The inverse of victory?

Brit Hume noted yesterday that the Democrats in Congress are claiming that they won a victory in Iraq because General Casey's plans for phased withdrawal are the same as their proposals calling for withdrawal on a specified date or schedule. Bush's policy has been from the beginning that we would stand down as the Iraqi government and forces stand up, yet the Democrats have complained that he had no plan, no exit strategy, etc.

How dumb do they think we are? This is a parasitical political strategy: wait and watch your opponent's actions, then, before they are complete, demand a very similar program and declare victory when they follow through with their original statements and accomplish their goals.

You've got to give the Dems credit for creativity and chutzpah, but where would they be without Republicans to supply the ideas and actions? They certainly are far ahead in coming up with novel rhetorical devices and sophistries, but their current mental confusion suggests the perils of such argument. Do it enough, and you lose the ability to perceive truth.