The Upper Left Eight.

WASHINGTON -- All eight Democrats from Washington's congressional delegation said they oppose the increase of U.S. troops in Iraq outlined by President Bush Wednesday night and said they'll likely support a nonbinding resolution against the plan.

A sampling...

Rep. Norm Dicks: "This escalation is absolutely the wrong way to go. I have this gut instinct that this is the start of the end."

Rep. Jay Inslee: "We have to take every step we can, including using the constitutional power of the purse, to deny the president the power to go off on this half-cocked escalation.

Rep. Rick Larsen: "The president ought to be telling the American people that we reached a plateau and are going to work our way down."

Senator Patty Murray: "Despite the warnings of his top generals, and the message sent by the American people, the president has again decided to go it alone."

And the other three?

Rep. Cathy McMorris, R-Spokane, said Bush's proposal "is worth our consideration," and Rep. Doc Hastings, R-Pasco, said he was encouraged by the new plan.

Rep. Dave Reichert, R-Auburn, said through a spokeswoman that he wasn't available to comment Wednesday.

No doubt about it...