Grab Bag of Advice for Democrats
There's an old saying I learned way back in junior high that says "Socrates gave great advice. They made him drink poison." With that in mind, here's
the advice some Democrats are giving congressional leaders:
" Go for the jugular as the Republicans always do with Democrats. Just keep saying, 'The Republicans lost the war in Iraq.' Scare the hell out of people about all the ways we are unsafe: from global warming to terrorists so easily being able to penetrate ports or nuclear and chemical plants."
-- Bill Maher of HBO's "Real Time With Bill Maher"
" The war in Iraq is over except for the dying. Campaign for a date to bring our forces home. Speak for Americans on big issues like gas prices, health care, the environment and alternative energy. Don't be afraid to say we're for the people, not the powerful. Be Democrats, for a change."
-- Robert Shrum, senior adviser to John Kerry's 2004 presidential campaign
" Go after tired Republican incumbents who have been there too long. Hold them accountable for the state of the nation. Make them spend huge resources defending what should be safe seats. Don't just be ready to 'catch the wave.' Get in there and make the wave."
-- Robert S. Strauss, former chairman of the Democratic National Committee
" Talk a lot about Iraq. George Bush and the Republicans are losing the war. Democrats can do a better job. But stay committed to winning the peace. Too many Democrats are calling for withdrawal. Americans rightly loathe retreat and surrender. When the people ask what your Iraq position is, give 'em a one-word answer: victory."
-- Jack Quinn, White House counsel to President Bill Clinton
If that's the advice that Democrats get, then it's understandable why they're the minority party. Bob Shrum's observation that "The war in Iraq is over except for the dying" is assinine. As I noted yesterday, Iraqi and coalition forces are stepping up the pace on the attacks to wipe out the rest of Zarqawi's network of terrorists and insurgents. I guess it's all over except the dying in the sense that terrorists are dying. The BBC reports that "104 insurgents were killed and 759 'anti-Iraqi elements' captured" and that "28 significant arms caches had been found by US and Iraqi forces."
I don't think that that's what Shrum meant, though.
As for Bill Maher's advice, I pray that that's the theme Democrats finally settle on because they aren't taken seriously about fighting the war in Iraq. Besides, repeating "The Republicans lost the war in Iraq" when things are finally turning our way is the easiest way to look like idiots. Then again, what would you expect from an idiot like him? It isn't like he's a political wizard.
Finally, on Bob Strauss's advice to go after tired incumbents, lotsa luck. This is poor advice, which is typical for Democrats.
Posted Friday, June 16, 2006 10:21 AM
May 2006 Posts
No comments.
" Go for the jugular as the Republicans always do with Democrats. Just keep saying, 'The Republicans lost the war in Iraq.' Scare the hell out of people about all the ways we are unsafe: from global warming to terrorists so easily being able to penetrate ports or nuclear and chemical plants."
-- Bill Maher of HBO's "Real Time With Bill Maher"
" The war in Iraq is over except for the dying. Campaign for a date to bring our forces home. Speak for Americans on big issues like gas prices, health care, the environment and alternative energy. Don't be afraid to say we're for the people, not the powerful. Be Democrats, for a change."
-- Robert Shrum, senior adviser to John Kerry's 2004 presidential campaign
" Go after tired Republican incumbents who have been there too long. Hold them accountable for the state of the nation. Make them spend huge resources defending what should be safe seats. Don't just be ready to 'catch the wave.' Get in there and make the wave."
-- Robert S. Strauss, former chairman of the Democratic National Committee
" Talk a lot about Iraq. George Bush and the Republicans are losing the war. Democrats can do a better job. But stay committed to winning the peace. Too many Democrats are calling for withdrawal. Americans rightly loathe retreat and surrender. When the people ask what your Iraq position is, give 'em a one-word answer: victory."
-- Jack Quinn, White House counsel to President Bill Clinton
If that's the advice that Democrats get, then it's understandable why they're the minority party. Bob Shrum's observation that "The war in Iraq is over except for the dying" is assinine. As I noted yesterday, Iraqi and coalition forces are stepping up the pace on the attacks to wipe out the rest of Zarqawi's network of terrorists and insurgents. I guess it's all over except the dying in the sense that terrorists are dying. The BBC reports that "104 insurgents were killed and 759 'anti-Iraqi elements' captured" and that "28 significant arms caches had been found by US and Iraqi forces."
I don't think that that's what Shrum meant, though.
As for Bill Maher's advice, I pray that that's the theme Democrats finally settle on because they aren't taken seriously about fighting the war in Iraq. Besides, repeating "The Republicans lost the war in Iraq" when things are finally turning our way is the easiest way to look like idiots. Then again, what would you expect from an idiot like him? It isn't like he's a political wizard.
Finally, on Bob Strauss's advice to go after tired incumbents, lotsa luck. This is poor advice, which is typical for Democrats.
Posted Friday, June 16, 2006 10:21 AM
May 2006 Posts
No comments.
