Democrats Pledge to 'Eliminate' Osama ("responsible redeployment of U.S. forces" from Iraq in 2006)

AP on Yahoo ^ | 3/28/06 | Liz Sidoti - ap

[NormsRevenge]

WASHINGTON - Congressional Democrats promise to "eliminate" Osama bin Laden and ensure a "responsible redeployment of U.S. forces" from Iraq in 2006 in an election-year national security policy statement.

In the position paper to be announced Wednesday, Democrats say they will double the number of special forces and add more spies, which they suggest will increase the chances of finding al-Qaida's elusive leader. They do not set a deadline for when all of the 132,000 American troops now in Iraq should be withdrawn.

"We're uniting behind a national security agenda that is tough and smart and will provide the real security George Bush has promised but failed to deliver," Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said in remarks prepared for delivery Wednesday.

His counterpart in the House, Rep. Nancy Pelosi (news, bio, voting record), D-Calif., said the Democrats are offering a new direction — "one that is strong and smart, which understands the challenges America faces in a post 9/11 world, and one that demonstrates that Democrats are the party of real national security."

The latest in a series of party policy statements for 2006, the Democrats' national security platform comes seven months before voters decide who will control the House and Senate and as Democrats seek to cut into the public perception that the Republicans are stronger on national security.

Bush's job approval ratings are in the mid- to high-30s, and Democrats consistently have about a 10-point lead over Republicans when people are asked who they want to see in control of Congress.

With the public skeptical of the Iraq war and Republicans and Democrats alike questioning Bush's war policies, Democrats aim to force Republicans to distance themselves from Bush on Iraq and national security or rubber-stamp what Democrats contend is a failed policy.

"The Democrats are going to take back the security issue," said Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York, the chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

Republicans have vowed not to let that happen. They characterized the Democrats' platform as tough election-year talk that isn't backed up by the party's record.

"This is more of the same from the party that opposes this president's effort to keep our country safe," said Tracey Schmitt, a Republican National Committee spokeswoman. "The bottom line is while this president campaigns against the terrorists, Democrats remain focused on campaigning against this president."

Overall, the Democratic position paper attempts to make the case that the Bush administration's "inadequate planning and incompetent policies have failed to make Americas as safe as we should be."

It covers party policy positions on homeland security, the war on terror, the military, Iraq and energy security, but it contains many of the same proposals Democrats have offered over the past year.

The platform also lacks specific details of how Democrats plan to capture bin Laden, the al-Qaida mastermind who has evaded U.S. forces in the more than four years since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

For months, House and Senate Democrats have tried to craft a comprehensive position on national security, but they have splintered, primarily over Iraq.

Republicans have sought to use that division to their own political advantage, claiming that Democrats simply attack the president and his fellow Republicans without presenting proposals of their own.

[CyberAnt]

Hmmmm?? Their beloved leader (Bubba Clinton) didn't think it was so important to get Osama .. and I didn't see or hear any rukus about Clinton refusing to take Osama when he had the chance - and this was after the WTC 1993 incident when it was pretty obvious Osama was involved.

These people are making a promise they know they cannot keep - and they're hoping the "stupid public" will not remember that promise. Sorry dems .. but that will not fly anymore.

[MNJohnnie]

All slogans and no plans. This is even stupidier then I expected it to be.

[smoothsailing]

I don't mind, this is Free Republic!

[jpl]

But, how do you REALLY feel?

[Killborn]

ROFL! I love that line. :)

Like that, I guess.

[MNJohnnie]

" hate to say it but they will gain traction with this."

Well then you expose yourself as a pseudo Conservative DNC mouthpiece. There no PLAN here. All there is is some vague words and nonsensical slogans. There is NOTHING here. ONLY a dyed in the wool Democrat could think this nonsensical and empty rhetoric would "gain traction". It did NOT work for John Kerry in 2004 to whine endlessly about "not getting Bin Laden", it will not work for these clowns in 2006

[Avenger]

"In the position paper to be announced Wednesday, Democrats say they will double the number of special forces and add more spies, which they suggest will increase the chances of finding al-Qaida's elusive leader."

Osama is a figurehead and little more. It might feel good to catch him but it will do essentially nothing to stem the tide of Islamic terrorism. Now, if he had been caught in the 90's it might have made a difference, but at this point it is pretty meaningless. Clearly the dems are attempting to appeal to the emotions, rather than rational thinking, of Americans. I think I'll pass on the Dem's "Real Security" (TM).

[Avenger]

"In the position paper to be announced Wednesday, Democrats say they will double the number of special forces and add more spies, which they suggest will increase the chances of finding al-Qaida's elusive leader."

Oh damn! Why didn't anyone in the Bush administration think of that? How could they be so stupid? Stupid...or maybe Michael Moore was right.../sarcasm

[Yardstick]

"Bush's job approval ratings are in the mid- to high-30s,"

---

Rasmussen has had Bush in the mid to low 40's.

In fact, yesterday Raz had Bush at 45%.

[Echo Talon]

So let's hear the Dim's whine that goes "if we didn't outsource our offense when we had Osama pinned down at Tora Bora..."

Why didn't Clintotn cruise missle Osama when we were monitoring his cell phone?

[BerniesFriend]

Democrats say they will double the number of special forces

I have never served in the military..but if you "double" the number of "special" troops..would that make them special..aren't they special for the reason that they are the best of the best..maybe someone from a military background could explain better than me..or how about this..this just in from nfl.com..the annual pro bowl roster will go from about 90 to 200..this way we have greater number of great players..does it work that way????? (and no..pro football players are no where near the hard work of our military)

[crushelits]

The demoRATS have a plan!

!!! FINALLY, AFTER ALMOST FIVE YEARS !!!
They have a plan!
They have decided to get Bin Laden?

Wow!

Didn't Clinton try to get Bin Laden too?
Then again, their secret weapon is none other than:
George Clooney and his gang!

[crushelits]

The demoRATS have a plan!

!!! FINALLY, AFTER ALMOST FIVE YEARS !!!
They have a plan!
They have decided to get Bin Laden?

Wow!

Didn't Clinton try to get Bin Laden too?
Then again, their secret weapon is none other than:
George Clooney and his gang!

[Christian4Bush]

re: #60 But, how do you REALLY feel? You stole my thunder!

btw, multiply it by 100x and that is how I feel.

[Christian4Bush]

These Demo-left jacka$$es couldn't hit the floor if they fell on it. So long as the RNC does its job, and the New Media is around to keep the Drive-By Media in check, we should be ok.

That said, I think we better "cowboy up"...this year is going to make 2004 look like a Boy Scout convention.

[Killborn]

Sorry. :P

Glad that we agree. :)

[dogcaller]

What a stinking pile...the Democrats are the reason we have no human intelligence capability. Between Senator Frank Church, Jimmy Crater and Slick, they axed all our assets and made the methods illegal.

[hsalaw]

Yeah right. Wonder how the anti-war crowd is going to take this.

I'm not brave enough to go to the DUmmies and check out the ranting and raving, but maybe someone else is.

[SR 50]

ping

[nutmeg]

*barf alert* ping!

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