Democrats Fear Backlash at Polls for Antiwar Remarks

The Washington Post ^ | December 7, 2005 | Jim VandeHei and Shalaigh Murray

[katieanna]

Strong antiwar comments in recent days by House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean have opened anew a party rift over Iraq, with some lawmakers warning that the leaders' rhetorical blasts could harm efforts to win control of Congress next year. Several Democrats joined President Bush yesterday in rebuking Dean's declaration to a San Antonio radio station Monday that "the idea that we're going to win the war in Iraq is an idea which is just plain wrong." The critics said that comment could reinforce popular perceptions that the party is weak on military matters and divert attention from the president's growing political problems on the war and other issues. "Dean's take on Iraq makes even less sense than the scream in Iowa: Both are uninformed and unhelpful," said Rep. Jim Marshall (D-Ga.), recalling Dean's famous election-night roar after stumbling in Iowa during his 2004 presidential bid.

[WorkingClassFilth]

You're correct. I regret that any damage is done to our military's morale, but I think that might also harden them to the facts of the RAT's. Treason needs to be highlighted and the military needs to know where their enemies lie. Soldiers that don't know about RAT sedition and anti-military virulence have got to be a small fraction of the total and I think it is probably time they were informed.

I would say that the best thing loyal Americans and the Republicans could do in this situation is to improve and expand support for the troops. Politically, I think the Pubbies should improve the VA system and pay for serving military. At home, we should all adopt military families and take efforts to ensure that they are remembered and cared for in the time of their trials. Through this method, the contrast between Parties is heightened and permanent damage can be deeply inflicted on the RAT's while honoring the military as it should be.

Do not forget the attempts by Sen. Wellstone to ingratiate himself with veterans. The female krinton has tried the same tack but with less success since one needs to be human to have human empathy. We ought to never have let the RAT's onto conservative turf in any form where support for the military is concerned. Lessening our opposition through moderating their hate and stridency is an equal mistake - IMO.

[LucyJo]

While the party is divided over the specifics of Iraq policy, most Democratic legislators are slowly coalescing around a political plan, according to lawmakers and party operatives. This would involve setting a broad time frame for drawing down U.S. troops, starting with National Guard and reserve units, internationalizing the reconstruction effort, and blaming Bush for misleading the country into a war without a victory plan.

They mean they will watch events closely to determine when successes of the mission are being accomplished, and jump in to present portions of "their policy" so as to claim credit for those successess, while blaming the President, and the Administration, for getting us into this "quagmire" in the first place. That way they think they've covered their rears and, like always, claim credit for what works, and cast blame for what doesn't work - even, and especially, if their actions have caused some things to not work.

[mwl1]

Agreed. Let the radical RATS keep talking. They are digging a sound bite disaster for themselves for 2006.

[Soul Seeker]

If they are so worried, why don't they take action?

Remove Howard Dean.

Remove Pelosi as speaker.

Censure Kerry.

Can't have it both ways Dems. This denouncement after the fect is meaningless. You are going to have to take concrete action against them for these statements to get any traction of not being a part of the problem.

[sageb1]

"Wish you could research Congressional Report put out in 1960's. I don't know how to google or lexus nexus. It was the CHURCH COMMISSION CONGRESSIONAL REPORT ON COMMUNIST INFILTRATION OF AMERICA. If someone could find this they would be amazed at how many of these points have taken fruition in the last 40 years. if any body finds this please send e-mail to centaur378@yahoo.com"

Give it a day or two. Someone posts that at least once a week. It'll show up here again soon.

[Coop]

I certainly see your points, although I don't necessarily agree that firing Dean will moderate the left's anti-military stance. IMHO it will cause wails and shrieks nationwide and may force more Democrats who have been hiding in the shadows to take a stand - are you with us or against us?

[sageb1]

"We ought to never have let the RAT's onto conservative turf in any form where support for the military is concerned. Lessening our opposition through moderating their hate and stridency is an equal mistake - IMO."

Well said. Which is why I would caution all FReepers to not allow Lieberman to fool you.

[popdonnelly]

This article advances the argument that Dean and Pelosi don't represent the Democratic Party. But as a matter of fact, they do. I'm sure the Democrats in Congress get bombarded every day with anti-war calls, letters, and e-mails from their fellow Democrats back home. I'm also sure that the social circles they move around in are anti-war.

[Great Caesars Ghost]

Senator Kerry saying that American soldiers spend their time terrorizing children

That line was a stunner in and of itself, but the coda was even better: "The Iraqis should be doing that themselves."

