Listening to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee today, and I feel like I've fallen OUT of bizarro world and back into real life.

There were experts, generals, the usual gang. What was different this time was the tone. To wit: it was agreeable and reasonable.

Everybody agreed that Gen. Patraeus has done a lot with a little
Everybody agreed that it hasn't been enough and that the surge has pretty much fizzled
No one questioned anyone else's patriotism
The general dude lamented Congress' lack of meaningful oversight over the years, attributing it to faux patriotism and bullying
Each expert said "this administration won't change things in Iraq, and things have to change"
Each expert was clear that they were not "recommending" troop withdrawal, they were saying it is inevitable
None of the Republicans on the committee tried to bluster or to obfuscate or to question the motives of anyone
None of the Democrats tried to rationalize their capitulating behavior
Everyone agreed that the course has to change, that "this thing is over" and that there's no more "just give it a try!" scenarios to play out

We may be past the point where anything can be done about anything, but I haven't heard this kind of frank, direct, complete talk from this situation...ever.

Which got me to thinking about George Bush's lame duck status. The administration has been able to do what it has been able to do because of bullying, intimidation and other strong arm tactics. When you've still got years in office, few people have the cajones to stand up to you under those circumstances.

But as your time in power whittles down to months, a few of the braver souls with the deeper seniority might start coming forward...as this lot did today...to not just respectfully disagree with your ideas, but to suggest that you are, in fact, a drooling idiot.

And I think the politicians are catching on. There's no money left in supporting this war, and they know it. And there's no election strategy around "give me another six months and I swear I can fix this thing!" And they know it.

Patreaus testifies next week. This ought to be good.