When Democrats took control of Congress in January, they knew their thin majority was in for a fight with Republicans.

But lately, the Democrats have found themselves under attack from within their own ranks as much as from the opposition party.

Liberal voters are accusing the Democrats of being ineffectual and of turning their back on promised reforms.

Anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan is threatening to run against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

After seven years of ridiculing President Bush, liberal comedian Jon Stewart has turned his sarcasm toward Democrats. He recently mocked the Senate's all-night debate on Iraq and the Democrats' inability to pass even weak-kneed resolutions, never mind end the war.

Now polls show that the approval rating on Congress has slipped below even Bush's near record lows.

U.S. Rep. James McGovern, D-Worcester, said he understands the displeasure and attributes it to the Democrat's inability to end the war.

"The frustration from a lot of the Democratic base on the war is understandable. I'm frustrated too. People say to me 'When are you going to end this war?' I tell them 'I'm trying,' " he said.

The problem, he claims, is that Democrats have too small a majority to force a change in policy and start a withdrawal from Iraq.

In the Senate, which requires 60 votes to end debate and bring a measure to the floor, Democrats do not have enough votes on procedural moves to force votes on bills.

Although Iraq is by far the overriding issue in the country, there are other matters Democrats have failed to address that is causing rumblings from their supporters.

Special interests still lord over Congress and lobbyists are as powerful as ever.

Votes were being bought for a Farm Bill that seems to give government subsidies to anyone with a tomato garden.

Promises to govern in a more open and democratic way are all but forgotten and efforts to reform immigration laws have been a complete failure. Partisan fighting has reached obscene levels.

McGovern said Democrats have had some successes.

The federal minimum wage has been increased and more improvements are on the way.

He said a student aid bill is about to get final approval that will lower the cost of paying for college.

The anti-terrorism recommendations made by the 9/11 commission were approved 89-4 by the Senate Thursday and the House overwhelmingly approved them Friday.

Next week, McGovern said, Congress will vote on a bill to extend health care coverage to children who do not have insurance.

But, the war is still the dominate issue.

While there is a consensus that the war is unpopular, there is no consensus on what to do about it. Americans and Congress are spilt on whether to withdraw, scale back or stay the course.

Until Democrats address the war in an effective way, they will continue to be a disappointment to supporters and suffer at the polls.

JIM HAND covers politics for The Sun Chronicle. His commentaries appear in this space on Saturdays. Contact him at 508-236-0399 or at jhand@thesunchronicle.com.