As remarkable as the concept may sound after years of Democratic dysfunction, something akin to a two-party system appeared to take shape November 1, the week after Scooter Libby was indicted. Democrats forced the GOP-controlled Senate into closed session to discuss the status of a promised investigation into the Administration's misuse of intelligence before the Iraq invasion. Minority leader Harry Reid thundered from the floor, "I demand on behalf of the American people that we understand why these investigations aren't being conducted." Majority leader Bill Frist absurdly accused Reid of "hijacking" the Senate. Frist's fury was understandable--he and his leadership team are unfamiliar with the challenges posed by an aggressive opposition. Taking the Republicans by surprise proved to be smart strategy. The Democrats won the day, securing establishment of a bipartisan committee to examine charges that Intelligence Committee chair Pat Roberts has stalled the investigation. This success should embolden them to question the war and hold the Administration to account. Reid was slow to evolve from "minority leader" to "opposition leader," but success might encourage him to retain the title.

Subscriber Login

User Name

Password

Subscribe Now!

The only way to read this article and the full contents of each week's issue of The Nation online is by subscribing to the magazine. Subscribe now and read this article -- and every article published since for the past five years -- right now.

There's no obligation -- try The Nation for four weeks free.

• Get The Nation at home (and online!) for 75 cents a week!
• If you like this article, consider making a donation to The Nation.