Democrat Elitists Clueless on Iraq

Democrats Find Iraq Alternative Is Elusive
Party's Elite Differ on How to Shift U.S. Policy

By Robin Wright
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, December 5, 2005; A01

Around the country, many grass-roots Democrats are clamoring for a quick withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq. On Capitol Hill, Democratic politicians have grown newly aggressive in denouncing the Bush administration's war strategy and outlining other options.

But among the Democratic foreign-policy elite, dominated by people who previously served in the top ranks of government, there are stark differences -- and significant vagueness -- about a viable alternative.

The difficulty that the Democratic foreign-policy elite has in coming together around a crisp alternative to the Bush administration has consequences that echo beyond the warren of think tanks, universities and consulting shops where most of its members now bide their time. On complicated policy questions, candidates and elected officials usually turn to respected and experienced policy experts to fashion their own platforms.

Highlighting the lack of consensus, some Democrats advocate withdrawing apace to change the dynamics in Iraq and the Middle East -- and to avoid getting bogged down or discrediting the United States. Others argue that it is a mistake to even talk about a timed drawdown. In between, still others propose an initial cut, while keeping a sizable force in Iraq or the region to promote stability and avoid repeating the Afghanistan debacle of the 1990s that helped produce Taliban rule.

The biggest common denominator was the anguish of trying to define a Democratic alternative.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/04/AR2005120400965_pf.html

we are doomed for continued GOP dominance. Howard Dean knows we cannot and will not "win" in Iraq -- then again, he's not running for president.

Check this link for Wes Clark's plan for success in Iraq.

http://securingamerica.com/issues/iraqplan

Please use the grammatically correct form of the word. This is a nasty habit started by the republicans to taint the word.

the Democrats have been completely out of power for six years.

For SIX YEARS, Democrats and liberals in general have been completely marginalized and excluded from the debate. Why is it only now- when all the "nay-sayers" have been proven right- only NOW do they look to the left and ask for a solution.

My opinion is the same as it was 3 years ago. An occupation of Iraq will be a disaster for as long as we're there, and there will be NO PRETTY SOLUTION.