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.

[LucyJo]

Which is why I question Lieberman's recent comments. I think he was asked by party leadership to try to balance the Dean radicalism for purely political reasons. It's the same game being played by Bill and Hill, who are trying to maintain their leftist base while grabbing centrists.

I won't question Lieberman's sincerity regarding his support of our troops, but I'm leery of him because I remember that speech he made about morality amidst Clinton's perjury, and sexual shenanigans, yet his words were made meaningless by his vote to acquit.

Another change of apparent strongly held principles occurred in his rhetoric during the campaign for VP. I don't have much faith that he wouldn't use against us any advantage gained by his stance on this issue.

[WorkingClassFilth]

You are correct. Joe's highly vaunted conscience is a well-oiled weather vane.

[sageb1]

"I won't question Lieberman's sincerity regarding his support of our troops,"

Nor will I. Therefore, I will rephrase my warning. Don't let the Dems' use of Lieberman fool use.

[sageb1]

use=you...lol! maybe I meant yous-guys :)

[Dave Olson]

Colmes has been pathetic for the last couple of days.

A week or so ago, he claimed that in bombing Baghdad, Clinton destroyed some of Iraq's WMDs.

That comment almost knocked me out of my chair. I sent an email to him that if Clinton destroyed only some of the weapons, what happened to the rest of them?

[LucyJo]

This article advances the argument that Dean and Pelosi don't represent the Democratic Party. But as a matter of fact, they do.

Yes, and proving once again that they are a shameless bunch of prevaricators who dare not voice what they truly believe.

[OldFriend]

Thank you for reminding us about how brave a democrat administration can be in the face of a serious threat....from a six year old whose mother died trying to bring him to America.

[shekkian]

Alan Colmes and Bob Beckel

[OldPossum]

Do you think that just maybe Howard's on the Republican Party's payroll? It has to be either that or senility is already creeping--well, not exactly creeping, more like accelerating--in on poor ol' Howard.

[<1/1,000,000th%]

Must be big news if the comPost is reporting it.

[Tokra]

Notice that the dems are not concerned about the fact that this emboldens the terrorists and undermines our military forces, only that it might damage popular perceptions of the democrat party

Very good point - it speaks volumes about the priorities of the Democrats.

[BnBlFlag]

They don't disagree with the content of the remarks: they just worry about any political fallout.

[CharlesWayneCT]

Clinton's Bombing scared Saddam so much that he destroyed the rest of his weapons in secret so that Clinton wouldn't bomb him anymore.

Oh wait, if he did it in secret how would it help him? But he didn't SAY he did it. Why did Saddam get rid of all his WMD but NOT do so publicly to get out from under sanctions? Why did he NOT get rid of his WMD during years of inspections, but then get rid of them surriptitiously after he kicked on the inspectors?

I know, it makes no sense at all, but if you believe that there were no WMD after the war, and you DON'T believe Saddam shipped them to Syria or buried them in the desert, you have to believe that Saddam secretly destroyed his weapons and then allowed years of sanctions, and the ultimate invasion of his country, rather than confess to doing what he was supposed to do.

[CharlesWayneCT]

Pelosi specifically said her position was her OWN PERSONAL position, and that while she thought a majority of democrats agreed with her, she wasn't going to push it as an official position, or call for a party-line vote on the subject.

[prairiebreeze]

And the Republicans joining in to rebuke Deans statements and show their support for victory in Iraq are....


{{{crickets}}}

[hinckley buzzard]

I wanted to drive my fist though Alan Colmes head last night.

Heh-heh, I've had that feeling many times. Hannity's friend and Charles Darwin's cruel joke has a very thin veneer covering his malignant hate and bigotry. He has been increasingly touchy and irritable lately, as the weight of reality begins to pressure his delusions.