What's Next for the Anti-War Movement?

Here's MoveOn's plan: After consulting with MoveOn members, we're about to launch an aggressive new campaign to bring our troops home as soon as possible.

More Americans than ever oppose the war. Yet all the major contenders for the Republican nomination support it, and Congress is unable or unwilling (or both) to take President Bush to task.

So, we're moving forward with a three-pronged strategy.

First, our spring and summer campaign focused on giving Republicans who supported the war a choice between ending it and feeling the wrath of their constituents. They've now cast their lot with President Bush, and it's our job to make sure that they get booted by voters next November. And we need to make clear that it's bigger than that: their willingness to give the president the votes he needs to continue the war puts their party into a political death spiral that will doom it for a generation. A growing number of congressional Republicans have already gotten the message and have chosen to retire.

Second, we will have to build an anti-Iraq war Democratic caucus on the Hill that finally stands up to Bush by blocking his funding requests unless they include a binding and timely plan to exit Iraq. We will even launch primary challenges to some Congressional Democrats who continue to be out of step with their constituents on this issue. We consider it our job to help produce more than a merely Democratic majority. We want an anti-war majority in 2008.

Third, we will have to make sure that the next president leads us out of Iraq as expeditiously as possible. Republican presidential aspirants have been unwilling to break with the President on Iraq, and some continue to be his most ardent cheerleaders. We will work to ensure that none of them has any chance to win election without reversing his stance. Democratic presidential hopefuls have pledged to end the war if elected but they must be unequivocal in their commitments to remove all U.S. troops within eighteen months of taking office.

Politicians who believe false media reports that claim the anti-war movement is shifting gears, or lost momentum, do so at their own peril. We are energized, organized, committed and ready for this historic election year.

Comments

[HearNoWeasel]

Hi Eli,
I entirely agree that "war Dems" must be thrown out of Congress. It's probably the best use of the access you have to voters: Make them aware of Dem incumbants who have supported the war and their anti-war challengers.

Also, please join efforts with Codepink, Cities for Peace, AfterDowningStreet, etc., for anti-war rallies in March.

[Purple Girl]

Oh Honey the Dems still have you drinking Koolaid- they have helped Pave this Path with their votes- esp the 'top candiates' Ginger and Fred in perfect sync.
You can't be so trusting- that's why we are, where we are. Since Nov '06 the Dems have done nothing but push it forward.
Using the instuctions from US to wipe their asses.
They have sacrificed lives, resources, safety adn reputation so they had something to use in their campaigns. But what is more disgusting and curious is that they have not actually fought agains the agenda- In fact most plan to continue it at least to 2013. this shift is rather disconcerting considering we SENT THEM Originaly to get US out- they now have no intentions of doing so regardless. and we are suppose to be 'ok' with THEIR DECSIONS WHEN IT COMES TO OUR DEMOCRACY! This is some twisted shit!!
Granted this crap has been going on for decades- bu tI still don't recognize the country I was born into only 44 yrs ago- what the hell has been slippedinto our water system- we have become either intellectually comastose, philosophically catotonic or we've lost the Democracy quite some time ago. I'm guessin the later.
Four horseman of the 'Apocalypse',1) Unfettered Gov't powers, 2)Captiolism & Corporationism as soveriegn and influencial global entities,3) Zealot indoctinations promoting fear, judgement and damnation,4) Mass Marketing all 'commodities' including Humans and their 'futures'. We are the Product and the Consumer (insistitutionized Cannabilism).
Only horseman left for US is 'Ethic' and on his horse 'Morals'. Ethics must guide our morals. They must work together through the reins of Compassion and Stewardship.

CAVE ADSUM
I CONFIDO

[jsarets]

First, this isn't a war, it's an occupation. Second, there will never be security in Iraq so long as we maintain a visible military presence. However, if we screw up the withdrawal as badly as we screwed up the post-war strategy, we will face severe national security and economic issues.

What's next for the anti-"war" movement? Start calling it the pro-diplomacy movement. The conventional wisdom that we can stand down when the Iraqi forces stand up is absolutely wrong. We can only stand down if we step up our diplomacy. Diplomacy displaces violence.

MoveOn and other "anti-war" movements are making the wrong demands. We shouldn't be trying to impose withdrawal timetables unless we also have a diplomatic strategy to displace our troop presence. As Joe Biden says, the most important question in foreign policy is "and then what?". We pull the troops out... and then what?

We get it. MoveOn is *against* the war. So are most Americans. But what is MoveOn *for*? What does MoveOn suggest we do, in lieu of military presence, to keep the tremors along the various fault lines in the Muslim World from erupting into a major earthquake?

Iraq does not exist in a vacuum. The whole Muslim World, from Casablanca to Bali, is embroiled in an internal debate about diplomacy vs. violence as a means of conflict resolution. America must ensure that diplomacy prevails. That's the Democratic definition of "victory". If we just pull out, violence will win.

(continued...)

[research]

It's a WRESTLING MATCH!

It's got the MOD SQUAD lineup. Newly converted to Kucinich's lifelong gospel of populism, Edwards, the Liar...er lawyer, blocking the Kucinich votes, Hillary , Queen of the Clinton Dynasty, first female president, wow, then Obama the multicultural man, brings the heartfelt renditions of Hope and Unity. Of course the rethugs race is more colorful then clowns in a phone booth!

All Dem candidates are thick with the PNAC.info and DLC.org crowd and credo: “we have a big military stick, and we're going to use it” ...to make the world safer!!! of course, what did you think I meant.

