and once we've become the "junior badass" party,

[ulysses]

yipping "me too, me too!" in perfect unified harmony as the jackbooted heels of the Republicans disappear over the border into Syria, then what?

Even if we win (a dubious proposition at best - ask Max Cleland), what do we win? The opportunity to march on Iran so that we can continue proving what badasses the Democrats now are on foreign policy?

Feh.

[ulysses]

1. I'll take that as a "fuck if I know".

:thumbsup:

[FrenchieCat]

2. I think that your take is self defeating for Dems.....

You are stating that in order to be perceived as strong on National Security....we must play it the GOP's way....which is really your conclusion and a false choice that you have come up with.

It's a naysayer's proposition and doesn't really provide any solution...just instills fear that to beat them, we must be like them.

I think that Democrats must work on their approach to NS/FP and figure out how to make it work for them. They cannot cede this issue to GOP....and they also don't need to remake themselves as them.

You've seen this thread? I think so, cause you participated in it.
.....well you should now read it.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1787705

[ulysses]

4. ok, then.

If I've come up with a false choice, what am I missing?

just instills fear that to beat them, we must be like them.

Actually, I think that's coming from your camp, not mine.

I think that Democrats must work on their approach to NS/FP and figure out how to make it work for them.

Fine. How do you and Wes propose they/we do that?

[LittleClarkie]

3. No, showing we have credibility in national security

is as simple as remembering how Kerry kicked Bush across the stage in a debate that the Repubs thought would be his weakest.

Showing we have credibility in national security is reminding people how many chickenhawks are on their side, and how many veterans we have on our side.

Showing we have credibility in national security is putting those who are the go to people on our side in this field all over the media.

We don't change our message, and follow the Repubs over the hill. Why would that make us look stronger? It wouldn't. We'd look like lap dogs. We just repeat our message more simply and LOUDER!!! We already have the credibility. We just need to make sure people know that.

But how do you find a non-annoying way to keep repeating WE TOLD YOU SO!!

[ulysses]

5. you've just suggested replaying 2004.

All this time I've managed to avoid stepping in the 2004 replays, and yet here I am at long last.

The irony is that I've been trying to let myself like Clark - the fact that that he's anti-voucher is big with me. Can't go for the Dirty Harry tough guy approach, though.

[LittleClarkie]

6. I'm looking more for our own echo chamber

Just put our best people front and center all over the media, is all. Nobody has to oil up their man tits.

And if I'm talking about a replay of 2004, I'm only suggesting a replay of the good bits. The bits that were showing some promise. Kerry made headway with his speech at NY University, and in that first debate when people realized he could present clearly and logically his views.

That's all. No Dirty Harry. No Rambo. Just credible people speaking simply, directly and often.