Reply #15: This is a political document

[moggie12]

I think it will be used to bludgeon the Republicans. Dems don't have the votes to get Medicaid and other social agenda items on their own -- they're making the Repubs choose between supporting them or not. If the Repubs don't, they'll face the wrath of voters back home. Including the military proposals in there is a tactical tool I think -- asking for funding for more troops proves the point that Bush mishandled Iraq (e.g., underestimating troop requirements). It also shows Dems care more about the GI's than the Repubs (I think there's lots of armor requests in there, if I'm not mistaken). Including veterans funding as one of the 10 issues was a brilliant masterstroke I think. It's a "moral issue" as well as one that will get us more veterans votes in '06 and '08. This is a crafty piece of work from what I've seen -- they even have a funding request in there for new school buses for rural areas. See??!! Dems care!! And maybe more rural voters will vote Dem next time!

Check out the actual bills if you have time -- they're a thing of beauty in my mind at least (I want to win in '06 and '08 and this will help immensely in my opinion.)