The key for us activists is to build on this mood that Dionne has correctly labeled without alienating those parts of the anti-war movement that are more extreme. The brilliance of what Republicans have managed to do and Rove has been a primary strategist in accomplishing this feat; is that Republicans have appealed to their extremes without losing their appeal to the center.
Senator Allen was doing this beautifully until he let his guard down with the Macaca remark; a remark that appealed to his base but alienated the center. That remark has lead to people to examine his past. This past lead to Allen handling very poorly his Jewish heritage; and now has lead to further revelations about Allen's racism as a college student. The racism very much appeals to the base but alienates the center.
The anti-war movement, i.e. Cindy Sheehan and groups she is associated with; has very effectively appealed to the center but also has had a tendency to almost self destruct. Cindy Sheehan has associated herself loosely with Hugo Chavez and has felt the necessity to respond (see Cindy Sheehan Responds to Congressman's Attacks) to people who attack her for this stupidity. People who support her fail to see that such associations alienate the center. just as Senator Allen's failure to address his family's history and his past racism alienates the center.
The key for us activists is to win the center over without alienating the anti-war / impeach Bush movement.The key here is Congressional oversight and investigation; not impeachment and end the war. The simple message that must be pounded on over and over again is that Democrats will provide Congressional oversight and investigation, key roles of Congress that have been missing for 4 years from Congress - the election of 2002 ended Congressional oversight and investigation.
Lack of oversight and investigation has meant that President Bush has not had all the facts necessary to make wise decisions. If the facts revealed may help the President to make better decisions and we do not know what will be discovered. However, what few facts do come to light give us Democrats grave concern and we believe you Mr. and Ms. Voter should be concerned to get to the truth.
On the issue of impeachment; the answer is relatively simple. Why should President Bush have anything to fear from the truth being revealed about his leadership? We don't think he should, but if investigation leads to truths that merit impeachment don't you want that revealed?
When asked about Cindy Sheehan and the anti-war movement the answer is again simple. We are very concerned that the Iraq War is hurting the US fight against terrorism. We seek to earliest return of the troops possible and Congressional Oversight and Investigation is key to achieving this; however, only the Commander in Chief can order the troops home; not Congress.
What do you think?
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