Congress vote on Iraq: can they withstand the independents?

Iraq vote tough for GOP lawmakers
By Margaret Talev and Renee Schoof
McClatchy Newspapers
...Dozens of Republicans are expected to vote for the Democrats' resolution opposing the 21,500-troop increase. Some hail from conservative districts and won re-election last year by wide margins. Others won with 55 percent of the vote or less, including Reps. Ric Keller of Florida, Phil English of Pennsylvania and Tom Davis of Virginia. By crossing party lines, they could build support from independents and Democrats, but they also could court primary challenges.... (Seattle Times)

"The damage was among independents..."

Aderholt glad only 17 in GOP jumped ship on surge vote
By CHRIS WELCH
...Of the 17 party votes in the House, Aderholt added, "I think this is just a way for Republicans to send the president a message."
Aderholt touched on a number of issues Saturday, but focused on why the Republicans lost control of the Congress 233-202 after the Nov. 6 election. They had previously controlled Congress by the same number. The party commissioned a study of why things went so badly and got the results a month ago. ....The bottom line, he said, is "the damage was among independents, the voters in the middle; the election was more than just Iraq and the images and brand of the GOP took a hit." ... (Huntsville Times)