So If you like the constant maximum use of war, invasion and occupation, like the military funded corporations do, why then you'll just love our three DLC.ORG candidates.

Meanwhile Kucinich plays the fool, the only candidate appealing to our intelligence and enlightened self interest, not just our heart strings. He really had no choice in the way the media cast him. Only the Media Barons get to choose the candidate's roles. Like a wrestling match, the “loser” can win over the audience like Dennis does, but unlike the wrestling matches, Kucinich got kicked off the stage, because the Media Barrons don't want to give up the POWER that BushCo has given the Media Conglomerations The DLC.ORG lackeys did as told.

[milo9]

Eli, I hope you and your crew read these comments. I respond to MoveOns petition drives and send money from time to time.

We're coming up on something that epitomises what should be done to reduce the Administration's power. The Senate under Harry Reid's leadership is bound and determined to give immunity to the telecoms who broke the law at President Bush's bidding. I'm older than dirt and I've never encountered anything that is so in your face corrupt.

There should be an all out effort to halt this headlong slide into malfeasance. I'll quote Glenn Greenwald's recent piece "Lawbreaking Telecoms Still Conniving to Obtain Immunity from Congress"

"...immunity would be a complete evisceration of the rule of law, bizarrely protecting telecoms from the consequences of their lawbreaking and putting an end to any real hope for investigating and obtaining accountability for years of illegal spying on Americans by the Bush administration. When you put all of that together, telecom immunity embodies every form of lawlessness and corruption which are destroying our political culture — everything that the Democratic presidential candidates endlessly claim in pretty speeches they are committed to fighting."

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/01/17/6425/

This is something that could be coming up as early as January 22.

Although MoveOn is currently silent, the ACLU is launching a petition drive at this url:

https://secure.aclu.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=Reid_FISA_petition3&s_s=AO&JServSessionIdr003=7v5om3p342.app23a

Eli, a successful effort could yield some serious dividends.

[RepublicanBrain]

Perhaps you should leave the war to people who know more about war then you do. Pulling out prematurely only creates a power vacuum to be filled by the next despot.

As Winston Churchill said, "The greatest argument against democracy is a five minute discussion with the average voter." People want the war to end, but they have no idea how to do it. You don't want Big Oil delivering your climatology reports, yet you're fine with Joe Schmoe ending a war.

[cognate]

All the leading Democratic and Republican candidates are for continuing the war. So is most of Congress and the media.

Look out Muslims of the world! You will be re-educated or eradicated.

Ha, ha.

[Roose]

Well if the polls are correct, we will not only be in Iraqnam and Afghanistan but Iran too. Hill the Hun in 08.

[rh654]

Americans have moved on beyond the Iraq War.

It may not be popular but it is no longer the top issue that people are worried about at all.

The economy is now front stage.

Unless something huge happens in Iraq that is a new major event - it won't be much a voting issue in 2008.

[leftLibertarian]

There is only one Democratic Party candidate who is clearly anti-war and that is Mr. Kucinich.

Since he is not doing very well, I guess that most Democrats are not against the war but merely against how Bush is managing it.

[moderate1]

"First, our spring and summer campaign focused on giving Republicans who supported the war a choice between ending it and feeling the wrath of their constituents. "

Why just Republicans, why not Democrats? Some of them have failed to end the war, that they voted for, as well. I love the tenor of this post though. Do what we say, or else. Perfect microcosm of American political action groups. Totally self serving, couldn't care less about other issues or the greater good...only interested in their cause even if it is to the detriment of all else.

[DietrichMoody]

What's Next for the Anti-War Movement?

(in the key of McCain's bomb Iran)

BLOG BLOG BLOG BLOG AB0UT IRAN

BLOG BLOG BLOG BLOG AB0UT IRAQ

BLOG BLOG BLOG BLOG AB0UT AFGHANISTAN

"we will have to build an anti-Iraq war Democratic caucus on the Hill that finally stands up to Bush by blocking his funding requests"

Well, by the time you get your anti-war movement off the computer there will be a new president.

[RTIII]

Eli,

I think MoveOn made a crutial mistake in confusing what the mid-term election was really all about. What the people REALLY wanted was impeachment, not so much out of the war. THINKABOUTIT...

[mommadona]

OK...let's get this right this time.

Let's drop the "hippie" baggage and let's move this into real adult action.

This war is ALL ABOUT BIG BUSINESS AS USUAL.
That should be the driving force to any actions:

NO MORE BUSINESS AS USUAL.

I would consult with the very viable and active groups in Europe that seem to be able to mobilize thousands at the drop of a hat, with striking and well-placed banners and posters inna heartbeat.

Italy
France
Germany

They KNOW the power of timing and pinpointing of energy.

NO MORE BUSINESS AS USUAL.

Let's shut down K-Street and BUSHCO.

NO MORE BUSINESS AS USUAL.

Get out those walking shoes, dust off that sign, and get out there...feet on the ground.

NO MORE BUSINESS AS USUAL UNTIL OUR WONDERFUL MILITARY IS HOME AND DOING WHAT THEY DO BEST - DEFENSE. IT ISN'T THE DEPARTMENT OF OFFENSE, THANKYEW VERY MUCH.

[Kungfublood]

Massive vote fraud call congress your news paper and raido and demand! demand!demand! that the whole process be started over from scratch! or get back to were you all belong -the USSR.
http://www.bbvforums.org/cgi-bin/forums/board-auth.cgi?file=/1954/71404.html
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