How quickly has Minnesota Congressman Gil Gutknecht reversed course on his views of the Iraq war? According to the Washington Post:

“The evolving Republican message on the war contrasts with the strong rhetoric used by House and Senate Republicans recently in opposing a deadline for withdrawal from Iraq. During a debate last month, Gutknecht intoned, “Members, now is not the time to go wobbly.” This week, he conceded “I guess I didn’t understand the situation,” saying that a partial troop withdrawal now would “send a clear message to the Iraqis that the next step is up to you.””

How does it work, that one month he was helping to spread Republican lies and intimidation about the war, but now he expects to be taken completely seriously in arguing differently? Does he really now, as Gutknecht implies, “understand the situation?” Or this a sign that mercifully, finally, the political advantages of supporting Iraq withdrawal overpower the bloodlust and bravado of even the stupidest Republican representatives?