Feeding Enemies. Helping those who would pull you down. Acting tough but being seen as weak.
As clear from past headlines and editorials across the country, and even these bs comments from the Politico, supporting the current and past FISA Bills (not all that different really, and we all know this) hurts Democrats.
Fundamentally, any support of this bill is out of fear that Republican opponents will brand Democrats as soft on terror, and that the populace will agree.
It is certainly an understandable fear. Repubs WILL hit our candidates on this issue. But they will also still hit them on it anyway, and supporting this bill and its ilk opens up NEW lines of attack, weakening the Democrats even further more than going against it.
The fundamental question for many of us here is: Will they do what is right and protect the constitution and civil liberties?
However, I think (and if you disagree, that's what comments are for) that the Dems fundamental question is: How can we take the safest and easiest road to national victory in 2008?
I also think that any presidential nominee of a party moves closer to this line when they win their nomination, as it looks like Obama is no exception.
The reality is that the Democrats are in now way protecting themselves from the national security argument, nor are they actually weakening such arguments. As is clear from the Iraq votes and earlier FISA votes, Democrats suffer from voting against the true standards of their party.
First, they appear even weaker because they have gonna long with egregious arguments from the other side. Search the phrase "Democrats cave" 2008 congress on google, then search "Republicans Cave" 2008 congress. Over 11,000 to 822. Substitute the words fail, surrender, capitulate, 2007, 2006, 2005 etc.. Results are similar.
Now look at the press when the Dems rejected FISA. 0ver 300k hits. Not all positive, but a lot more positive than when the Senate rolled over. See also Greenwald here.
I know this is not a scientific study - but the bottom line is this - When the Democrats (or anyone) go along with positions they have rejected in the past, they look weaker. Obama looks weaker. The GOP can push through the most egregious legislation in their agenda, yet the Dems in the majority cannot, because they are not consistent, not clear about what they want, and do not have good control of their caucus.
Secondly, such a path is not a safe to the election, and not only for the reasons above. It adds a new line of attack noting the Dems are opportunists or flip floppers, it reinforces the idea that the Repubs has have more substantial ideas and a powerful role then the Dems whether as a minority or majority, and most importantly, it weakens the broadest and most active supporters of the Democratic party success in 2008.
Let me say that again. We, as progressives, those interested in rule of law, in good government, and civil liberties, are the largest, the broadest and the most active supporters of the Democratic party's success in 2008. As a group we are damn near if not THE greatest source of funds. We may be moderate Dems, Green party folks, Middle of the Road Republican, and more. We are also the fastest growing part of the electorate.
To weaken support in that group is to weaken the party as a whole, weaken belief in your views and agenda, and indeed the future recovery of the United States from the Bush years. While we are united in this, we are still new, and fragile. This group will be kept strong by strong, visionary leadership, by action, and by taking risk to do what is right, not by fear and gamesmanship.
In short, you are feeding your enemies arguments against you. You can't avoid their arguments, and trying to do so looks like spin and squirming. Do what's right, meet those arguments head one, and shield yourself in what is right and consistent and defensible in a reality based world.
Will I vote Dem in 2008? Without a doubt. Will I donate money to make political life a lot harder for folks like Hoyer and Lieberman and the Blue Dogs. Hell to the yaw. I have already. Supporting a party, or candidate is not blind. The last few years have shown us that.
Dems must learn not to fear doing the right thing. They need to learn that strength comes from clear thought and conviction, not fear and capitulation. Meeting attacks that will come regardless head on is far stronger than maneuvering to try and avoid them.