EDITORIAL A PRINCIPLED STAND CONGRESSMAN BERMAN SHOWS COURAGE IN IRAQ VOTE.

GIVE Rep. Howard Berman credit. In a Congress filled with partisans who too often let polls or party chieftains tell them what to do, the Van Nuys Democrat voted his conscience -- and the best interest of the country -- on the biggest issue of the day, the war in Iraq.

Congress spent two days last week rehashing the same old Iraq debate we've had for three years. Democrats bemoaned the woeful state of the war; Republicans accused them of cowardice. Then the GOP called for a vote.

The bill was purely symbolic -- a nonbinding resolution demanding that no timeline be set for American withdrawal from Iraq.

And it was, to be sure, an act of cheap Republican gamesmanship, designed to force Democrats to choose between their anti-war base and the majority of Americans who feel that though entering the war might have been a mistake, pulling out prematurely would be an even bigger one.

Still, the measure had some value. It signaled to the Iraqis that we won't abandon them soon, and so they should continue the hard work of stabilizing their country. It also sent a message to terrorist insurgents that they can't hope to wait us out, then turn Iraq into the new center of international terrorism.

But perhaps more important, the measure forced members of Congress not just to complain, but to take a stand for what they think should be done.

And that's exactly what Berman did.

Berman was the only local representative, Democrat or Republican, to break party rank. He voted for the resolution and against a fixed timetable for leaving Iraq.

The position was consistent. Berman had voted for the 2002 legislation authorizing the use of force in Iraq. And even though the war has been badly bungled, Berman understands that the best plan of action available -- no matter how unseemly -- is to see it through. He did what seemed right, even if it hurt him politically by voting with members of the other party.

Too bad the Valley's other congressman, Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Sherman Oaks, lacked the same courage. Sherman originally voted for the war, too, but took no stand -- and voted ``present'' on last week's vote.

Apparently Sherman would rather not address what the U.S. should do next in Iraq -- an option the country doesn't have.