[Element187]

HAHAHA you think?? of course its going to have some backlash.
democrats get the 'duh' award for the year.

[Great Caesars Ghost]

house democrat leaders were going to stop their party from voicing a position on the war because it would be politically damaging to do so.

How in the heck are they going to do that? They can't take an opportunity to keep their mouths shut themselves.

[popdonnelly]

"Roll Call this week included a statement that house democrat leaders were going to stop their party from voicing a position on the war because it would be politically damaging to do so."

What about Pelosi? Is she going to stop herself from voicing a position?

[Soul Seeker]

Yeah, and that's part of their problem.

They only give a damn about the politics. Notice they don't state these actions are unAmerican. Helpful to the terrorists. Hurt our attempts to win this war and protect our citizens. It's about politics.

Pelosi spokesman Brendan Daly said that while Pelosi estimates more than half of House Democrats favor a speedy withdrawal, she will lobby members in today's meeting against adopting this as a caucus position.

As natural, she won't put her vote where her mouth is. Though at least they are admitting why they voted 403-3 now. They don't want an officially split caucus on the war that hurts the conservative/swing districts/states Dems represent.

[FlipWilson]

This is impossible!!! The dems in trouble!!! No way, the WaPo has assured me that it is ONLY Republicans and the "Culture of Corruption" that are capable of being in trouble at the polls in 2006. /sarcasm

What is happening now was predictable. The dems put themselves out on the National Security limb all summer long starting with Mother Sheehan (only interrupted by Katrina). After Katrina, they returned to that limb, yet the President did nothing. Naturally, since the dems were the only one's speaking on the subject, they gained some traction, but they also climbed further and further out on that limb.

Bam, the President finally engages them and within a month, that limb is being sawed off. Rather than jumping off of it, Howie Dean (the gift that keeps on giving) climbs further out and takes Pelosi with him. This is priceless and why I just don't buy the doom and gloom 2006 election predictions (this far out from the election).

P.S. look for the dems to return to Katrina. The MSM has already tipped it off as they are starting to run Katrina stories. I just hope the White House has figured out that the MSM is leading the dems by the nose as to what the "Bush Sucks" topic de jour will be and not vice-a-versa.

[popdonnelly]

"critics said that comment could reinforce popular perceptions that the party is weak on military matters"

Only for the last thirty years or so.

[Great Caesars Ghost]

I think I heard on TV this morning that today is Elian's birthday and so it's a Cuban national holiday. I wonder if he has been taught to hate America.

[OpusatFR]

I'm not in love with this administration, but I sure won't vote for the other morons. The stupid party v. the moron party. Not much of a choice there......

Somebody better put Dean on some walloping big doses of psychotropics because the guy's deranged. If appealing to the nutcases in the democrat party is the biggest draw they have, I'll pass....

[Great Caesars Ghost]

It's nice from a selfish, political perspective to watch this jerk inflict harm on the liberal movement and Dem party.

It is difficult to take the hits and to know that these kinds of remarks are getting our troops killed every day, and to know that the ability to draw down that they are screaming about would have happened already if not for their sedition. But we applaud, mostly in black humor, because we know that it hastens our day of victory over the treasonous, communist vermin who have infested our government since the end of World War II. This has been an epic struggle for the control of the soul of America, and there is a chance we will see victory in our lifetimes. There is a chance we will lose too, so keep fighting the power.

[WorkingClassFilth]

I think that what you say is probably a logical outcome insofar as internal lines are drawn in the RAT camp. Total disintegration is a worthwhile goal, but alienation from the public should precede the collapse of the Party. Allowing some degree of public support (albeit ignorant support) would provide a reorganized faction that comes out of the RAT internecine warfare to have a smoother re-entry into the public stage. In my view, any deformed monster that emerges from the ashes of the RAT conflagration should be inundated with vitriol and hate from the outraged public quarter. In that way, the RAT monster, should it survive, is driven into the wilderness. In effect, this method provides a defense on multiple levels and, like RAID, keeps on killing long after it is applied.

[WorkingClassFilth]

I agree. I didn't fall in love with Joe last week like so many Republicans. For my money, I would push Joe to deepen his severance from his Party affiliation through any number of measures that could emphasise his new 'convictions' while at the same time helping to solidify or expand conservative control. If he doesn't want to put his 'convictions' into concrete actions, well, then it is obvious that he all talk or is trying a play from the 'third-way' playbook.