War Criticism and The Polls

Are Democrats hurting their chances in future elections by airing concerns over the war in Iraq? A Post article says that some Democrats themselves are nervous about that possibility. Not all readers share those fears.

DFRANTSEN thinks that those who are concerned lack the will to argue against the war. "Some Dems are just more worried about their future careers then in doing what is right."

GV2755 says that the problem lies with what he alleges is the press's tendency to selectively quote Dean, which made Dean look as if he doubted the troops. GV2755 goes on to clarify what he sees as the difference: "Our troops can win wars, but they can't win an Iraqi political battle."

But smallvoic2 has no tolerance for cowards. "Democrats (or anyone else) afraid to speak out against Bush should remember what happened to Democratic politicians who, fearing reprisal, played follow-the-leader-to-Iraq and now are being blamed for the war."

KendyDemocrt views the congressional race through a local lens, arguing that the national party leadership and its disagreement over Iraq doesn't matter on election day. "When I cast a vote for a congressman or Senator it is because I think that his or her values come closest to mine. I do not vote for them because I think that they will follow what the representative from California, New York or anywhere else thinks. Each was elected to represent their own district."

No way should Democrats back away from war criticism, says hokapoka76. "Pursuing the aims of GWB and Cheney, is a guaranteed ticket to nowhere and this is the time to turn up the heat on those phonies. Anything is better than being a FENCE-SITTER!...They must have the guts to MAKE-THE-DIFFERENCE ... for the sake of our nation ... by changing the current course that was plotted by IDIOTS."

But tedagnew argues that the Democrats can effectively take on national security issues by focusing on dangers that have gone unaddressed by the Bush administration, a difficult task for the party if, as bootdabums and GAT2005 say, the Democrats continue to lack a strategy that they can all agree to, stick to, and effectively communicate.

By Lindsay Howerton |  December 8, 2005; 2:18 PM ET  | Category:  Politics
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It is amazing that now the Democrats are so concerened about "Our Boys" dying in Iraq, when prior to Bush it was a different story.

The Democrats under Clinton gutted our defense establishment. If you don't believe that go to the defense dept. web site and check out manning, number of ships, airplanes, tanks, ect in 1980 and in
1988.
Then Clinton let greedy contractors sell missle guidence technology to China. Before
that, China couldn't hit itself in the ass with a missle! Now thanks to Clinton they can hit LA, Chicago, Phoenix, San Francisco, and a whole lot more. And to top that, Clinton gives North Korea two
nuke reactors! Thats the same as giving Hitler the atom bomb!
Now to further their political gains, they are stabing our troops in the back - again - with all this anti-war, anti-Bush
speech and demonstrations.
I guess it really doesn't make much difference, the U.S. is well on its way to being a third world country anyway. No manufactoring, no military, a gutless population, and a population of new immigrants (legal & illegal) that couldn't
care less about the United States. Thank god I'm 63, I won't be around when this house of cards comes crashing down!

"Merry" CHRISTMAS!!! THAT'S CHRISTMAS for you ACLU types! So sue me.

Ralph L
Galveston, Texas. 77553

Posted by: Ralph L | December 9, 2005 10:23 AM

As proof of Clinton gutting our military, you cite numbers from 1980 and 1988. Linton didn't take office until 1993 and at that time he left in place the long range plans of Bush I to privatize a large part of the military. Hence all of those Halliburton types in Iraq now.
Clinton did not give North Korea any nuclear reactors. What he did try to do was rtade reactors to them as a means of stopping their nuclear weapons program. Which is finally the strategy the Bush II is using with the approval of Russia, China, South Korea and Japan.
Being anti-Bush or anti-war has absolutely nothing to do with stabbing our troops in the back. There is more harm being done by people like you who hate this country and the Constitution so much that you want to limit free speech and at the same time condone torture and domestic spying.
Let's see under Clinton and the Democrats the economy was booming and jobs were plentiful. Under Bush. tens of thousands of good paying jobs ahve gone over seas. Also I would be willing to bet that there were people condemning your parents or grandparents as they got off of the boat.
By the way, I am a proud. card-carrying member of the ACLU and I say Merry Christmas all of the time.

Posted by: jeff j | December 24, 2005 02:56 PM

I find it hard to beleive that if I say that I want the troops to come home I am being unamerican. I am independent when it comes to politics and I think that the troops are over there on a platform of lies. I support the troops but not their mission. We will never learn the truth of why the troops are there. We need to be a country of americans and not Republicans or Democrats and serve the best interest of all.

Posted by: Melvin | January 22, 2006 12:02 PM

I think that there should be term limits for all branches of the government. We have members of congress that have been in office over twenty years at some point in time people start to lose touch with the people that put them in office. Correct me if I am wrong elected officials are in office to serve the people and not special interest groups. If the president can only serve two terms the members of congress should serve no more than three.

Posted by: Melvin | January 22, 2006 12:12 PM

Regarding the Scott Wilson and Glenn Kessler article: "U.S. Funds Enter the Fray in Palestinian Elections,"
Sunday, January 22, 2006; Page A01

This is an appalling article. It is clearly structured and slanted to emphasize the alleged cloak & dagger aspect of the U.S. effort to provide funds for the more moderate elements of the Palestinian electorate. In the authors' race to sell this story as a groundbreaking raking of muck, they give aid and comfort to Hamas, an enemy of both the U.S. and Israel. The U.S. is not assassinating leaders in Palestine, it is not handing out $10,000 prizes for the blowing up of civilians, it is not kidnapping reporters. It is, apparently, giving voice to those not supported by Iran and Saudi Arabia, as Hamas and Islamic Jihad are, for both murderous and political intent. I do not expect reporters to be responsible, not anymore. Nor editors. But it would be wonderful if you'd surprise us, once in a while. As it is, this is vile and, essentially, treasonous journalism.

Posted by: Alan Nitikman | January 23, 2006 09:46 PM

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