Holding The Democrats To Account

There's a cross blogosphere discussion going on regarding the recent al Qaeda tape and other statements reflecting their satisfaction with the Dem mid-term victories. It began with a post at Powerline

I don't think there is any doubt about the fact that the terrorists, world-wide, were hoping for a Democratic victory.

and a response by Captain's Quarters.

The partisan sniping has ceased to be germane. We've already had the election, and the Democrats are in charge -- and they will be for two years no matter what. Obviously, we will watch closely to ensure that they do not surrender to terrorism, but I'm not going to take Abu Hamza's word that they will before their majority session even starts.

You can find some of the blogs weighing in through Memeorandum - and actually take part via the Powerline Forum available through a link in this post.

To me, cutting the Dems some slack on this for political high-mindedness is a lofty, if superficial ideal. I find it a betrayal of the greater truth which runs below the surface. The things the terrorists are saying today didn't originate with the terrorists. It is an extension of the rhetoric those same Democrats and the MSM have used for two years to undermine our war effort and insult our troops.

Are we to suddenly pretend that an individual now running for Majority Leader didn't suggest Marines were guilty of murder without a shred of proof? Or that the all too junior Senator from Massachusetts didn't call them terrorizers of children in the night? I also recall a recent NY Times article which described Rahm Emmanuel as incensed that coverage of terrorist successes in Iraq fell off the front page for a week.

This is not some new day with the Democrats only now having some responsibility for events in Iraq. They have been complicit in formulating and disseminating terrorist propaganda for two years. To allow them to slink out from under responsibility for that now would be a dismissing of the great harm they've already caused our war fighting effort and a betrayal in principle of our troops, presumably as we're left to do battle on more lofty ground.

But the political landscape is not loftier or more noble ground than that for which we've lost so many. I doubt the almost 3,000 men and women killed in Iraq would choose to give their enemy a pass, sadly they will never get that chance. But that didn't stop the Democrats from campaigning over their bodies while the MSM so ghoulishly kept the running count.

The Democrats charted their course, their political strategy - and, yes, they won. But I see no reason to forgive how they got there simply because they've arrived.

When Al Gore accused the President of betraying the country, he betrayed us all, as well as the truth. When Pelosi called our President stupid, and worse - she revealed her unashamed lust for power. Now with that new power realized, I am not prepared to buy into the notion that the end was justified, so the means should be excused for a noble ideal.

These people did enough damage when they were running, it isn't delusional to think about how much more dangerous they soon will become. If you didn't take notice of George McGovern coming to town, you should. How long before they send Jane Fonda to Iraq for a public relations tour? The Democrats undermined our war effort to gain political power. It's foolish to think they will turn into something different over night, no matter how nice they seem to want to play for now.

Wake up, America. These aren't your Father's Democrats. They haven't been that since McGovern came to town the first time, in case you've forgotten. Let the MSM media carry their water. I've no intention of falling down that hill.

Read the discussion at links above, or join the discussion in the forum through the re-vamped Powerline News.

Comments

[Mike Roark]

I agree with Dan. This endless "making nice" is why we are in this predicament. I usually agree with Cpt Ed, but not on this one.

[TBinSTL]

Now is the time to lay the groundwork for '08, not a few months before the election. If we give the Dems the "honeymoon" they refused to grant us, we concede too much ground. Just the arguing about strategy and tactics will eat up a good chunk of our time. We need to keep sniping now just to keep their heads down. Pointing out what variety of scumbag is cheering for the Dems today is not only acceptable but needed, at least until a solidified plan can be advanced.

[jolari]

It is only common sense that the terrorists would want the existing leading power to lose an election. They thrive on any hint of unease in our country & we gave it to them on Tuesday. If the Dems had been in power the terrorists would have wanted the GOP to be the victors. The GOP did not lose the election only because of the threats of terrorists. There is overall dissatisfaction with many aspects---stem cell search, illegal immigrants, etc. etc. As a country we united in our vote and said we did not like what our current elected politicians were doing. It is not going to be totally corrected in two years or even four years. As responsible citizens of our wonderful country we need to continue to let our leaders know what we do want as a united country. This continuation of bashing the opposite party that we chose to follow is just giving terroists more fodder. The country spoke on 11/08 & if any elected political figure does not either work towards those goals or let us know why our goals are unacceptable or unattainable then we will just have to show our dissatisfaction again in 2008.

[larry]

sorry, jolari, i don't buy it. that "the bad guys would have cheered any switch of parties in power" just doesn't pass the sniff test. the democrats won (*sigh*), and european lefties all cheered madly. as did the un kleptocrats. as did al qaida. as did iran's supreme leader. ("the democrats winning congress is a victory for iran".)

they weren't happy about a change - they were happy that the gop lost, and the party known to be soft, moronic appeasers were now running congress.

proof of this can be found by looking over 1994's wordlwide reactions to the gop takeover of congress. no cheers from terror groups, or terror-sponsoring nations; the euroweenies were appalled; (as was worldwide media); everywhere on the left and in the 3rd world there were long faces. why? because they knew the party was over, and they'd have to deal with GROWN-UP americans now.

naturally, the gop pissed it all away.

[jolari]

appreciate and understand your point of view, but still feel that they would cheer at anything we Americans would do to show displeasure with our government maybe louder for Dems--as far as pissing it all away--I do agree. Some stupid blunders by some stupid fools who were even more stupid to get caught. Not so blind that I do not think that are probably many in the Dem party who are just as guilty of some stupid stupid actions. Don't think this is new to politicians, but now with all the modern tech we have the chances of getting caught have increased.
One bright spot that stood out to me in this election was the increase of our younger voters that made the choice to vote. Hope that the interest they showed continues & maybe we can get some new faces in both political parties. I've been of voting age for over 40 years and have seen the same names over and over. LOL yes I am orginally from MA., but was smart enough to move!!

[Pug]

You are absolutely correct, Dan. This is the strategy that brought us the glorious Republican landslide of November 7th.

It's a great strategy with one small problem. That being that no one buys it. Don't forget, "If the Democrats win, the terrorists win". Pure electoral magic.

[saneman]

Yes Pug - just because you don't buy that "If the Democrats win, the terrorists win" does not make it untrue. Many millions of Americans understand that it is and was true. The people who voted for the Democrats handed the terrorist a very useful and satisfying victory. It's a simple fact that you of course don't want to admit.

[Phoenix]

One bright spot that stood out for me in the elections was that most 'winners' won by the tiniest of margins. That means that those who hesitated in the voting booth won't hesitate in '08. This last election was like a big, beefy-guy football team voting under pressure to let girls join the team.