Joe Klein at TIME.com has an insightful and timely piece in response to a recent letter from House minority leader Nancy Pelosi (D — CA) regarding the NSA.
Klein’s conclusion is spot-on:
…until the Democrats make clear that they will err on the side of aggressiveness in the war against al-Qaeda, they will probably not regain the majority in Congress or the country.
Read the entire thing.
I’m all for erring on the side of aggressiveness- but not at the expense of the things we stand for, thanks. Personally, I think we can be aggressive against terrorism without torturing people, trashing the Constitution, or creating havens for terrorists in formerly secular Mid-East nations.
The Dems have a legit shot at regaining some ground, but they do have to change the perception that the party is in bed with the far left. Republicans ate them alive by making them sound like the Michael Moore Party. Clinton managed to get elected twice by sounding like a moderate on issues and I think things are ripe for the Dems again, if they choose to do it. Republicans are doing a good job on making the Dems sound like the “Cut and Run” party in regards to the war, but I think the average Joe, who may or may not agree on why we went to war, does not want America to look weak in the eyes of the world. Personally I want to see our troops home asap, but not until they succeed in their mission. Our troops must return to a country that appreciates them and the amazing job they are doing over there.
I think Dick Morris has the situation assessed pretty well. The democrat party doesn’t focus on the areas where they are winning in terms of public opinion. Instead, their mouthpieces dwell on the areas where they are losing (terrorism, Iraq, abortion/social issues, economy) . The Republicans, on the other hand, are ignoring many issues the public really wants changed (healthcare, illegal immigration, some environmental issues, too many tax breaks for the super rich, deficits).
I am not as Republican as I used to be but I’m far from being a card carrying Democrat.
So, who can deliver on my wish list above?
Republicans are doing a good job on making the Dems sound like the “Cut and Run†party in regards to the war,
A fact that will make the impending draw downs very interesting politically. Can George Bush thread the needle by bringing down troop levels without looking like a hypocritical ‘coward’.
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No, thank you. We will regain the Congress, and the presidency in ‘08, specifically because the Republicans are so eager to err.
Left by Dan on January 9th, 2006 at 12:08 pm