Screw the Moderate Republicans

[tbyg52]

By Cenk Uygur
Created Sep 14 2007 - 9:17am

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.

snip

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.

The way the Democrats have handled this so far, it seems that they are responsible for getting us out of Iraq. But in reality, it is the Senate Republicans who are responsible because they are blocking real action on withdrawal. Why not highlight this? Why would you take responsibility for Republican failure?

This is Politics 101. Why would you let your opponent have political cover and take heat from your own constituents for caving in? Why not instead pass a real bill and put tremendous pressure on your opponents to come around to your position?

More:
http://www.smirkingchimp.com/node/9924/print