The already ferocious partisan battle over Iraq escalated Tuesday as Vice President Dick Cheney labeled Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid a defeatist who is using the war for political gain.

“Some Democratic leaders seem to believe that blind opposition to the new strategy in Iraq is good politics. Senator Reid himself has said that the war in Iraq will bring his party more seats in the next election,” Cheney said.

At the center of the feud is Democratic legislation – which President Bush vowed again Tuesday to veto – that calls for withdrawing troops from Iraq starting next year. The bickering increased Monday when Reid accused Bush of being “in denial” over Iraq.

“What’s most troubling about (Reid’s Monday) comments is his defeatism,” Cheney said.

“Indeed, last week, he said the war is already lost, and the timetable legislation that he is now pursuing would guarantee defeat,” Cheney said.