In response to insulting mischaracterizations of their opposing positions, Democrats should demand satisfaction. They should call out Rove or Frist or any of this bunch to meet them at the field of honor, meaning a real debate.

J. McCutchen "JmacSF"

San Francisco. CA

Excellent.  Bravo!

The Democratic Party needs to go on the offensive on National Security. They need to scoff at the slogans hurled at them and tell the truth because the American people who do not know it already, mostly suspect that Bush is losing the War on Terror and in Afghanistan and has lost the war on Iraq handing a golden opportunity to Iran free of charge.

This has all transpired as thanks to a cabal of incredibly incompetent, corrupt and deceitful men with an even more incredible lust for power who have been running the US into the Greatest Strategic Disaster in its history.

 This is not good news.  This is hard to hear. But the truth often is.

Cross-post Robert Borosage..same advice stated more eloquently:

 

Had Enough?By Robert L. BorosageThe Gingrich strategy from 1994 should inform the Democratic playbook in 2006. ...

5.  A Real Security Plan for America. Democratic strategists all intone the mantra that the party has to be "strong on security". But the overwhelming base of Democratic voters opposes the war in Iraq, and has no desire to police the world. This often leaves Democrats tongue-tied or divided. And that is why, despite growing public disenchantment with the Iraq debacle, the White House will make it a centerpiece of the fall elections: "They want to cut and run; that will hand al Qaeda a victory and provide them with a base for terror."

Many Democrats would prefer to duck: It's the president's problem; he should present us with a plan to win. No one really expects a legislator to provide the solution. But ducking is only likely to make Democrats look weak and irresponsible, playing politics with a basic security issue. Nor are the mock-tough postures once in vogue on the right of the party - urging more troops for Iraq or smarter tactics - likely to ring true given the growing civil stifle in Iraq.

Democratic candidates would be well-advised to level with Americans about the reality. There are no good choices. Withdrawing could leave a divided Iraq enmeshed in bloody civil strife. But staying only involves our soldiers in that strife. And it weakens America. It isolates us from our allies, provides al Qaeda with a training ground and a recruiting boon, rouses suspicion and hatred across the Moslem world, and distracts us from the real war on terror. We freed Iraqis of a brutal dictator, now we need to put Iraqis on notice that it is time for them to take responsibility and for our troops to come home over the course of the next year. By committing to keep them there until 2009, the president gives the Iraqis no incentive to step up. Accompany this with a real security agenda reviving collective alliances to hunt down the fanatics dedicated to global terrorism; common-sense measures to protect America, including inspecting all containers coming into our ports and demanding security plans for dangerous chemical and biological factories; and a pledge to appoint competent leaders to critical posts, not callow cronies who are not up to the task. A position stated with conviction will do much better than one that looks like it is poll driven.

Gettysburg reflects the plight of the GOP
Sen Santorum of PA is behind ~ 18 points in his race. He magically "finds" a report that "documents" that Iraq had WMD. the fact that these were ineffective (old) materials, does not matter. Truth does not matter to the GOP. When you cite facts they will say you are whining.
The GOP is like the 3 year old who when told to stop whining by another toddler initiates the following
GOP "Am not whining, you're whining,
DEM "Am Not"
GOP "Are too
DEM "Am not"
GOP "Are too"
Democrats have to be the adults (not the toddler) in this situation and realize the GOP toddler needs a time out.
Hopefully November 2006 and 2008 will provide the proper punishment

Keep in mind: the house races will be decided one district at a time. That explains the handful of Democrats who peeled off from the majority on the Levin bill. They don't want to risk being run over by the RNC, a very real possibility.

Karl Rove is more than a master of spin, much more. He's a mage, and that means he's got his caliper out. One race at a time. In vulnerable, but still-in-play districts, his message can be refined and sharpened to suit local preferences and prejudices.

Folks, whatever our superiority nationally, the prize is majority in the House. We need a general more than ever if we're going to win. Otherwise all our advantages going into battle will be nullified if we're outflanked by superior tactics. Think tactics, folks, not righteousness. Bush corners that market, if only in appearance. We can't beat him at his own (and Rove's) own game. We've got to play our game, smart and canny.

Wake up Paul, wake up, dear readers. "We're in the army now." Discipline, political intelligence, tactics, grit. We won't succeed without them.

J. McCutchen "JmacSF"

San Francisco. CA

Cole

53% of Americans want a timetable for a phased withdrawal of troops from Iraq. How unrepresentative the Senate is is demonstrated by the lack of majority there for any sort of withdrawal from Iraq.

The Senate rejected the withdrawal plans put forward by the Democrats. The two parties have now drawn a clear distinction on Iraq between themselves on the basis of which voters will decide in November. The Democratic plan, of gradual withdrawal, will be even more popular in November than it is now. There is no sign of progress in Iraq. The killings go on daily. And the Iraqi parliametary committees have not been able to choose chairmen because they are wrangling over sectarian candidates.

And if you think things are bad now in Iraq. Wait a month or two.

Indeed.  This entire debate recalls the scene in Animal House where Otter consoles Flounder after letting his brother's car get trashed on a road trip:  "You fucked up.  You trusted us!"

Republican Dodge #6: When all else fails, bring up Clinton.

J. McCutchen "JmacSF"

San Francisco. CA

Kick ass, take names...I might even some money to Rahm Emanuel after this showed up in my inbox this AM

ACT UP FIGHT BACK!

Dear John,

Make Your Matched Contribution
for a Democratic Majority

To all the Republicans who sit in their air-conditioned offices and talk of the courage it takes for them to keep young kids in harm's way - I say enough. Karl Rove talking about "cutting and running" while he sits on his big, fat backside-saying "stay the course." I say enough! That's not a plan! We've got to have a new direction, and it's clear we need more Democrats in Congress to get that done.

