Discouraging

Kevin Drum explains why there are no sufficient political pluses and many political minuses to Democrats for ending the war and concludes,

Not only are there fewer upsides than downsides, but the upsides are vague and fuzzy while the downsides are sharp and terrifying and potentially career-ending. This is the underlying dynamic that will probably keep us in Iraq essentially forever, no matter who we elect president. It's all very discouraging.

Discouraging indeed.