The Party of National Security

Political blogs have a tendency to turn up the reverb on the Inside-the-Beltway echo chamber, and the Wilson/Rove case is just the latest example. The tactics are correct -- keep the pressure focused on the White House's malignant acts. But the strategists must be working behind the scenes to craft the positive message that will fill the policy vacuum of a wounded Administration.

Ed Kilgore suggests a good theme for critics to use -- irresponsibility -- but the challenge will be to articulate pro-active proposals that provide a clear counterpoint to Bush's record of fiscal, military, social, and ethical irresponsibility. Congressman Rahm Emanuel seems to be laying the groundwork to run on ethics (against Indian gaming, travel, and other congressional abuses). The Social Security debate leaves those opposed to Bush with any number of reasonable, "responsible" alternatives, and a right-wing Supreme Court nominee will cede the vast middle for Democrats to pine for a "responsible moderate" like Justice O'Connor.

But Democrats need a much more coherent "responsibile" approach to security in Iraq and the war on terrorism. Even if Messrs. Rove and Libby go down in flames and shame, the American people are not going to suddenly express great comfort in leading Democrats' ability to secure Iraq and win the war on terror. They will demand a specific, coherent alternative strategy. Senator Joe Biden has come the closest to date (PDF), as he is informed by a fairly sophisticated understanding that victory abroad can be achieved only with broader political support at home. Unfortunately, most other Democrats seem to be falling into the GOP's trap by oversimplifying the the options into "withdraw now" vs. "institute a draft". Neither option is responsible, and neither will do anything to fill the vacuum created by a weakened administration.

Bush and Rove have created a tremendous opening for Democrats to become the party of national security. Their mismanagement of our troops, reserves, veterans, and intelligence operatives rises beyond incompetence to disrespect and disregard. The rank-and-file are open to a new approach. Will someone offer it?