Screw the Moderate Republicans

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. The conventional wisdom is that you need 60 votes for withdrawal right now. But that's not true. I'd rather have 60 votes on an actual withdrawal bill three months from now than 60 votes for a useless bill that "urges" the president to withdraw with "non-binding" legislation.

Non-binding is crap. It's pointless and the Democrats shouldn't even consider it for a nanosecond. It won't make a bit of difference in swaying Bush. It won't lead to an actual withdrawal.

The Democrats seem to be panicking because they feel like they have to get results now. But non-binding legislation with fuzzy "goals" is no action at all. They'd have to be crazy to think it is. We're not that stupid that we would get fooled into thinking Democrats took real action by urging the president to do the right thing.

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?

This is good politics, but much more importantly, it is also good policy. The so-called moderate Republicans cannot stand another three months of twisting out in the wind getting killed in the polls while Iraq burns. They will cave. But you have to put the right amount of pressure on them. For once, can Democrats see if their opponents will buckle before they do?

Note to Senate Democrats: you have nothing to lose with this strategy. You will seem principled and strong, you will put your opponents in a corner -- and you will eventually get the result that you want. What is not possible today will be possible tomorrow if you play your cards right.

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Comments

[Pyrum]

I have a better plan. Impeach Bush and Cheney!

[Dap]

Dear Brother Cenk,

They (the DLC Democrats) have been with the President all along, they (the Democratic Party leardership) have no intention to change course, they too believe that this course Bush has set is a proper one, which needs little correction.

I'm sorry to say you're talking to wind, my friend. Agape.

[SONWABO MDA]

Cenk Uygur is correct to state that he would rather have 60 votes on an actual troop withdrawal bill than 60 votes on a useless bill. During the 20006 Congressional elections Democrats promised that if voted into power they would, as a matter of highest priority, work towards the goal of withdrawing the American troops from Iraq. But since taking power there is not the slightest indication that they are anywhere near realizing that solemn undertaking.

After taking over both houses of Congress, the Democrats had a huge political momentum that gave them a strategic intitiative which they squandered when they capitulated to the White House by passing a bill funding the war in Iraq, but stripped of the timeline for troop withdrawal. Since the surrender, which strengthened President Bush's hand, the Democratic momentum has been on a downward spiral, and hastening the momentum further down has been the positive reports pertaining to the war. However discredited these reports may be, quite a sizable segment of the public is sold on them on the strength of the unmatched conservative propaganda, and in the absence of contrarian Progressive refutations. In the circumstances it is important to ask: how then do Democrats regain their lost momentun. The answer to this is to be found in the legislative process where the Democratic capitulation triggered the reversal of their political fortunes in the first place and elevated the appearance of impotence on their part. The Democrat's conduct of their legislative business should not be dictated by their fear of the presidential veto. They must pass the bill with the timeline included and let the president veto it. By so doing so doing he will have vetoed the funding for the troops and thus concomittantly accountable before the American people. It is difficult to understand why Democrats are so much afraid to confront the president.

[INQUIRER]

A "moderate" Republican is one who hasn't voted in the last half hour. Lying is one of the basic qualifications to be a Republican, although delusion can be substituted on occasion. Cheating and stealing are also prominent qualifications.

[Justtellthetruth]

Who are you kidding? The politicians are simply taking their marching orders from the party brass, and the brass wants the war to go on, bases to be built, and a war with Iran as well.

Look at hillary. She has said explicitly that she will keep a substantial number of troops in Iraq. She takes huge donations from and totally Backs the hawks at AIPAC and is aligned with the furthest right wing not jobs that Israel has to offer.

She vehemently backed the war in Lebanon, which was a disasterous mistake on the same par with Iraq.

They are not chicken. They WANT to see the country break into multiple parts, they want to see US bases in the Kurdish section, and they want war with Iran.

[nancytheragingliberal]

Cenk, Right, they had this opportunity two months ago, cowered, and blew their chance. They will continue to cower because that is what they do best. I love your solution and the reason they won't use it is because they are, as the kids I teach will say, "I'm ascared." The Dems are "ascared." They are always "ascared." This is why they will lose the two houses the American people so graciously gave them, and then the Presidency in 2008. They can never get their act together. Ever.

[zjr909]

Here's a strategy I bet no one has thought of: if the Republicans end the war. Just imagine: their dream of a permanent majority would come to fruition. And the Dems would NEVER again enjoy a majority of anything. Wouldn't that be a hoot: pull the rug right out from under the Dems while they're busy picking their noses to try and find a way to end the war without actually having to end it. Ah, but the Repubs have no imagination, do they? Ideology trumps absolute political victory every time with them. Oh, well. Back to the drawing board. The Repubs won't end the war; the Dems refuse to end the war. Hey, I got it: how about the taxpayers end the war. Just might work.

[theroc5156]

Ha. What a joke your idea is. You actually think the GOP will "cry uncle"??? No. They aren't like the weak-kneed Dems. The GOP will filibuster it again and again for months. As you submit the same bill asking for "12 months", you have really made it more than 12 months with all the GOP filibusters. Ultimately, when they do bring the troops home, you can then fool yourselves into thinking it was you that brough them home.

[RobertPaul]

Cenk
Good post.
Great idea.

Two words...

Signing Statement

Think about it.

[mommadona]

"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."

And HERE'S A THOUGHT - have Harry Reid step down and have a REAL 'spokesperson' who can ARTICULATE and FOCUS.

[Iscarius]

You're assuming the Democrats WANT to stop the war.

[Boadicea]

"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?"

Amen. It's time to re-frame this whole thing. The MSM has been framing it as Democratic capitulation, in order to soften support for Dems in '08.

I say let's call it what it is - the Republicans' desire for perpetual war, war without end. That's what Republicans want. That's how they're voting. They want never-ending war in the Middle East, with all our tax dollars going to it indefinitely.

Your post re strategy is smart, it's not hateful, it's right. Would Dems at some point finally have to send a bill that would be veto-proof? Probably. Would Republicans ever cry uncle? NO. They won't. It's not in them.

But a stand must be made, for lots of good reasons.

How to I recommend this blog so it stays on the front page?

[jm8094]

Cenk, You're one the best bloggers on HuffPo. If the Dems had even ONE of your cojones, we wouldn't be in this mess. Keep poundin' em'.

[Wilbur]

One reason that the Dems think that they have to get results NOW is because people like you have been, until NOW, telling them that they HAD to get results NOW! NOW...you're telling them that they have some leeway in getting to their final goal. Hmmm, just what I and others who've been dismissed here as "partisan hacks" having been saying for the last several months. Nice to see that you've had the scales removed from your eyes!

Wilbur

[Boadicea]

Ditto. What Wilbur said.

The MSM has framed this situation as Democratic capitulation, to soften Democratic support in 08. We fell for it.

It's Republican blocking, for political reasons. They'll let our soldiers keep dying, for political reasons.

Time to out these Republican pretenders.

[TexasDem0]

Cenk, thank you. That"s exactly what I have been saying for a long time. Vote on a meaningful bill. Send it to Gee Dubya and let him veto it. Let the country see exactly where the GOP puts its loyalty. The last several years have shown us that they have ignored their sworn oath of office, "to protect and defend The Constitution of The United States¦" Instead, they provide cover for this criminal administration while the media look the other way.