Tuesday, April 04, 2006
 

What's the plan, Stan?

Kevin Drum points out that while Democrats are routinely castigated for "not having a plan" for Iraq, the Republicans don't have one either.

That's true but I think he rather misses the point. Complaining that the Democrats have no plan is intended to goad the Dems into getting very specific about their intentions, which would be a dangerous and very silly thing to do, since they're neither privy to all the intelligence available, nor are they in control of the American military forces which can (one would think) significantly change the circumstances, thereby potentially rendering any Democratic plan completely worthless. Not only that, but the Republicans still believe that coming out for withdrawal is a significant political liability, and the demand for a Democratic plan is designed to reveal withdrawal as an important part of their thinking -- which the Republicans think will hurt the Democrats with voters.

On the other hand, the Republicans aren't afraid of being asked for their plan, because what they will say is "Stay the course and win the war," which they not only believe is the ideologically correct answer, but also (in their eyes) the one that will not hurt them with the public.

They may be correct in both of their opinions. I think there is a distinct difference between the public's disapproval of how things are going in Iraq (as polled) and a popular groundswell for withdrawal, because withdrawal feels too much like defeat. If the Dems are to navigate around this propaganda minefield, they have to find a way to talk about ending the Iraq war without implying that by doing so we will be losing it, even though that's exactly what it will mean (because we are already losing it, and there are few if any prospects for reversing that trend).

Under no circumstances should the Democrats, as a party or as individuals, come out with a specific plan for Iraq until it is absolutely necessary for them to do so, and certainly not until after the midterm elections. My feeling is that it will become necessary much closer to the 2008 general election, when our Presidential candidate will have to establish his or her bona fides in regard to Iraq, but I can't see any value in saying anything before then. Let the public continue to distrust our current rulers more and more, instead.

Ed Fitzgerald | 4/04/2006 01:18:00 AM | | | del.icio.us | GO: TOP OF HOME PAGE







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