The battle was over an extra $163 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as Republicans decided to basically sit out the vote on the money, calling the bluff of Democrats on whether they would support the war.

Most Democrats refused, so the money lost 149-141, with 132 Republicans voting "Present."

Both sides blamed the other for the result.

"Democrats Block Funding For American Troops In Iraq and Afghanistan" blared the news release from House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH.)

"House Democrats claim they strongly support the troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, but when the time came to prove it today on the House floor, they were exposed for all of America to see," said Boehner.

On the other side, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) blasted Republicans for sitting out the vote, saying they showed their true colors.

"They failed to take a stand.  And, I can only speculate as to how they intend to explain that to their constituents back home," Hoyer shot back.

I would say most Americans were probably more worried about why traffic was moving slowly on the way home or who was going to win American Idol.

But in the trenches on Capitol Hill, there is a lot of hand-to-hand combat going on these days, as both parties angle for advantage in this election year.

The war funding bill approved by the House does include a $51 billion plan to expand educational benefits for veterans under the GI bill, paid for with higher taxes on those earning over $500,000 per year.

That provision is likely to be stripped out in the Senate, while Senators are also expected to add back money for the military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

President Bush had wanted the money approved by the time lawmakers take a Memorial Day break, but I'm not sure that's going to happen.

The money will get approved, but the political machinations relating to Iraq aren't going away anytime soon.