and we... Democrats, are to blame.
We've seen this before. Just when you think the Democrats have an issue or stance that can gain traction, the GOP and their finely tuned PR warriors swoop in and reframe our message.
Is the Democratic party leadership unable to rally the troups in putting forward a concise and streamlined counterpoint to balance the debate? But more to the point, who exactly is this leadership?
As Will Rogers once said, "I am not a member of any organized political party. I am a Democrat."
Sounds about right.
In the recent dialogue in regards to a proper course of action in Iraq, Max Boot, in a recent LA Times opinion piece attaches a moniker that we will hear many times in the years ahead....."White Flag Democrats". Why?
Max Boot
AND THE DEMOCRATS wonder why they are considered weak on national security? It's not because anyone doubts their patriotism. It's because a lot of people doubt their judgment and toughness.
While our first reaction may be to jump up and declare that our testosterone levels are just as noteworthy as our political opponents across the aisle, we should recognize the reasons why this type of hyperbole gains a foothold.
I would say that one component from which we derive our strength is also our Achilles heel....the multitude of differing opinion.
From Lieberman to Clinton to Murtha to Pelosi to Kerry....we're all over the map in terms of our positions. And this allows the GOP to pick and choose....mix and match our messages in a crazy-quilt montage giving the appearance of no position whatsoever. A focused response is needed to redirect and put forward OUR message.
We've all heard the disingenuous soundbites.... "Cut and Run".... ""Immediate withdrawal".... "Surrender to the enemy".
We're about to miss an opportunity which would benefit our party and the country as a whole. But who will lead the charge?
We'd better figure this out pretty quickly before the wet cement containing the GOP monikers begins to harden.