David Sirota: "Beltway Dems Regurgitate Right-Wing B.S. On Iraq"

[Hissyspit]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-sirota/beltway-dems-regurgitate-_b_5990.html

Sirota discusses the very bad news, bad news and good news:

First the very bad news. The article notes that the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC) is once again undermining the Democratic Party. This time, it has "accused war critics of 'anti-American bias'" (wonder if that includes Vietnam War hero and Republican Senator Chuck Hagel?). This is a pristine example of self-proclaimed Democrats literally regurgitating the most offensive and dishonest right-wing spin out there. There is nothing "anti-American" about wanting to bring our troops home. (Frankly, it's the other way around: there is something "anti-American soldier" about wanting to indefinitely leave our troops in a shooting gallery without an exit strategy, without proper body armor, and without any semblance of a plan). The DLC's rhetoric is reminiscent of Attorney General John Ashcroft's now-famous statement that critics of the Bush administration "only aid terrorists for they erode our national unity and diminish our resolve." It is also frighteningly reminiscent of the 9/8/03 Washington Post story that noted Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said that "critics of the Bush administration's Iraq policy are encouraging terrorists and complicating the ongoing U.S. war on terrorism."

More bad news: the Democratic Party's Senate and House campaign apparatus is telling Democrats to keep their mouths shut on Iraq, for fear they will look weak on national security. Most recently, these pathetic souls desperately tried to divert attention from how the Iraq War played an instrumental role in Iraq War Veteran Paul Hackett's congressional race in Ohio. Apparently, the class of professional election losers in Washington, D.C. thinks Democrats can win by saying almost nothing on Iraq (like the party often says nothing on lots of issues, thus perpetuating the perception that Democrats stand for nothing). As one "Democratic strategist" told the Inquirer, "Let's not refight the origins of the war, who was right or wrong. That discussion has run its course." The strategist then said "Let's keep hitting Bush when he's not being straight with the people."

That's all well and good - except, it assumes that Americans are stupid. The fact is, doing what these strategists suggest will reinforce the idea that Democrats stand for nothing, because refusing to address the Iraq war is the equivalent of Democrats "not being straight with people" in the same way Bush isn't being straight with people. It's the reason why we can drive up Bush and the GOP's negatives all we want - but that doesn't mean it is going to help us. The fact is, Democrats will not capitalize on any of this until they start speaking clearly about where they actually stand on the war, and whether they actually have the guts to say what polls show most Americans believe: that the Bush administration deliberately lied to us about why we were going to war, that the war has made our country less safe/secure, and that it's time for a serious exit strategy.

His good news? That "there is a growing outrage outside the class of professional election losers in Washington who are starting to flex their political muscle." In other words, "millions of ordinary, hard-working citizens" are tired of the weak politics resulting in loss after loss to the Republicans. (See Cocoa's post #2 below...)

MORE

[eleny]

1. Thank you, Sirota

Now, tell it to Franken next time you're on his program.

[Cocoa]

2. I'm glad Sirota mentions Feingold and Hackett

and I didn't know about Casey...

Finally, there is some good news: the Inquirer story reminds us that there is a growing outrage outside the class of professional election losers in Washington who are starting to flex their political muscle. That is, the millions of ordinary, hard-working citizens who actually make up the ranks of the Democratic Party are getting sick and tired of the split-the-difference politics that has led Democrats to loss after loss after loss. People like Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) and Paul Hackett are showing that there are talented and effective champions who are listening to us, and are ready to take up the fight. And others like top-tier Senate candidate Bob Casey (D-PA) are rejecting the Iraq advice from the all-too-comfortable consultants in Washington.

It is up to us to support these and other courageous leaders in their noble cause, because they are fighting not only for the future of the Democratic Party, but more importantly, for the future of this country.

