When legislators let you down, there is blowback. I don't fault any of the hard working, dedicated activists who have announced they're quitting. Hearts can only run on empty for so long. These people all have hearts that are so big... it's tough when the return is so rancid, as in the case of the Iraq funding vote.
I expect more disgusted, discouraged people will also quit. The Dems, even without the votes to pass legislation in the senate, could have blocked funding in the house. But they were afraid of being labeled, that a principled stand against the war would be spun by right wingers as betraying the troops-- spun by the people who actually ARE betraying the troops.
The dems in the senate and the house who voted for the funding were cowards. Add the F word if you like, to more accurately understand my feelings on this.
It's not going to go smoothly. Some will fall along the way. Some will fall and rest, then get up and get back in the fight.
A normal part of the hero's journey is to get beaten so bad you are close to death. Then, you take some time to reciver, to re-assess your resources and allies, to rebuild your strength. You search within yourself to find further integration of your masculine and feminine energies and you access your higher self. (read about the hero's journey in Joseph Campbell's Hero with a thousand faces) and then you get back on the path.
So... don't give up, get even. Keep going There are more dragons to slay. We will prevail, but the price will be high.