|
Back in May, I wrote a diary called "Getting Beyond the War," which you can read here http://www.bluehamps.... Its premise was that we cannot allow the war to hold up the rest of our agenda, we must push forward on it.
I was wrong.
The recent dustup between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama convinced me. That fight hurt both of them and the party, and she only made it worse with her so-called gaffe last week.
Here's what I want to see: a statement of Democratic unity on ending the war, including all the candidates. Then, the following should happen:
1. Begin withdrawal hearings as soon as Congress returns. "What do you need, general? How soon can we bring troops home while ensuring their safety as much as possible?" Clear the calendar of all other business, including the US attorney investigation. That can wait. Even if has to be dropped altogether, the war is the highest priority.
2. Once the date is set, pass the withdrawal bill. If it is vetoed, pass it again. Repeat as necessary.
3. Anticipate the GOP response, and say it first. "We know the president and his party will say we are cutting and running. But rather than listen to their insults, we are acting for the good of the country. Furthermore, we take the president at his word that Iraq is one battle in the larger war on terror, and we are withdrawing from Iraq before it's too late for us to win the war on terror."
4. Destroy the CIA to save it. Get CIA Director Michael Hayden up on the Hill. Acknowledge the importance of foreign intelligence in the broader war. Make him commit to a full accounting of the practice of extraordinary rendition, including who in the Bush administration (or Clinton's if we have to go there) authorized it. Make him publicly commit to ending the practice. If he refuses, schedule a no confidence vote. If he leaves, find the new director from within the demoralized rank and file of the CIA. Do not allow the new director to be confirmed without a commitment to at least relative transparency. We know "sources and methods" cannot be discussed, but like Ford's ban on assassinations, some restrictions can be imposed on the CIA.
5. Issue a statement confirming the Democratic Party's support of the global war on terror. (Bear with me here.) Something like this: "Our policy is that we will pay any price and bear any burden to keep Americans safe. We recognize that abuses have been committed. We pledge to end those abuses, and we pledge to work with our allies to capture and disable terror networks who threaten civil society. Furthermore, we welcome help in this effort. It's time for the 'coalition of the willing' to live up to its name."
This last part is the trickiest. I don't think we can credibly say "OK, war over, we're going home." I leave it to better minds to think of exactly what we say, but I see three basic legs of this triangle:
- We were elected to end the war, and we haven't done it.
- The hawkishness of the American people, when it comes to catching terrorists, cannot be overestimated. Remember, the Abu Ghraib story broke in 2003, BEFORE Bush was reelected. Therefore, we can't end the war without pledging to protect them - but we can do it in accordance with American ideals.
- "The terrorism card," however phony and hypocritical, has worked every time. We need to drive the agenda, not enable Bush's agenda.
Any thoughts?
|
Blue Hampshire RSS