Yep...

It's the difference between being the shooter and being the target...

Michale.....

I think the presidential candidates are being wishy-washy on what to do in Iraq for the very reasons you have given. They know the situation will likely be different (maybe better, maybe worse) by next year's election day, so they're all leaving themselves wiggle room.

And (sigh) you are also right about the GOP's mastery of PR... Dems really need to learn the lesson about getting out in front of an issue, instead of always being reactionary.

-CW

(1) He specifically stated that his health and cancer treatments had nothing to do with his quitting. He took the loan out BEFORE he was diagnosed with cancer, remember.

(2) He should have the best health insurance in the country, and 168K isn't enough to pay for his treatment on TOP of that? Does not compute. His insurance is paying for his treatments, not him.

I'll dig out a link to what he said when he resigned, if you don't believe me.

I still say it would be a good ad, although you are right, it would probably have to specifically address the issues you brought up.

-CW

Michale.....

Since it is universally accepted that the surge is having the desired effect, the Democrats are left with two, and only two, very unpalatable choices...

1. Democrats can do what is best for the country and rally behind the war effort..

2. Democrats can do what is best for the Democrats and continue their defeatist, "THE WAR IS LOST AND AMERICA SUCKS" attitude...

If the Dems choose the former, they will alienate their anti-war base. And, as is obvious to even the most obtuse political observer, the Dem's anti-war base is as evil, vindictive and hysterical as their Neo-Con counterparts.. I doubt many Democrats will survive the wrath of MoveOn.org and the likes of the always hysterical and never factual Cindy Sheehan types...

On the other hand, if the Dems choose the latter, they will piss off the (let me dust off an old acronym here) UDVs (Undecided Voters) of this country and won't have a snowballs chance in hell of retaining Congress and regaining the White House. Because as everyone knows, it is the centrist UDVs (such as yours truly) who well and truly decide who is and who is not elected.....

It will be VERY interesting to see if the Democrats can come up with a viable third option...

Michale......

Michale.....

You make a lot of good points. Congressional approval ratings are down because a lot of the Democratic base is already pretty disgusted with them. If the Dems don't do something to show their base they can win a few fights, then you're right, a lot of them are going to stay home next year.

But whatever happens in September (good, bad or ugly) in Congress is going to provide the "red meat" for the 2008 election, one way or another. So even if you are just focused on the election, I think the consequences of the next month or two are going to be major subjects for debate in the campaign.

Anyway, thanks for commenting.

-CW

Larry "what’s his name" was a gimmie for this week by the media because they know they are about to destroy the Democrat party after the Patreous speech next week. The entire month of September will be about the news of how Iraq has turned around and that the Democrats had it all wrong and should be willing to allow more time for victory, that is if you really do want victory. This will make it even easier for blue dog Democrats in purple states to cross the isle and show leadership by victory. Then as you say "This will serve to depress their base in the primaries and the election next year." except it will be the liberal wing of the Democrat party. This debate will rage on for least two months. Yes, the Democrats will make the weak pitch that they have been behind the troops and never once doubted their ability, but that the political situation in Iraq is a mess. Be careful with this one because Maliki has recently made comments that serve as saber rattling to Democrats in the U.S. to stay out of Iraq politics. Can you imagine how destructive a few interviews from Maliki (as victim) could be to Democrats given the Democrats' position over the past two years? I think Hill-Bill are smart enough not to push that one too far, and will ask Bidden to drop it. The only question I have is could Denver 08 be Chicago 68? Will the KOS types go to war or roll over?

The Tony Snow (non-starter), Gonzales replacement, and budget issues are all the ole saw of Bush is bad. These will not work anymore because both Republicans and Democrats are looking to the future candidates. This is what Nov07 to Nov08 will be about. Both parties are looking for substance. Saying "Change", and "New Direction" will not seal the deal anymore since members of both parties have been burned by this. In November, the candidates will be tossing out the red meat and eating their own in both parties. Leaving the battle between Pelosi and Bush as boring old news. I can't wait!

Pelosi stole a page from Newt Gingrich. Remember -- she only promised that the HOUSE would vote on the stuff in 100 days. The House did so. They passed the 9/11 commission's recommendations (minus the recommendations for Congress to improve its own intelligence process) within the 100 days.

So blame Harry Reid for this one. The Senate has to pass a version, then it's got to go to conference committee, then both houses pass it again, and then and only then does it arrive on Bush's desk.

Check out my comment on HuffPost (to this article) to what "oldpotsmuggler" had to say. I agreed with him -- Congress should have acted on a bunch of this stuff BEFORE they went off on vacation. So I think you and I agree on that point.

But in Nancy's defense, the "100 days" was just in the House. And she did deliver on it. But the House, by itself, doesn't put laws on Bush's desk.

-CW

Oops... Make that first 100 days.. Dunno what I was thinking.... :^/

Michale.....

Ya'all are really REALLY pissed off that the news out of Iraq is actually GOOD news for a change..

And EVERYONE (even the 'crats) are acknowledging this...

>The first bill out of the chute
>may be the Homeland Security bill
>(which will implement all the 9/11
>commission's suggestions).

But THAT was supposed to be done in the first 11 days!!????

THAT 'crat promise seems to have gone the way of the 'crat promise to end the Iraq war...

Frankly, I am hard pressed to believe that the POST Vacation Democrats will be any different than the PRE Vacation Democrats...

Any reason why I should believe that things will be different??

Just curious..

Great article, though.. I just think you are trying to give a new script to the same old tired actors and they just can't read it...

Michale.....

Good Post!
...Stan