Cenk Uygur: Screw the Moderate Republicans

[babylonsister]

Screw the Moderate Republicans
by Cenk Uygur | Sep 14 2007


The Democrats should play politics. That's normally considered a dirty word, but in this case it can help. The Senate Democrats are worried that they can't get 60 votes in the Senate unless they pass a watered down, irrelevant Iraq withdrawal bill. And they're right, they can't.

But here's my solution -- don't. The conventional wisdom is that you need 60 votes for withdrawal right now. But that's not true. I'd rather have 60 votes on an actual withdrawal bill three months from now than 60 votes for a useless bill that "urges" the president to withdraw with "non-binding" legislation.

Non-binding is crap. It's pointless and the Democrats shouldn't even consider it for a nanosecond. It won't make a bit of difference in swaying Bush. It won't lead to an actual withdrawal.

The Democrats seem to be panicking because they feel like they have to get results now. But non-binding legislation with fuzzy "goals" is no action at all. They'd have to be crazy to think it is. We're not that stupid that we would get fooled into thinking Democrats took real action by urging the president to do the right thing.

So, here is my solution. Pass a real withdrawal bill (giving our troops the money to come home in 12 months sounds about right), then let the Republicans block it with a filibuster. Beat the living crap out of them politically. Pass the same bill, let them block it again. Repeat and repeat and repeat, until they cry uncle.

They would also take a pounding on their credibility. John Warner claims he wants withdrawal, but if he doesn't vote that way, then is he really an honest broker? Whatever you do, don't give them political cover to pretend they voted for withdrawal while voting to let the president have complete discretion.

more...

http://www.smirkingchimp.com/thread/9924

[OHdem10]

1. At this point, the Democrats have only one tool and that one

tool is unpalatable to the Dems. Simply do not
fund the war.

The Democrats should not (IMO) be doing things for
show. This is disgusting to average Americans.
If they really believe in the war, Bush has
laid out the plan. We are there for the next
100 hundred years, making a contribution(money)
to support of Iraq every budget.

Non-binding Resolutions are a waste of time, energy
and make them look weaker.

Thinking out loud. Need to ask an ethicist.

Which is more immoral?

Continuing to send young Americans into a mission which
is really just kicking the can down the road , running
out the clock ---knowing full well they are going to death.

or

Refusing to support your party's vote, because you do not
want to cut off funds to troops. Does everyone believe
the president is cruel enough to tell the troops to keep
fighting even if he has no money ??? Why did they ever
permit the GOP to frame it that way????

[Demeter]

2. If Our "Democratic Leadership" Could Think, or Even Lead

all these GOP crooks would be out of office and in jail already.