Democratic House Majority Whip James Clyburn says that a positive report on the Iraq “surge” from General Petraeus would be “a problem for us.”

Not “good news for the country”— a “problem.”

Clyburn noted that Petraeus carries significant weight among the 47 members of the Blue Dog caucus in the House, a group of moderate to conservative Democrats. Without their support, he said, Democratic leaders would find it virtually impossible to pass legislation setting a timetable for withdrawal.

“I think there would be enough support in that group to want to stay the course and if the Republicans were to stay united as they have been, then it would be a problem for us,” Clyburn said.

(Hat tip: LGF readers.)