E.J. Dionne: Message to Democrats, "Buck up!"

[flpoljunkie]

Here's a bet on the triumph of spin. Politicians, especially Democrats, will be discouraged from saying what they really believe about Iraq for fear of offending "swing voters." Slogans about "victory" and "defeatism" will be thrown around promiscuously.

The administration's defenders have enjoyed short-term political success by turning attention away from President Bush's Iraq policies and toward divisions in the Democratic Party on the subject. The Republicans particularly enjoy assailing Democrats who have called for the rapid withdrawal of American troops.

The neat summary of the new Republican home-front offensive was the tag line on a Republican National Committee ad: "Our country is at war. Our soldiers are watching and our enemies are too. Message to Democrats: Retreat and Defeat is not an option." Republican House Speaker Dennis Hastert helpfully explained: "The Democratic Party sides with those who wish to surrender."

Attacks of this sort on Democrats are effective because Democrats help make them so. Democrats are so obsessed with not looking "weak" on defense that they end up making themselves look weak, period, by the way they respond to Republican attacks on their alleged weakness. Oh my gosh, many Democrats say, we can't associate ourselves with the likes of Howard Dean or Nancy Pelosi, the House Democratic leader who recently called for a troop withdrawal within six months. Let's knife them before Karl Rove gets around to knifing us. Talk about a recipe for retreat and defeat.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/12/AR2005121201264_pf.html

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

1. Integrity is the most looked up web dictionary word for a reason.

Stick to your guns, Dems. If it's the right thing to do, which it is, then don't buckle because of perceived political expedience.

Dems, do the right thing! MKJ

:patriot:

[ugarte]

2. Worst of both worlds

Out of power and able to offer no alternative.

[second edition]

3. The Dem's look pathetic when they don't stick together and

support one another, at least on the surface. Kerry,Murtha,Dean and several others have spoken up and then they are not supported when the attacks start rolling in. By not supporting those that do speak out, it makes the bold Dem's look wrong and the whole party weak. I am honestly tired of the rest of the lot watching poll numbers and taking a wait and see attitude. We have been there and done that. Now is the time to pick a position and defend it. I really don't want to hear that they are worried abut being reelected. Actually, there inability to choose a side and defend that position makes me NOT want to vote for them. I don't know, sometimes it seems we have a long way to go as a party. Where is the team work? It seems it's every person for themselves.

[yurbud]

4. The correct way to dissent on this is with a hard edge

Our sons and daughters are dying because the president lied so his friends could make money on Iraq's oil, rebuilding contracts, weapons contracts, and even privatization of the mess halls that serve our soldiers food.

Those who give up some of their life and freedom to defend our country should be repaid by only being sent into harm's way when the United States is under attack or facing a clear threat, not to advance some right wing think tank fantasy of a global empire built on control of oil.

[beltanefauve]

5. Has Lieberman

read this? He could sure use it!

Attacks of this sort on Democrats are effective because Democrats help make them so. Democrats are so obsessed with not looking "weak" on defense that they end up making themselves look weak, period, by the way they respond to Republican attacks on their alleged weakness. Oh my gosh, many Democrats say, we can't associate ourselves with the likes of Howard Dean or Nancy Pelosi, the House Democratic leader who recently called for a troop withdrawal within six months. Let's knife them before Karl Rove gets around to knifing us. Talk about a recipe for retreat and defeat.