Yesterday, President Bush and Congress completed a set of totally useless symbolic political dance steps when Bush vetoed legislation to pull U.S. troops out of Iraq.

In the second veto of his presidency, Bush rejected Congress' proposal that would have required troops to start withdrawing from Iraq in October with a complete pullout achieved six months later, according to an AP article. The veto fell on the anniversary of another infamous moment of ceremonious hubris from the Bush administration, four years to the day since Bush's "Mission Accomplished" speech in which he declared victory.

"The president has put our troops in the middle of a civil war," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. "Reality on the ground proves what we all know: A change of course is needed," he continued.

What Bush and Congress also appear to know and embrace is the fact that the Iraq war has turned into America's premier domestic issue for debate. What they do not appear to know, disturbingly, is that they have totally disregarded the fact that the Iraq war is very much an issue of international and not domestic politics.

Was Iraq's administration given a chance to comment on the fact that the only military capable of sustaining stability would have been on its way out if this bill passed? Were Iraq's neighbors, teeming with refugees, given the opportunity to express their suggestions?

Nancy Pelosi was on the right track last month when she took initiative and engaged with politicians in the Middle East about the issues the region faces. Congress and the Bush administration need to turn their heads and futile efforts away from D.C. and towards Baghdad.