In a desperate effort to reverse the apparant outcome of the November elections, Republicans are trying to persuade the public that the recent bomb plot by English muslims shows that they are protecting national security while Democrats' plans to exit Iraq endanger it. The facts of the bombing plot prove the exact opposite, but if Dems can't effectively present those facts to the public, they, and we, are lost.
Amid the confusion and uncertainty which still surrounds the airplane bombing plot, two crucial facts have emerged.
First, that the plot was hatched by young, British Muslims whose radical violence and hatred for America and their native country were born from the invasion of Iraq. Like the London subway bombers who preceded them, they are among the thousands of new terrorists hatched by that invasion and continued occupation.
Second, that their plot was coordinated with, if not originated by, associates of Al Qaeda who are still operating in Pakistan and Afghanistan as a result of our failure to complete the job of wiping out the people who were really responsible for 9/11.
In the face of these facts it is ludicrous and outrageous for Republican leader to suggest that the bomb plot somehow proves that they are protecting our security by "staying the course" while Democrats are endangering it by proposing an end to our disastrous involvement in Iraq.
But "ludicrous and outrageous" is nothing new from the Republicans. If Democrats can't effectively counter these lies with the real facts of this case there is no hope for them.
Time after time Democrats have lost the battle for public opinion by avoiding criticism of the Administration for starting the war in Iraq for fear of being called flip floppers, or soft on terrorism, or unpatriotic. But the public now knows the Iraq war was a mistake, and this is the perfect opportunity to point out one of the most important reasons why, in the context of real national security. Now is the time to present the facts, boldly and without hesitation or apology. If not now, never.