News Analysis: Ugly debate over Iraq: An omen for Congress?

By Carl Hulse The New York Times
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2005

WASHINGTON It was a bitter and fitting final note for a discordant U.S. Congress.

The ugly debate in the House of Representatives last Friday over the Iraq war served as an emotional send-off for this week's Thanksgiving holiday recess, capturing perfectly the political tensions coursing through the House and Senate in light of President George W. Bush's slumping popularity, serious party policy fights, spreading ethics investigations and the approach of crucial midterm elections in less than a year.

Capitol Hill was always certain to be swept up in brutal political gamesmanship as lawmakers headed into 2006 - the midpoint of this second presidential term and, perhaps, a chance for Democrats to cut into Republican majorities or even seize power in one chamber or the other.