Where are the magic "moderate" Republicans we were told would rescue us from the war come September?

[draft_mario_cuomo]

When the caving occurred in the spring we were told several magic "moderate" that we were told would suddenly see the light over the summer or, failing that, when Petraeus would testify before Congress. We may even have gotten the dozen plus needed to get a veto-proof majority for a timetable for withdrawal. Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me. Where are these promised "moderates" now? Are we going to accept caving in by falling for the same bill of goods yet again?

As to "moderates", there is too much emphasis placed on empty labels. Do you realize these "moderates" vote with the "conservatives" in their party about 90% of the time (the same goes for "moderates" in our party as well, with the possible exception of Ben Nelson)? A lot of the faith that some of these senators would come to our rescue is based on faith in these empty labels.

[paulk]

1. what do you want the Dems to do?

What is not "caving in"?

I really would like to know what strategy you think is best, if the "moderates" stick with Bush.

[draft_mario_cuomo]

2. See this

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=3512789&mesg_id=3512789

[paulk]

7. then what?

what do you do when the funding bill doesn't pass?

how do you get around being accused of not funding the troops while they're engaged in a shooting war? What do you do when Bush keeps the troops there anyway?


what's the next part of this strategy?

[jmp]

8. "how do you get around being accused of not funding the troops"

How do you get accused of anything when the Republicans block the funding?

The only people making that case would be Bush and the GOP,and the only people that still listen to Bush is the Dems in Congress.

[jmp]

9. And why do you assume that ...

The GOP won't get blamed for abandoning the troops in Iraq without funding?

That would be a huge win for the Dems.

[paulk]

13. because the media will portray it as the Dems abandoning

the troops.

I also expect the left to blame the Dems, since they already are...

[jmp]

17. The media will blame us? Says you.

Funny that you believe that ... but don't seem to think that the Dems will be blamed when another 1000 US soldiers get killed due to the continued funding of that mess in Iraq.

And if the media is going to dump on the Dems no matter what ... why not do the right thing instead of the cowardly thing?

[paulk]

20. huh?

I don't have time for this nonsense.

This is the 2nd exchange I've had with you, where your main goal seems to be picking a fight....

I don't have much patience for this sort of thing in the real world, and even less in the virtual.

I'm putting you on ignore.

[jmp]

21. You seem to have ...

An endless number of excuses for caving in ... but not a one for putting up a fight.

[jmp]

3. I think Pelosi & Reid ...

Forgot to send those moderate Republicans a copy of the game plan. I'm sure a couple will swing over. Just enough to justify doing the same thing all over again. Probably for 6 months this time. Then we will really have them where we want them.

[rodeodance]

4. I do not think we were promised that they would convert.

[draft_mario_cuomo]

6. We were told some would, and if we got lucky, enough would

The theory was we would gradually peel off "moderates" and that would allow us to perhaps eventually, even if not in September but perhaps in 2008, reach 67 votes. Apparently we have not picked up any "moderates." Warner's statement was hyped but even he has not decided to vote for a timetable yet.

[spag68]

5. Nelson

is as moderate as Lieberman.

[sandnsea]

10. Nobody is pressuring them

They're getting to hide behind the 'betray us" bickering, along with the "defunding" crowd who will have as much success as they did when they were screaming "out now" 4 years ago.

"Over the horizon" was great when Murtha said it, but now that they see it takes real work to push a policy through Congress, and you need Republicans to do it - well oh hell no, we can't do anything if it means talking to a Republican.

[jmp]

11. Yeah, Pelosi & Reid would be kicking major ass ...

If not for those darn MoveOn ads. You can't do much in the face of that.

We need to give Bush another $150b to position ourselves to force a redeployment sometime in '08.

Iraq -----> Iran

Not that it will be OUR fault. That will be Bush's war too.

[sandnsea]

12. If WE were pressuring Republicans

Then people like Smith wouldn't be able to blather on about the general being effective. He'd be sitting in the corner of his office with his thumb in his mouth the way he ought to be.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2987548

[jmp]

14. There would be no Petraeus to hide behind ...

If the Dems hadn't compromised last time.

Funny how that works huh?

[draft_mario_cuomo]

16. Bingo!

It was largely Democrat who hyped Patraeus' report and testimony all summer. Look at where that has gotten us...

[sandnsea]

19. We'd be out of Iraq

if the left hadn't helped the media misrepresent Kerry in 2004 too. So what the hell good does that do.

We either deal with where we are today or have the war go on for at least 2 more years because it will take any Dem President 6 months to get the troops out as well.

[draft_mario_cuomo]

18. How exactly do we pressure them, especially since they know we will cave in the end? nt

[jwirr]

15. I think they have seen the handwriting on the wall and know they

are going to get beat in 08 no matter what they do. Many of them are no longer seeking another term and others are just too stubborn to change even though they know they are going to lose because of it. Since their actions will not change their outcome they will stick with their party. When they are no longer answering to the public they are very dangerous. The pug goal is truly to hand this mess over to their successors and hope they can escape the blame.