Desperate Tactics from Desperate Democrats
Terry Trippany on Sep 01 2006 at 12:15 pm | Filed under: Feature Article, Politicians at Work
The Democrats are fighting back against Donald Rumsfeld while simultaneously ramping up their efforts to paint themselves as the party of choice on National Security.
Party Leaders Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi are positioning themselves out in front of microphones in anticipation of the September 11 anniversary. The fear is that Republicans are going to force them to take a stand on clarifying their support on the NSA wiretapping issue, the Patriot Act and upcoming legislation that puts the Gitmo detainee policy in line with the recent Supreme Court decision.
The Republican National Committee yesterday blasted Democrats again as “Defeatocrats,” and the attacks will continue when Congress returns next week from its month-long recess. Republican leaders plan to consider a full slate of security-related legislation before leaving on Sept. 29 for the campaigns.
The legislative calendars in the House and Senate include defense spending bills, the annual defense policy bill, legislation to authorize the National Security Agency’s warrantless wiretapping program and a measure to bring Bush’s military tribunals into compliance with a Supreme Court ruling that declared the initial tribunals unconstitutional.
The Democrat response will not include any actions or plans that are intended to bolster security. Rather they are planning to attempt a no-confidence vote on Rumsfeld in an effort led by Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Embarrasment – IL).
Front and center of that campaign may be the attack on Rumsfeld. Some Democratic House candidates, such as Diane Farrell in Connecticut’s 4th District, have been encouraging Democratic leaders to move formally for a vote of no confidence. And party leadership aides said they are canvassing Democratic members of Congress and exploring the parliamentary mechanism to do so. Before the move is set, the aides said, they want to hear from Democrats in tough races who may feel that the move would leave them vulnerable to Republican attacks.
But Emanuel said the move is set. And he hopes to stage the resolution with as many as 12 retired generals and other military officers who have called for Rumsfeld’s resignation.
“We’re going to go for a no-confidence vote on Rumsfeld,” Emanuel said.
Nancy Pelosi stuck to here script while displaying her lack of initiative by repeating the same tired one liner:
“We will not be Swift-boated on this issue,” House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said in an interview. “We will fight them on national security.”
Senator Harry Reid, the man who is supporting anti-War lefty Ned Lamont, is now showing his support of the troops.
“We are approaching 2,700 dead Americans, 20,000 wounded, many of them missing eyes, missing limbs, facing paralysis,” said Senate Minority Leader Harry M. Reid (Nev.). “They want to debate that; we’re happy to debate that.”
Strange how Democrat party leaders manage to take all sides of all issues; you will note that none of these statements include mention of a plan. But I will sum it up for you. Once again we are reminded that the Democrat plan for the future is simply more of the same opposition politicking that has helped bog the country down for the last six years. The true testament of their position on National Security will be how they vote in the upcoming legislative sessions. Anything else is meant to deflect the focus on their record.
