DEAN BARNETT HERE:

Hugh is absolutely right about the clarifying effect of the Democrats’ embrace of the cut and run strategy.  I have but one additional note to contribute:

The Democrats are mired in a quagmire of Iraq criticism.  Right now, that’s basically all the party seems capable of – criticizing the war effort in Iraq.  If you read the progressive blogs or listen to the progressive politicians, the only thing that unites them (other than their hatred for the President, of course) is their eagerness to criticize the Iraq war effort and then to abandon it.

There can be a good faith debate on whether invading Iraq was the right thing to do.  There can even be a good faith debate on whether staying in Iraq is the right thing to do.  I happen to think the Democrats are completely wrong on both issues, but one can hold their views in good faith.

But conspicuous by its absence is the Democrats’ plan to do anything constructive vis-à-vis the war on terror and radical Islam.  They’ve had five years to come up something, and all they’ve produced is anger, defeatism and untruths.  While they look to George Lakoff or to Markos Moulitsas to magically re-brand them, the Democrats continue to neglect substance. 

Let’s be clear:  Right now, the Democrats’ “plan” for Jihadism is to withdraw from Iraq, get a ceasefire in Lebanon, and use lots and lots of multilateralism but to no particular end.  Some of the key partners in this planned multilateralism are the countries who are enabling Iran’s nuclear ambitions, but never mind that.

This all illustrates the truly elephantine cynicism that characterizes the 21st century Democratic Party.  They are foolish people, but they are not dumb.  They know their “plan” doesn’t exist.  They realize that their blueprint for action is inaction.

That and to hope the Jihadists just decide to leave America alone.

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