NOT WILLING TO TAKE OUR OWN SIDE IN AN ARGUMENT

Barack Obama announces plans to send 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan and, according to the new New York Times/CBS poll, he's increased his approval on Afghanistan among Republicans. As expected.

But where are the numbers now? Here's where they are:

The percentage of Republicans who approve of Mr. Obama's Afghanistan policy has increased 19 percentage points since November to 42 percent; 55 percent of Democrats approved, little-changed since last month.

In other words, a majority of us Democrats approve a policy that does the opposite of what we think should be done. But with Republicans, Obama still can't get to majority support, even though he's done what they want:

About two-thirds of Republicans support the troop escalation, while 53 percent of Democrats oppose it.

Yes, the 2011 withdrawal plan complicate matters -- we like that, Republicans don't.

But why do we Democrats give Obama majority support for an Afghanistan policy we don't like? As usual, we're wearing the "Kick Me" sign. As usual, we won't take our side in a fight.