Howard Dean is questioning whether we can win the war. (Didn't we
already win it?) But seriously, this takes balls. Now, predictably, talk radio wingnuts are screaming "
hang the traitor," some Democrats are distancing themselves from him, and Republicans are smearing him:
RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman:
"[Dean's] outrageous prediction sends the wrong message to our troops, the enemy and the Iraqi people..."
And the President:
President George W. Bush [called] him a pessimist trying to score political points. "I know we're going to win, and our troops need to hear not only that they are supported but that we have got a strategy that will win," said Bush.
Okay,
1) The troops are not four-year olds. They know that many Americans have doubts about the war, doubts about the Bush Administration's willingness to be honest. Furthermore, the doubts are shared by a lot of soldiers, like
Pat Tillman who once said, "You know, this war is so fucking illegal." So let's cut the "Shhhhhhh... Don't tell the troops about the D-E-B-A-T-E." It's insulting.
2) This wasn't a national story until Republicans made it one. The interview was on San Antonio, Texas, radio station WOAI. Not exactly Armed Forces Radio. If Republicans really believe these statements are damaging, if they are so concerned about our troops and the Iraqi people hearing them, why are they goosing this story to the top of the news cycle? Could it be... to score cheap political points? DING DING DING.
3) Look at what Dean actually said. "The idea that we're going to win the war in Iraq is an idea which is just plain wrong." Well guess what? It's looking more and more like he's right: maybe WE can't win the Iraq war, because if insurgents are like ants in your basement, we're an exterminator drenched in honey. (It's getting worse! Where are these damn ants coming from? This can't be happening.... but we... we have a STRATEGIC PLAN FOR VICTORIOUS ANT REMOVAL!!!)
Does anyone believe for a second that Republicans would be discussing troop withdrawal if Murtha hadn't stood up and said "We're nothing but a target now"? Of course not. They had to be forced to acknowledge the obvious. (And they still tried to brand Murtha--a decorated war veteran--as a coward who was, guess what, sending the wrong message to our poor impressionable troops.)
My friends, there is nothing traiterous or cowardly about challenging this administration on the war. Do not hang Howard Dean out to dry for doing this. Democrats and brave Republicans must continue to stand up and speak the obvious. Do it for your country.
Cross-posted at the Musement Park