democratic worthies oppose the Murtha or McGovern bills for rapid withdrawal or defunding the war; they oppose as much as a timetableâ¦.The position of these Dem candidates is indistinguishable from that of George W. Bushâ. Amen. Prediction: The Democrats will never get us out of Iraq nor will they repeal the Patriot Act or the Military Commissions Act of 2006 (which allows Bush to imprison American citizens without charges and torture them according to his own discretion) The party has been co-opted by a pro-business, liberty-slashing, war-mongering clique of free traders who simply feel they can put a better face on imperial politics. http://www.aljazeerah.info/Opinion editorials/2006 Opinion Editorials/October/16 o/Democrats America's%20Other%20War%20Party%20By%20Mike%20Whitney.htm