California Nears 300 Dead in Iraq War

The death toll for California soldiers is approaching 300 in Iraq. Click here for a casualty count by states. California has sacrificed more soldiers in Iraq than any other state, followed by Texas.

As the grim milestone approaches, Blogswarm.com wonders about Rep. Ellen Tauscher (D-Calif.), chairwoman of the moderate New Democrat Network, and her early support for the war: "The problem is that Tauscher marginalized and ignored the voices who have since been proven correct. ... In an article covering her war vote in February of 2003, Ellen Tauscher shrugged off the criticism by saying, 'I sleep fine at night.' After the 300th Californian makes the ultimate sacrifice, will she still sleep fine at night?"

UPDATE: But Katie Merrill, Tauscher's former campaign manager, says the "netroots" should lay off Tauscher because she's a solid Dem who supports gay marriage, abortion rights, gun control, environmental protection and unions. "Tauscher is only the first target of what will be many Dems on the House-cleaning list of the netroots. In fact, if the netroots are actually consistent in their logic, they will be forced to target a few of our newly elected Freshman for defeat. If they go down this path, the Democratic party is in for a world of hurt in 2008."

In the photo above, the flag covering the casket of California National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Rudy A. Salcido is folded for presentation to his widow during a memorial service for him at the Riverside National Cemetery on Nov. 21 in Riverside. Salcido, assigned to the Army National Guard's 1114th Transportation Company, was killed on Nov. 9 by an improvised explosive device in Baghdad.

(Photo: David McNew / Getty Images)