Here’s how the Illinois vote went today in the House favoring 256-153 the Iraq war resolution that “rejects setting a timetable for pulling U.S. forces out of Iraq, labels the Iraq war part of the global fight against terrorism and praises American troops,” with X denoting those not voting.

Democrats — Bean, Y; Costello, Y; Davis, N; Emanuel, N; Evans, X; Gutierrez, X; Jackson, N; Lipinski, Y; Rush, N; Schakowsky, N.

Republicans — Biggert, Y; Hastert, Y; Hyde, Y; Johnson, Y; Kirk, Y; LaHood, Y; Manzullo, Y; Shimkus, Y; Weller, Y.

The Senate creamed a Dem-inspired contrary resolution — calling for withdrawal by year-end yesterday, 93-6.  It was Kerry’s idea. He did not want it voted on, however. 

Documents found since Zarqawi took on room temperature 

stressed the need to manipulate Moslem and Western media. This was to be done by starting rumors of American atrocities, and feeding the media plausible supporting material. Al Qaeda’s attitude was that if they could not win in reality, they could at least win imaginary battles via the media.

They know how to win hearts and minds.  Rush Limbaugh has taken to calling AP “al-AP.”  It’s full of useful idiots, or so the Big Z and friends thought.  There’s more.

In this morning’s New York Post, Ralph Peters writes on “Terrorist Defeatism.” Drawing on captured al Qaeda documents, Peters exposes the closely-guarded secret (closely guarded by the western media, anyway) that we are winning in Iraq, where al Qaeda says its situation is “bleak.” And that was before its leader was killed, and nearly 1,000 more killed or rounded up.

The Dems are looking like toast in November.  Viva Bush & Rumsfeld.