Dubya has learned how to maintain his bully pulpit and generate headlines as a lame duck: by making the craziest, most factually baseless, arguments possible.

Democrats appear to be descending into one of their patented shame spirals as they fret about how to respond to the upcoming surge report.

But they should recognize that Bush is showing his weakness and bankrupt credibility by digging himself even deeper into the land of wingnuttia delusion.

Instead of offering a united front against the latest blast of propaganda, we're seeing some Dems fall susceptible to it after being led by the nose while touring Iraq.

(Similar lameness followed congressional tours of Gitmo two years ago. Something about these stage managed tours turns brains to mush.)

There's no need to expect Dems are all of a sudden going to become surge boosters and regime change lovers.

But if they become hesitant in debunking attempts to glorify the surge and justify a continued occupation, they will not only lose the debate about the surge tactic.

They will also be helping neocons continue to frame the larger, more important, debate over foreign policy strategy.

Presidential candidates take note: when congressional Dems fall down on the job, it presents opportunities for you to show real leadership and directly challenge the neocon worldview.