It must suck to be a Democrat in Congress these days. Just think, back in November 2006 they took over the House and the Senate basically on the promise to end the war in Iraq. Many voters bought into it and elected them.

Now most of the top Democratic presidential candidates are saying they won’t bring the troops home from Iraq anytime soon if they are elected. This has got to be eating at the Democratic supporters deep down in their stomachs.

Now, the war in Iraq is going our way. The surge is working. The Democrats have come across as anti-military.

After winning the majority, the Democrats seemed to say, “Now what?” Then someone said, “Hey, I know. Let’s get Bush. We’ll hold a hearing!”

The Democrats seemed to forget that our government has three branches. There are checks and balances. One check is the Executive Branch. The Democrats have to deal with the “cowboy” President, George W. Bush. He doesn’t care about any stinking polls. Of course, Bush’s head is sometimes as hard as George Washington’s is on Mount Rushmore. He found a veto pen. He’s going to use it more and more.

The Democrats decided to hold hearing after hearing about ethical issues in the Bush administration. The Democrats have won a few small battles, but they are losing the war against cowboy Bush.

Most polls show the Democrat-led Congress has favorable ratings a lot lower than the President’s numbers. In fact, this Democratic-led congress has historically low numbers. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid might even have trouble being re-elected in 2010 as his ratings are dropping. Is Harry the next Tom Daschle?

The Democrat’s promise to change the earmark process failed. Truth is Democrats like to eat pork, too. They also like to get those campaign contributions from the big spenders and also provide those big spenders with pork.

The Democrats have passed no appropriations bills. They were supposed to be done by October 1. They promised to change that process. They failed.

Here in Montana, Jon Tester has not made Washington look a little more like Montana. He’s not fought to do away with earmarks – he’s eating the pork like everyone else. It’s like he’s found a buffet that’s open 24 hours – the all you can eat type for $7.95.

And Max Baucus, well, there’s not enough space to write about him. He’s chairman of the Finance Committee. Big deal. He’s raising money for reelection like it’s a telethon. Baucus and his Political Action Committee buddy, Charles Rangel, just might give us the biggest tax increase in history if they are still in the majority in 2009.

Baucus, Tester, and Governor Brian Schweitzer are in a tough spot. It looks like Hillary Clinton will be the Democrat nominee for President. Montanans don’t care for Hillary. I urge them to bring Hillary to Montana. Heck, let’s have a barbecue at the Sieben ranch for her during Max’s annual feast there. Stand up with her on a stage, hold hands with her, and tell Montanans why they should vote for her…and you.

So the road ahead has some potholes for the Democrats. Maybe pothole is not the correct word here. Maybe craters would be a better term. They just may be tagged with the slogan, “the most do-nothing Congress in American history.”

Will the Republicans capitalize on it? Time will tell. Time will tell.