I IMAGINE A LOT OF BUSH ALUMNI ARE LAUGHING UP THEIR SLEEVES: Democrats Dragooned Into Supporting War: The president relies on party loyalty, not policy arguments.

Chris Matthews of MSNBC, who served on Capitol Hill for years as a top Democratic aide, put the party’s dilemma in stark terms on Wednesday: “I think the Democrats are going to be forced to sacrifice men and women who really, really don’t want to vote for this. They’re going to have to vote for it to save the president’s hide. That’s a bad position to put your party in.”

One reason it’s especially awkward is that on the substance, the White House isn’t doing well.

Or in the polls.

Related: Andrew Klavan: Things That Don’t Matter When Deciding on Syria.

Plus: The Magical, Mysterious, Disappearing Obama Red Line.