I Will Be PISSED if the Dems "Run On Katrina."

[Dr. Jones]

This morning I heard that the Democrats may focus on the Katrina failures as a key platform. What a MISTAKE!! A HUGE MISTAKE!

Yes, it was a disaster. A failure. A broken promise. And Bush lied as usual. And many died as a result.

But look at what else we have on Bush! You have heard it said that Bush's entire Presidency rests on the outcome of the Iraq war. "As goes Iraq, so goes the Bush Presidency."

Folks, Iraq is a MESS! We went in there for a LIE! Bush originally said WMDs, then Saddam was a bad man and we had to oust him, and THEN a grand plan to bring them democracy! What a flipflopper. Executive Order #13303 giving American oil companies carte blanche permission to steal Iraq's oil with no legal repercussions; illegal wiretapping on American citizens; leaking classified information; trying to sell our port operations to the UAE which has in the past financed terrorism and from which country half the 9/11 hijackers flew to the U.S. to carry out the attacks; deep involvement in the Abramoff scandal....folks, we have SO MUCH MORE than just Katrina to run on.

Dems - DON'T BE STUPID! Focus on Iraq and Bush's failures in the war on terror. Tell the American people how Bush failed in Iraq and what YOU would do to fix it. You have GOT to keep your focus and hit Bush and the Repugs where it hurts - and man, that would hurt, because the American people are already beginning to at least question the whole thing.

[Bluebear]

1. So will the Republicans. nt

[mac56]

2. And they reason they can't do both is ..... what?

nm

[ray of light]

7. the common bond between Katrina and Iraq

is DEATH and callousness and the murder of citizens of the USA without remorse and without a plan and their complete lack of competency. Their warmongering has hurt our own national security and Katrina's response show it. Their placement of cronys without regard to competence has harmed our national securty.

Hell yes, they should run on both!!!

[Dr. Jones]

8. They could MENTION Katrina as an example of corruption and Repug failure,

but don't focus on it. The report I heard this morning indicated that the Dems would use Katrina as their main platform.

My point is this. Bush's baby is Iraq. But it's going poorly and everyone can see that. So it just makes so much more sense to hit Bush were it hurts, and hit the Repugs hard on the fact that their policies in Iraq and on the war on terror simply aren't working, and that the Dems have a better plan.

[Horse with no Name]

11. You didn't get the memo?

We have no ideas and can only focus on one issue at a time.
:popcorn:

[davhill]

3. A lot of Leading Democrats supported the War

Some still do. They only criticize the way it was conducted.

[babylonsister]

4. Can't they run on both? Americans saw the effects of Katrina

and how the government bungled the aftermath so totally. I fear this summer will be no different.
And I agree, the war is the main issue, and this admin's failure to admit any mistakes just prolongs it. But if we base running solely on the war, and they start pulling troops out prior to the elections (IMO the sooner the better), then what?
I think both issues are valid and should be concentrated on; it's been said many times, we can walk and chew gum.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

5. I don't think you're right at all.

Katrina, much more than Iraq, exposed innumerable flaws in Bush's domestic policy over the last 6 years. We still aren't polling that much better than Republicans when it comes to national security, even if we are significantly better than we were. Bush's Iraq flaws only open us up to significantly promote how much better we are on everything else. Plus, rather than just saying we're against the war on Iraq, we get the opportunity to show OUR plan for fixing this country and promote an agenda that has us moving forward on all front, and not just one.

[Dr. Jones]

13. One thing I can say...

If Bush couldn't protect us after Katrina, how the hell could he protect us in the event of another terrorist attack.

Point taken, but I still say we should go for the jugular and nail Bush squarely and unapologetically on the Iraq war.

[bluerum]

6. Katrina is just one nail in the domestic policy failures coffin. nt

[dmkinsey]

9. Somebody will be pissed

no matter what the Dems do.
We have to tie this election to *. "Nationalize" it.
The problem is that it's a Congressional election and even though polls indicate voters are unhappy with the Republican Congress they may keep their own Republican Representative.

Also, I'll be super surprised if Dems come out with a Big Plan platform. I would expect a few big themes that can be incorporated into the campaigns of the individual candidates based on their own ideas of what will work in their own district.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

14. Then you didn't see Kennedy on the Daily Show.

Expect to be "super surprised" come September.

