Obama Surge Dicey for Campaigning Dems

President Obama’s decision on the Afghan troop surge is throwing a big monkey wrench into the campaigns of some Democrats, who must now walk the line between an exasperated liberal base and the approval of the White House. Support for the surge is being wielded like a cudgel by primary challengers and Republicans alike. Either way, “the base is disappointed by this decision,” an activist tells Politico. “I think this, at best, could be trouble for Democratic candidates in 2010.”

Odd cases abound. The liberal Democrat challenging erstwhile-Republican Arlen Specter actually supports the surge, and has painted the senator’s reservations as another case of flip-floppery. The same charge is being made against a New Hampshire Dem by her GOP opposition. Elsewhere, long shots are using their opposition to the troop increase to—hopefully—bring the liberal base to the polls come November. However candidates fall on the issue, it appears toxic. (More Afghanistan troop surge stories.)