Paul Begala has the right idea, which is for Democrats to go on the offensive with the Iraq issue.
Much like current Democratic efforts to raise the minimum wage, Democrats in Congress should frame the Iraq issue quite explicitly. It's time for Congressional Democrats to propose legislation that would immediately draft eligible sons (and maybe also daughters) of anyone serving in Congress and in the Cabinet for service in Iraq.
This new law would have an appropriate name, such as "The Emergency Support for Our Brave Troops Serving in Iraq Act," or the "The America's Leaders Genuinely Support the Iraq War Act" or the "America's Leaders Have a Special Responsibility Act." The bill would contain these key provisions:
1. Because of the Iraq emergency, the Selective Service shall immediately proceed with compulsory induction procedures for all eligible, legally recognized sons (and perhaps also daughters) of any currently serving Representative, Senator, or Cabinet official.
2. The Selective Service shall determine eligibility according to the standard requirements (medical, physical, mental, etc.) regular recruits must have met as of 60 days prior to the Iraq conflict or any future applicable conflict.
3. The Department of Defense shall provide standard basic training for these newly inducted servicemen and shall add their number to U.S. forces serving in Iraq (or a future conflict), in relief of troops currently serving in theater.
4. Inducted individuals shall receive pay, benefits, promotion opportunities, "shore leave," and service rotation equivalent to any volunteer soldier of equal experience.
5. The Department of Defense shall assign these individuals to the most urgently needed combat roles.
6. In the event of multiple concurrent conflicts, the Department of Defense shall apportion these inductees in a ratio equivalent to deployment of other forces.
7. The Department of Defense and Selective Service shall otherwise treat these individuals exactly the same as any regular recruit.
8. Inducted individuals shall serve until the last non-inducted soldier leaves theater. However, inducted individuals must fulfill any required minimum service commitment to their country that would apply per Section (4). Also, once inducted, the individual's status shall not change for a particular conflict even if his parent ceases serving in Congress or in the Cabinet.
9. This law applies to (a) Iraq; and (b) any future conflict resulting in the deployment of 1,000 or more troops for a period of six calendar months or longer and involving at least 3 casualties.
10. Congressmen or Cabinet officials who contact any Department of Defense or Selective Service official to try to influence treatment of a son (or daughter) in any way shall suffer expulsion (from the House or Senate) or immediate cessation of all appropriated pay and benefits (the Cabinet).