[Bridget Burke]

10. Where did you hear the Dems will run on Katrina?

Why do you think Bush's nonexistent preparation & response to the disaster should ignored by our candidates?

Most of us can multi-task. Perhaps the Iraq War is the #1 issue. But money spent on Iraq would have been better spent doing the work everyone knew was needed to protect NOLA--or to help rebuild the Gulf Coast.

From there, we mention the other things being neglected by the War(s) & Bush's tax cuts for his super-rich pals. You know, the environment, education, health care, jobs.

Katrina is certainly not the only issue. But it is one that hits home to many living down here. Many Republicans will be PISSED if we dare mention Katrina.

[Dr. Jones]

17. I'm on your side, it shouldn't be IGNORED per se, but

the Dems should not make Katrina they're one and only issue. It only makes sense to me to hit Bush where he is most vulnerable - Iraq and the war on terror. He's goofed both up tremendously and it's costing us dearly. Our deficits, military deaths, ongoing problems in Iraq, and of course the lies Bush ed to get us into this war - all these things have been literally handed to Dems to exploit.

Illegal wiretapping, UAE ports deal, corruption, all are gifts handed to Dems and I simply hope they focus on these issues rather than simply going back to an old (but valid) argument.

Not to discount Katrina and its aftermath. Not to discount the suffering of the people and Bush the Asshole's criminal negligence. All I'm saying is let's hit Bush where it hurts, at a time when more Americans are questioning Bush and the war.

[mtnsnake]

23. You didn't answer her question. Where'd you hear that Dems will focus on

Katrina?

[Dr. Jones]

31. This morning, on NBC Today Show.

I think it was Russert that said this.

[Name removed]

12. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Dr. Jones]

15. Yo Sasquatch - (or Yetti, or just "The Big Hairy Dude...")

You really are mistaken...I'm not at all who you say I am...:)

[Bluestar]

16. Surely they have polled on this

I don't care WHAT they run on, just pick something (there is so much to pick from) and drive it home and win this time!

They may be very smart by picking Katrina. The American people have shown that they don't get aroused until something actually affects them, not someone in a foreign country. We can blow up innocent people half a world away and they don't react. But Katrina hit home for many--the graphic images on TV with Americans thinking "that could be me and my city". New Orleans is still a fetid mess and the images would be haunting. Katrina also showed many that this administration can't (or won't) protect us here at home during any type of emergency, terrorist or natural disaster. I have to wonder if they have polled on this and found it is the hot-button issue.

[KittyWampus]

21. Actually, the Democrats didn't "pick Katrina" the opening poster has no

citations and is pulling this out of the air.

The Democrats have a 5 Point Plan that includes Universal Health Care, Funding for Science/Technology etc.

Saying the Democrats are going to "run on Katrina" was/is a GOP talking point.

[Bridget Burke]

27. Thanks. I'd seen no indication the Dems were going to

"run on Katrina."

Here in Texas, the Republicans have taken some hits for Katrina & Rita (a smaller storm that destroyed parts of East Texas). I'm sure they would LOVE the Democrats to forget it.

[Dr. Jones]

36. Once again I will tell you

that I did hear this on NBC Today Show and I believe Timmy Russert was the one who said it. Man, I just hate these types of accusations. I never really considered it as a GOP talking point, just something I heard this morning. That's all.

[Dr. Jones]

32. I disagree, with respect...

Katrina was a disaster and a Bush failure, for sure. And the tragedy cannot be discounted. However, Katrina did not hit every U.S. citizen directly, but only hit those on the Gulf Coast. And quite frankly, many folks will find it "old news."

Now the Repubs have a weakness, which is Iraq. It is the main weakness that could topple the Repub stranglehold on Congress. We should use this opportunity to drive it home that Bush has failed us in Iraq and has failed to keep within Constitutional limits.

[Ganja Ninja]

18. I have a feeling that after this summer we'll have more storms

than Katrina to run on. We have a whole hurricane season before election day in November. What if we have a category 5 storm hit Washington DC or Miami or Tampa or Houston or New Orleans again? What if more than one city gets hit? Can you picture Bush's response to the next storm(s) being any better than his response to the last ones?
Iraq and Katrina are tied together. The money we are spending in Iraq is money we could have to spend right here to help the victims of all the natural disasters. Pointing out the fact that suffering Americans are being ignored so Bush can fight his lie based war is a real issue the Dem's can and will win on in November.