[KoKo]

3. A good read as always with Sirota. Thanks for posting it.

He speaks clearly and doesn't beat around the bush...pun intended...:D

[Vox_Reason]

4. David Sirota rocks--check out his new org, PLAN.

http://www.progressivestates.org

Thank you, David! :toast:

[Hissyspit]

5. kick after rewriting it a bit

[reprehensor]

6. Would our most influential members here at DU...

PLEASE FUCKING LISTEN TO THIS GUY?

Thanks.

[kentuck]

7. Very true...

Democrats can and should say that "Bush lied about the war, we are in a quagmire, our troops are dying needlessly, and the Repubs are saying to stay the course. When you find yourself in a hole, it's time to stop digging. We are in a deep hole in Iraq. It was a war of choice, as we now know. Some people voted for it because they believed this Adminstration. They never thought they would lie about such an issue as sending our troops to war. Now, we know better."

"So, should the troops be pulled out?"

"Yes, as soon as possible".

[omega minimo]

8. WHAT DISCUSSION!!!!!!!!!!!!???????

"As one "Democratic strategist" told the Inquirer, "Let's not refight the origins of the war, who was right or wrong. That discussion has run its course."

WHEN DID THE U.S. AND THE CONGRESS AGREE TO BE THE WORLD LEADER IN PRE-EMPTIVE WAR?

WHY HAVE DEMOCRATIC LEADERS NEVER NEVER NEVER BROUGHT THIS UP?

"The fact is, Democrats will not capitalize on any of this until they start speaking clearly about where they actually stand on the war, and whether they actually have the guts to say what polls show most Americans believe: that the Bush administration deliberately lied to us about why we were going to war, that the war has made our country less safe/secure, and that it's time for a serious exit strategy."

LIED TO WAR
LESS SAFE/SECURE
LESS RESPECTED
LESS CREDIBILITY
LESS BILLIONS
LESS THOUSANDS OF LIVES

and NO DISCUSSION on the Bush Administrations PRE-EMPTIVE WAR.

Next stop, Iran?

[radio4progressives]

10. Exactly - well stated.

They are just as culpabable as GW Bush and Co. In fact, they are in bed with Bush Co.

You know what? It just occurs to me that Clinton, Biden, Liberman Feinstein and every one of these clowns who voted for the invasion of Iraq be impeached too.

I may just make a sign that says as much for the Sept 24th march and rally. I think it's time we hold these jerks publicaly accountable to the same degree we do Bush, et al for the very same reasons.

[omega minimo]

12. Your sign needs only 4 letters

P N A C

[radio4progressives]

13. LOL! Problem is - none of these guys signed those white papers, but I

think they drafted similar documents if i recall ?(check that)

[BeFree]

9. That about does it

Reading the comments here, especially the ones from Dem strategists, has shown me once again why I had abandoned the party for years. They don't represent me or my brethren. The represent only themselves and their money.

When is Dean gonna clear the decks? Hopefully he's getting ready. We need a whole new breed of dem leaders and they need to kick ass now, and take names later.

Boxer, Conyers, et al, must be terribly frustrated. Too bad they can't get above the cowards who run the party, eh?

[radio4progressives]

11. Thanks for posting this! n/t (kicking)

[wli]

14. not much good news there that I cvan tell

All that "outrage" has been there all along. It's never gone anywhere before, and it merely serves someone's purposes to give it a voice in the media now, however significantly muted.

ON EDIT: Added "muted" qualification.

[Pithy Cherub]

15. The DLC is confined

by being beholden to corporations and Washington strategists of ill repute. The people of America are very much going to do something classicaly human, determine who is responsible for this mess. the DLc very much wants to avoid this because of their dunplict and complicit voices saying aye on that IWR vote. As badly as the DLC would like people not to remember the IWR vote, it is colossally being beamed into homes via Iraq caualties, Peace Vigils and the economic realities visiting everyone's lives.

The American majority have turned against the Iraq war. That is a death knell to DLC political rhetoric because it will force credibility moments. The choices are defend the vote or renounce it.

David Sirota captures the fact that there is a divide and the votes are not with the DLC establishment types, but with the progressive forces who call it a travesty and then DON'T APOLOGIZE FOR THEIR WORDS!