If President Bush had any doubts that the tide is turning against the war in Iraq, he need look no further than a resolution passed by the GOP-controlled Senate this week that demands a strategy for withdrawal of U.S. forces.

The resolution is nonbinding and does not go as far as some Democrats — including Hawai'i Rep. Neil Abercrombie in the House — would want in that there is no specific timeline for withdrawal.

Clearly a timetable is not the right move. But the resolution makes sense because, if it is honored, the American people would have a clearer idea of why U.S. forces are in Iraq and when they can expect to exit.

In addition, the resolution signals strong determination by Congress to take back some authority regarding this war by insisting on (a) a clear statement of objectives in Iraq and (b) a strategy to achieve those objectives.

Both are sensible suggestions, which might work to repair confidence in the effort.

The message: The president's time is running out.

The White House would do well to listen to this strong bi-partisan signal from the Senate.

Even though the vote had a lot to do with politics back home, it is a clear sign that senators are listening to public sentiment.

In Japan, Bush reacted in a way that suggests he has yet to get the point. "I appreciated the fact that the Senate rejected an amendment that would have taken our troops out of Iraq before the mission is complete," he said. This was in reference to Democratic efforts to set a specific date for withdrawal.

In fact, the question posed was: When will the White House consider the mission "complete" and by what standards will we recognize that moment?

The push for a withdrawal date is far from over. This week Abercrombie and other House Democrats began circulating a petition demanding a floor vote on Abercrombie's resolution calling for the start of withdrawal no later than Oct. 1 of next year.

The problem with such a specific date is that it would encourage insurgents to sit back and wait for U.S. troops to go, at which time they would go back to their work with a fury. Simply put: It's a bad idea.

But Bush should recognize that unless his administration sets out specific objectives in Iraq and specific ways to measure progress toward those objectives, opposition to the war and pressure for an arbitrary end date will only continue to grow.