How much stronger are Repubs than Democrats on "national security"?

[kentuck]

Let's just put it out on the table.

That's supposed to be the conventional wisdom we are supposed to believe. I personally think it's a big ol' pile of bullshit but that's just me. I see incompetence from every angle I look at the Republicans. From the lies about the war, to underestimating the number of troops needed, to the lack of command at Abu Graib torture chambers, to the lack of protective vests for the troops, to the election that put the Hamas in charge, and on and on. I see total incompetence. I don't feel safer. I feel the world is more unsafe. I don't mind them lying so much but stop trying to make me believe it..

[napi21]

1. I think the Dems have aquired the rep for being soft because

they believe in negotiation and diplomacy before committing troops to solve any situation.

I don't think that's soft, but there are quite a few people who do.

Apparently, the people who feel that way believe in the shoot first ask questions later theory.

I'm not sure how to change their minds.

[blm]

2. Reps were ALWAYS complicit - BushInc trained terrorists and funded 'em

for years, PROTECTING THEM from Kerry's investigations into IranContra and especially BCCI.

Did any GOPer even read The New War in 1997 that WARNED about the international funding of terrorism?

[mike_c]

3. they can be as "strong" as they want....

I do not believe "national security" is a real issue-- it's a smoke screen for inducing obedience by mass fear and hysteria. DEMOCRATS SHOULD NOT PLAY THAT GAME. Let the republican party rule the "national security" issue. Going there is like being an opposition politician in Nazi Germany and feeling compelled to have a position on "the Jewish problem."

[kentuck]

7. You may be right mike_c ...

Perhaps the best thing for the Democrats to do at this time is to put the Dubai issue on the back burner and not talk about it. Because the more they talk about it, the more the media and the Repubs will spin it as the brainchild of some brave Republicans, when in fact, those Repubs would never have broached the subject if a few brave Democrats hadn't made an issue of it. They would have let the deal go thru, for better or worse.

So, perhaps the best thing for the Democrats to do is put the issue on the back burner and then turn up the heat about 4-5 days from election day and watch them squirm trying to defend it?

[phiddle]

8. I've got another take: We should hammer these issues

(Karl Rove's signature tactic is to attack the enemy's strength. I say give 'm a dose of their own medicine.)
The arguments go like this:
1. Bush and the repub Congress got all Ds and Fs from the 9/11 commision on security issues. We should wave the report card at every opportunity and sieze the territory, insisting that the areas the commision addressed (port security, airline security, chem and nuclear plants, etc,) should be funded, and introduce legislation to do so. The argument is that they've wasted too much time enriching Republican donors to secure the country.

2. They're doing the wrong things in the name of security: inspecting more cargo secures America, wiretapping citizens without a warrant doesn't; guarding infrastucture enhances security, torturing detainees doesn't, etc.

3. Selling nuclear technology to a violator of the non-proliferation agreement (India) does not help our security.

Back up each of these with legislative initiatives, and we take big chunks of the security vote away from them.

[Daylin Byak]

4. Some people say that repukes are stronger

cause most of them are for NSA wiretapping and the patriot act and were not but that's because we want to protect peoples rights and privacy.

[buddysmellgood]

5. How much stronger are Democrats than Republicans on "national security"

fiscal responsibility, sustainability.
That's the question to ask.

[mtowngman]

6. Not to mention security here at home

after their whole campaign of fear in 2004, if you look at the election map, you'll notice that the states most likely to be attacked by foreign terrorists were blue (N.Y. Ca.). It's easier for middle America to support a cowboy jumping up and down yelling "bring it on". Those of us more at risk are like "get rid of this idiot before they do bring it on - again".
All in mid America who voted Dem.-no offense.

[FrenchieCat]

9. Republicans are incredibly weak on security......But

They are excellent in Marketing and have great friends in powerful places (media).

The whole myth started back shortly after the Vietnam war....The Dems were painted as the protestors, and the Repugs as the Protectors.

In truth Diplomacy and the art of persuation are gifts that are much more fruitful in avoiding war, which is what one should want. Talking shit and bullying is what the Repugs offer instead. It's like the bully at school who is seen as being the one you want as your friend....when in reality, it is the bully that you are most afraid of....and the bully who is the coward if it wasn't for his size.

[flaminbats]

10. Republicans are stronger when making a sales pitch...

Bush and his people were terrified that Democrats would kick their sorry asses for letting 9/11 happen. Democrats kicked Republican tail in the 40's by taking the more hawkish position on WWII and during Korea. They thought this would work during Vietnam...but it didn't! Democrats successfully linked rationing and higher tax rates to patriotism during WWII, everyone needed to give more to help win the war!

Republicans say voters don't need to sacrifice anything to be patriotic. They say greed is a sign of hard work or success. Republicans claim that this mess they've made in Iraq is just another reason to vote for them.

I agree..this GOP lie gets old after a while. But if 9/11 had happened under Carter or Clinton, how long before Republicans would have pinned our party with the blame?

[kentuck]

11. So very very true....

9/11 would have been hung around Democrats necks for generations to come...as symbolic of their weakness on national security...

[opihimoimoi]

12. 9/11, Katrina, and Mangos for Nukes are symbols of The Pubs ineptness

for security.

They are making it worse to defend America, not safer...