National Security

[erpowers]

Why do Democrats not stand up for themselves on the issues of National Security? Democrats never argue that Republicans, especially during the 80's and 90's were totally inept at keeping America secure. I do not see why Democrats consede the issue of national security. After all, it was Democrats who were against arming Saddam Huessain. Also, It was actually Bill Clinton who tried to stop the flow of cash to Saudi terrorists. It seems that Democrats have a better record on national security. So I do not see why they do not argue that case.

[frankly_fedup2]

1. I don't know. I get so frustrated. It's like during the debates, Kerry

had so many times he could have really cut into Bush with facts; however, he never did it.

It's the same with the Social Security Issue. Did anyone see the Heritage Foundation get up on CSPAN with Republican Senators speaking the words of GWB?

How soon the Republicans forgot that when they took control of the Congress the whole time Clinton was president, no matter what he put in front of them, it never got through either the house or the senate.

In 98, I believe, we officially had a surplus, the deficit gone. Clinton proposed using 60% of the billions or trillions of dollars of the surplus, use it to invest in the stockmarket for Social Security, and there would be no worry about Social Security again. There would be dividends coming into the program, plus this did not take anything away from the American People. Oh HELL no congress said.

They were not too worried about it then, why so worried now? Hypocrits.

[FrenchieCat]

2. Some Democrats do argue exactly the case you made....

But maybe not enough of them.

"Anyone who tells you that one political party has a monopoly on the best defense of our nation is committing a fraud on the American people. Franklin Roosevelt said it best: "Repetition does not transform a lie into a truth.

"Great Democrats like Woodrow Wilson, who led us to victory in World War I. Great Democrats like Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman, who turned back the tide of fascism to win World War II. Great Democrats like John Kennedy, who stood firm and steered us safely through the Cuban Missile Crisis. And great Democrats like Bill Clinton, who confronted ethnic cleansing in Yugoslavia, and with diplomacy - backed by force - brought peace to a shattered land.

My fellow Americans, Democrats are leaders. Democrats are fighters"-Gen. Wesley K. Clark

[ElectroPrincess]

3. They do stand up but the Republicans are so FLASHY ...

with no substance spouting patriotic platitudes. Wrapping themselves up in the flag but NOT following through to honestly support the troops with pay, veterans' benefits, and adequate combat gear for their protection.

The sheeple better pay attention and learn soon that it's the TRUE Democrats who will stand up for the TROOPS. The Republicans do HATE veterans ... look at how they've slashed our benefits.

Now before you jump me, please note, this is exactly how the PROPAGANDA WAR is played. It ain't pretty but it is effective with the masses.

[FrenchieCat]

4. I think that the media

allows for this perception, and in fact, reinforces it...anyway they can. The only people that they consistently have on the Sunday Barf Bag Shows discussing National Security and the War are McCain, Hagel, Lieberman and Biden....and to me, Biden and Lieberman are like DINO Jokes, considering that neither had real problems with the Bush Iraq War Invasion (Although Biden has calmed down since the polls started to show that most Americans don't support it anymore).

So you see, most of the Dems that are supposed to be "tough on National Security" and are highlighted to the public are mainly Dems who were major enablers of the Bush Doctrine. Not good, IMO.

[Adelante]

5. Democrats do have the better record on security

And also the saner foreign policy. Diplomacy first, second, third and until it turns unproductive; multilateralist humanitarian intervention, when necessary; war as an extreme last resort, when all else fails, and not preemptively.

Democrats have not made the case to the country and so we keep on losing elections.

Voters in every poll, including exit polls last November, make it clear they trust the Democrats on the economy and other domestice issues. We already have them there.

They don't vote for us because they do not trust us to defend the country.

So what do we talk about? Domestic issues. :crazy:

This is not to say we shouldn't. We should talk about all of it. We should give foreign policy the same respect in the Dem message as we do domestic policy. Until we do this, until we have a comprehensive, full service agenda, we will not capture anymore voters than we already have and we will lose, lose, lose.