Dems shouldn't play defense
After reading the wire stories I am struck by the desperate nature of this pre-election pro Iraq war push by the White House. But I have one piece of advice for the Dems, don't respond with defense, go on offense.
When Donald Rumsfeld reaches back for the WWII historical analogy, the Dems should find some safe seat congressman to respond with a different historical analogy. Vietnam. Vietnam evokes far more charged emotions than Neville Chamberlain.
The framework is there because of the historical understanding of Vietnam, that we stayed long after the war was already lost, that so many died needlessly, and that despite all the rhetoric and empty justifying threats, the dominos never fell.
This counter attack would be mentioned in every single article written on Iraq for weeks just because it's so loaded. Iraq=Vietnam. Iraq=Vietnam. (You could even have an outside group do an add.) Iraq=Vietnam.
These are the lessons of the Swiftboaters. Spurious attacks get airtime. Controversy gets on TV. Truth doesn't really matter on cable news.
These are the lessons. Learn them.
Later: For example, regarding Bush's, Rumsfeld's, and Cheney's recent charges that Dems want to withdrawal in an effort towards "appeasement,"
(Or maybe this one, Dan Senor claims Democrats want to withdraw from Afghanistan. When pressed, he couldn't come up with one example.)
That's the way it works. Lie, make up salacious allegations and the media will give you almost unlimited repetitions of your message. Try to have a real discussion of a rational plan and your party is muddled.
Certainty and stridency over merit, over truth. Learn the lesson. Bring back my pet goat, the Aug 6, 2001 PDB. The truth doesn't matter. Make the administration try to defend through nuance. It makes them look weak.
When Donald Rumsfeld reaches back for the WWII historical analogy, the Dems should find some safe seat congressman to respond with a different historical analogy. Vietnam. Vietnam evokes far more charged emotions than Neville Chamberlain.
The framework is there because of the historical understanding of Vietnam, that we stayed long after the war was already lost, that so many died needlessly, and that despite all the rhetoric and empty justifying threats, the dominos never fell.
This counter attack would be mentioned in every single article written on Iraq for weeks just because it's so loaded. Iraq=Vietnam. Iraq=Vietnam. (You could even have an outside group do an add.) Iraq=Vietnam.
These are the lessons of the Swiftboaters. Spurious attacks get airtime. Controversy gets on TV. Truth doesn't really matter on cable news.
These are the lessons. Learn them.
Later: For example, regarding Bush's, Rumsfeld's, and Cheney's recent charges that Dems want to withdrawal in an effort towards "appeasement,"
Pressed to support these allegations, the White House yesterday could cite no major Democrat who has proposed cutting off funds or suggested that withdrawing from Iraq would persuade terrorists to leave Americans alone. But White House and Republican officials said those are logical interpretations of the most common Democratic position favoring a timetable for withdrawing troops from Iraq.
(Or maybe this one, Dan Senor claims Democrats want to withdraw from Afghanistan. When pressed, he couldn't come up with one example.)
That's the way it works. Lie, make up salacious allegations and the media will give you almost unlimited repetitions of your message. Try to have a real discussion of a rational plan and your party is muddled.
Certainty and stridency over merit, over truth. Learn the lesson. Bring back my pet goat, the Aug 6, 2001 PDB. The truth doesn't matter. Make the administration try to defend through nuance. It makes them look weak.
posted by mikevotes at
7:37 AM
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