The Democrats' deployment dilemma

Senator Ted Kennedy, who would withhold
money for a 'surge' in US troop numbers.
Photograph: Gerald Herbert/APIraq is a problem not just for George Bush but also for the Democrats, who oppose the war but are terrified of being accused of pulling the rug out from under US troops.

Let's start with the president. Bush is expected to announce plans to send an extra 20,000 troops to Iraq when he unveils his "new strategy" tomorrow. But the polls make it clear that Americans overwhelmingly oppose this "surge", on top of the 130,000 troops already there.

A USA Today poll shows 61% of people against, and only 36% for, a troop increase. And in an ABC-Washington Post poll, six out of 10 respondents said the war was not worth fighting, while only 17% favoured a troop increase.

Despite such sentiments, the Democrats - who made gains in the November midterms because of Iraq - are unsure how hard to press the president.

Some, such as Senator Ted Kennedy, want to withhold spending on a troop increase. But others, such as Senator Joseph Biden, think the approach impractical and argue that Congress cannot second-guess the president's military strategy.