It's not just the Democrats. To be fair, they don't exist in a vacuum. There is a very strong undercurrent in America that feels Iraq is no longer worth our time. Some never thought it was, for a variety of reasons. Others have changed their minds, or are disillusioned with our incompetent leadership, and now want to leave. Either way, discontent runs very deep.
What you call a demonstration is actually a bit more. It's reconnaissance by fire. The Democrats are actively attacking the base of the war efforts support: money. The utter lack of outcry by the average America should be a blaring klaxon to everyone hoping for victory in Iraq. America, slowly but surely, is accepting the notion that Iraq is lost, and that the Democrats are basically doing what needs to be done to force President Bush to realize it.
We can blame the Democrats all we like, but we'd never be in this state if a large segment of America didn't have their backs.
I don't agree with the notion that discontent over the WOT/Iraq runs deep.
It doesn't at all.
What we have is a public at large that isn't necessarily actively engaged with the war effort. Not gung-ho for it (at this time)...but certainly not gung-ho against it either (hell, every organized "protest" is simply made up of largely 60's hippies trying to relive their pathetic youth).
But back to the point.... It is (and has been) the lack of any coherent PR campaign out of the WH/RNC (and WOT supporting 527s) that have allowed for the MSM/DEMs to spin negative, negative, negative...With no counter to this spin and half-truths from our side....
So you add to this constant negative tone the fact that the public at large is "bored" (for lack of a better) term with Iraq right now and you have the current situation we are in.
A public who is not being actively engaged regarding our successes....A public that is "bored" (largely because they aren't hearing about our successes)...Along with a public that is getting nothing but negative news....You have a public that would rather it went away (but that doesn't mean they have deep discontent with the war itself).
If the WH/RNC (and most importantly WOT 527s!) would get on the offensive and put out a coherent and systematically relentless counter message touting our successes, touting the realities of what we face, touting the reasons why we must stay on the offensive and how AQ has made Iraq the front lines of this war.....I firmly believe the public would turn in a heartbeat to backing nothing less then victory in Iraq (WOT).
No, the discontent (where does exist) may be growing a mile wide...but it isn't even an inch deep....and could be turned around in short order if the energies and resources were allocated for doing so.
So it's not quite fair to blame "the American people." They are acting, historically, as they always have. That's why leaders lead.