Political Cortex: Progressive Democrat Newsletter Issue 116

Progressive Democrat Newsletter Issue 116

By mole333
04/06/2007 12:01:23 PM EST

The Progressive Democrat Newsletter grew out of the frustration of the 2004 election. After much pressure from readers, this email newsletter is now going the blog route. I update the blog once a week focusing on both national issues and issues of interest to particular regions or states. In general, NYC, California, New Jersey, Virginia and the Midwest get special attention simply because those are the areas where I seem to have the most readers.

This week I discuss the Democratic approach to getting out of Iraq, targeting Ann Coulter, reform in NY State, recycled paper, Barack Obama's response to Democracy for America and some strategy for 2008 based on Rove's strategy. If you visit my blog, don't forget to click on an advertiser or two. As usual I also highlight local events and organizations for several states. And, if you want more political and social discussions, please check out our offerings on Culture Kitchen.

I have been mulling the Democratic Congress's approach to ending the Iraq war. Of course what I WANT them to do is to just lay down the law to Bush and set a solid time table or else cut off the money.

But they are smarter. They may not be getting us out right away, but it is doubtful that they could. Even if they cut off the money, it would be impossible to keep up the pressure when our soldiers start running out of supplies. It would be a disaster.

Instead they are forcing the topic repeatedly into the media, into the debate. They are siding both with the troops AND with withdrawal. Bush will be forced to accept withdrawal as a goal or veto funding for the troops. If Bush vetoes it, he will be open to the accusation of not supporting the troops.

And over time, the debate will continue. The Democrats will continue to try and set a timetable for withdrawal. And Bush will keep resisting. And the Republicans in Congress will face a choice: abandon the McCain/Bush/Lieberman quagmire or face losing the next election.

Suddenly, the Democrats have gotten the upper hand in the debate.

If they drop it, then they have lost. But if they keep pushing, keep bringing it up, keep opposing Bush...slowly the Republicans in Congress will be forced to set a time table. And the Democrats will have led the way.

Jerrold Nadler put it best: we want the headlines to read, "Democrats say enough is enough...Bush threatens veto." THAT is exactly what happens. We have now set the tone of debate. Let's hope we keep the initiative.

Here is this week's newsletter.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

KARL ROVE'S HIT LIST...and our list of opportunities

BARAK OBAMA RESPONDS TO DEMOCRACY FOR NYC

ENVIRONMENTAL FOCUS: Recycled Paper

A LITTLE HUMOR

INDIANA FOCUS: Targeting Ann Coulter's Hate Speech

WISCONSIN FOCUS: Targeting Ann Coulter's Hate Speech

MIDWEST PROGRESSIVE GROUPS

CALIFORNIA FOCUS: Targeting Ann Coulter's Hate Speech

CALIFORNIA GROUPS AND EVENTS

VIRGINIA FOCUS: Targeting Ann Coulter's Hate Speech