[iconoclastNYC]

19. I think it's a 1....2 combination.

Incompetence

Exhibit A - Iraq
Exhibit B - Katrina
Exhibig C - Osama still alive

[KittyWampus]

20. Domestic Issues Are Of Prime Importance. Thank God You're Not A Strategist

and raising the failure to lead and protect during Katrina helps us bring up the failures to secure our country here and abroad.

Please cite where you heard the Democrats will "run on Katrina". Because as you posted it, you're repeating a GOP talking point.

[Dr. Jones]

33. Yeah right, I'm repeating a GOP talking point

:eyes:

I heard this on NBC Today Show - I believe it was Tim Russert that said it.

Go ahead. Go out and ask people what their most important issue is. Guarantee you they will tell you the most important issue of the day is terrorism and keeping our country safe and keeping our children safe. That's because the Repubs have used this fear weapon to manipulate the masses. Why do you think Bin Laden creeps up every time Bush's numbers go down? Think about it!

In order to counter this, we really do need to hit Bush where it hurts. Criticize him! Tell the country why Bush is wrong and Repub policy is wrong, and tell the country what the DEMS would do better. Focus on how Bush has bungled Iraq and how we Democrats can do better.

[mac56]

35. Tim Russert?!

:rofl:

And he represents the Democrats ... how?

[Atman]

22. It isn't running on Katrina, per se

It is actually using Katrina as one example of BushCo's incompetence that hits right here, and is an adjunct to Bush's claims that he is keeping the voter safe by waging war in Iraq. If he can't even keep Americans safe from a predictable and predicted natural disaster, with weeks of warning, how on earth will he keep them safe from terrorists, or respond in a timely manner should an attack come, or even another natural disaster.

Remember, Iraq is a long way away for many Americans. New Orleans could be their town. There is validity in this strategy, as long as it's done properly, as a prime example of Bush's failed leadership and lies when he says he'll protect the citizenry.

[noamnety]

24. It's the same issue

The corrupt privileged few profiting while screwing over the people whose lives hang in the balance.

soldiers
Iraqi civilians
Katrina victims
seniors
those without health care
etc.

[RaleighNCDUer]

25. That's all true -- only the difference is

no democrats voted for Katrina. Nearly all democrats voted (as spun by repubs) for Iraq.

We know that what the dems wanted was a credible threat - a gigantic bluff. Some of us, however, knew that * wasn't bluffing and he was going to use the vote to attack Iraq, which he did claiming majoriy democratic support.

We need to run on Iraq, but we need to be ready for the "you voted for it before you voted against it" attacks - and that is going to be messy. Katrina sounds safer, on the surface.

[uppityperson]

26. Katrina failure is the starting point. People saw the disconnect

between what was being said and what was actually happening. They saw and heard that the administration was lying and don't have a plan of what they are doing. It is a starting point to add the Iraq war and everything else into. Don't worry, they will not focus on only 1 thing, but will use this failure to lead into others.

[RethugAssKicker]

28. I agree only because I don't think most White AMericans

really care what happened in Katrina.... That subject just doesn't stir that much emotion.

[Dr. Jones]

34. With regret, I agree.

n/t

[Rocknrule]

29. They'd never let Dems get away with it anyway

Only Repubs have the right to use tragedies for political gain!
:sarcasm:

[LoZoccolo]

30. I think they should run on several things.

"Running on Katrina" is really no more than showing that the Republicans' plans for weak government can fail you, and that the social Darwinist views of a lot of the rank-and-file, as evidenced by the right-wing talk show hosts' reactions to it, are disgusting and dangerous.

But I would expect them to run on several things. If they ran on one thing it would be too easy for the Republicans to counter-strategize as they would only have one target. And most Americans are dissatisfied with the handling of the war in Iraq to begin with.

[Neil Lisst]

37. here's a secret: You run on whatever is hot with voters.

If it's Katrina, then that's what Dems will run on. Of course, it won't be Katrina. It may be the general incompetence that Katrina represented, and probably will.

Voters are tired Bush's whole routine. As long as Dems don't completely blow it, voters will move to us.