Calls for censure should be framed to focus on the Republican vote

[ProSense]

Maybe it's time to focus on why the Republicans are not voting for censure. That is the missed opportunity.

Digby: The Dems are missing the boat on Feingold

Snip...

None of these reasons hold up for me. They do not denote timidity, so much as a kind of political blindness. Let's take them one by one...


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/digby/the-dems-are-missing-the-_b_17475.html

Finally, after five days of branding all Demmocrats, including some of the party's strongest and most progressive leaders, as cowards with disinformation about the Clinton impeachment, the cry is now political blindness. There are clearly Democrats who need to wake up, but this campaign to tarnish Democratic leaders was wrong.

One: The port legislation was reported on CNN. And it was reported with as much fanfare as it ever would have been. But it is as dry as tinder. The mojo of that controversy is past. It did its job...

Yes, it and a number of other things are contributing to Bush and the Repubs downfall. That will not end anytime soon.

Two: Please tell me that the Democrats are not going to withhold criticim of Bush because it might make Republicans rally around him...

Which Democrat said that? And how will putting the Republicans on record for voting against censure going to have an impact if the investigations don’t go forward.

Three: It's apparently true that Feingold didn't consult with the party...

This is responsible for the confusion, along with statements framing censure as an alternative to impeachment, which would be bad for the country during a time of war.

Four: Iraq is the issue that's killing the Republicans in the polls...

Sign the DSM letter and support the Leahy/Kennedy resolution and calls for investigations.

Five: Well yes, by all means a strategy whereby we count on Arlen Specter to hold "real" hearings is spot on. What could possibly go wrong? Why, if we wait until after the 2008 election, he might even do it.

Does this mean the Democrats will lose in 2006 and will not regain control of Congress?

Desperation is no reason to treat censure as the most damaging thing we could do to Bush, while missing the opportunity to focus on the Republicans dereliction of duty.

It’s good to put the Republicans on record if we vigorously pursue investigations. You can't call for unity while berating the party's strongest and most progressive leaders. And, 2006 is the issue, not 2008.

[ProSense]

1. Durbin: Republicans have abdicated their responsibilities

No need to prejudge impeachment. Excellent stuff.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=700196&mesg_id=700196