Testimony of U.S. commander in Iraq signals no change in U.S. Iraq policy

CHANGE UNLIKELY TILL NEXT PRESIDENT

Petraeus' position is offensive to Democrats, who have been vowing to end the war for a long time.

Democrats, who control the Senate and the House of Representatives, may threaten to put restrictions on the next round of war funding.

Some may even try to impose timetables for withdrawal.

But Democrats' efforts to force a change in the Iraq policy are unlikely to go far before the end of Bush's term, given their lack of a commanding majority in Congress.

For one thing, polls show that the American public isn't sure of the exit strategy it wants, although the war is overwhelmingly unpopular.

Another factor is that the general election, which that will choose the next president and control of Congress, is only seven months away.

Democrats may also decide that it's probably worth waiting, as party leaders see a profitable election ahead.

The minimal effect of Petraeus' report will be to spark a new round of policy debate in Congress.

House and Senate debates over supplemental funding of the Iraq war could begin next month and Democrats will use the chance to attack the Bush administration and score political gains.

Sen. Jack Reed, a Democratic Senate Armed Services Committee member, said that Americans "are right to question why we continue to write a blank check to the Iraqi government instead of focusing more of our budget on American families struggling with the high cost of gas, groceries and a slumping economy."

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat from California, said, "to have a new direction in America, we need a new direction in Iraq."

Editor:Zhang Pengfei