No matter how obvious the mistakes in Iraq become, or how many Americans get fed up, Republicans in Congress and the White House will label you a traitor to your country if you stand up and question them.

I'm not naïve enough to think it won't be an issue in the election year but accusing people of being unpatriotic cheats good Americans out of any chance for a real resolution to the mess in Iraq. And while this issue of war is neither a Democratic nor a Republican one, the need for new leadership in the House is clearly an issue.

While the Republicans have been busy name calling, the situation in Iraq has only gotten worse. The insurgency has grown exponentially. IED attacks, where our troops are sitting ducks for an enemy they can't even see, have increased steadily. And the patience of the American people for this flawed policy is running out.

We need to put an end to these outrageous attacks on people who disagree with Bush and his Rubber Stamp Republican Congress's "sit and watch" plan for Iraq. My colleagues in the House Democratic leadership are so committed to winning a Democratic majority that they have offered to match all contributions that come in from before midnight on June 30th.

With a Democratic majority, we would have an honest debate about the war. The American people's concerns and opposition would be recognized.

Double Your Impact Now With a Matched Gift and Help Win a Democratic Majority.

Last week, during the House floor debate, I hoped the Republicans would have realized that the majority of the American people do not support this war. I hoped that they would have recognized that the American people need more from their government than a Republican Congress that asks no questions and demands no answers. But that didn't happen, and it's clear we need a Democratic majority to chart a new course.

When I offered a concrete plan to get our troops out of harm's way, where they have become the target, I didn't expect every member of Congress or every candidate to agree with my specific proposal in this debate. But I did expect them to acknowledge that there is more to be done than sitting and watching.

Double Your Impact Now With a Matched Gift and Help Win a Democratic Majority.

The single most important thing you can do right now as a supporter of the DCCC is make a contribution.

Thank you for all your help, it's so important.

Sincerely,

Jack Murtha
Member of Congress, Pennsylvania's 12th District

 

Gettysburg
Actually I'm replying because your response points out the babbling that comes from your party. As I pointed out the GOP is not in the "facts" business.
Your statement:
"Oh that's right, the Democrats NEVER lie. I forgot. My mistake."
Shows a lack of attention to detail and the FACT that I specifically drew an arrow from the special prosecutor to the conclusion that Clinton LIED about his adultery.
If you had paid attention to the conclusion, it was that NO ONE had died because of the lie.
You would also realize that I said the war had resulted in 2500+ US deaths, thus the difference in consequences.
Let me note the following:
I believe that single party government is BAD
I believe that the GOP, which in essence does not believe that government is worthwhile for much more than defense, has made their belief reality by being in charge of the Presidency and Congress.
I will provide the following examples
1) Too few troops on the ground in the initial phase of the Iraq war so that full control of the country could not be acheived-Ridiculing a general who suggested more troops were needed.
The true lack of an exit strategy.
2) The pathetic federal response to Katrinia making or country look like a third world entity-no one at the Texas White House had access to the internet, TV, newspapers or radio during the initial phase. The sight of US citizens suffering and dying before our eyes with a clueless President in charge is unforgiveable. The true level of incompetence is not known by most of the public because of the short attention span of MSM. Hospitals and the NOLA fire department for example remain decimated.
3) Attempting to use Gays for political gain to propose a Constitutional ANTI_GAY marriage amendment that won't be ratified, while destroying STRAIGHT middle class families by outsourcing jobs, shifting tax breaks to the wealthy, etc,. Thus making the GOP the "anti-family values" party.
4) Blocking stem cell research which MAY lead to significant breakthroughs in diabetes, spinal cord injuries (recent data on reversing traumatic paralysis in a murine (mouse) model, etc.
5) Putting out pseudo-scientists and non- scientists to deny global warming. Placing political operatives in scientific agencies to block scientific reports detailing global warming from being published
6) Blocking OTC contraceptive methods felt safe by professional agencies and FDA panels at the whims of a GOP appointee (the drug has risks but less than or equal to those associated with pregancy itself).
I could go on but given your lack of attention to detail, it's not worth it.
The GOP is in charge of the Presidency and Congress. If you take credit for the "booming economy" you have to take reesponsibility for the above, BUT YOU WON'T you will always have some excuse.
But I will finish by stating that I no longer really care about your opinion as you did not pay attention to the FACT concerning Clinton used in my response to your post.
Babble away. You're almost as entertaining as a Three Stooges skit, and definitely possess Moe's
ablity to analyze a complex situation.

rmrd0000

You are entitled to your opinions and I am entitled to mine. My point in bringing up Clinton in the first place was that whichever party occupies the White House is corrupt. True the Bush administration launched a war but you seem to be missing the real point of that effort. It has nothing to do with spreading democracy or fighting terrorists. If you believe those GOP talking points arguments then you are gullible. The Iraq War is about economics. I don't particularly care if you and all the other leftists (defeatists) at this site feel Bush has destroyed alliances, made America more vulnerable (from what?), or failed the Middle Class. These accusations are extraordinarily deceiving if not altogether untrue.

I don't claim, nor have I ever, that Bush is a great or even a very good president. He's not. But what I am saying is that the level of pessimism and defeatism (not to mention paranoia) that has come to invade the Democratic Party like the ebola virus is every bit as dangerous to the future America as what they claim Bush is doing. America will be fine. If the average American were to read most bloggers at this site they would conclude that Bush has managed to destroy in less than 6 years what we have built for the last 230 some odd years...

Not very convincing; at least to anyne who is objective.