Lieberman OpEd in WaPo. More troops please!

More U.S. forces might not be a guarantee of success in this fight, but they are certainly its prerequisite. Just as the continuing carnage in Baghdad empowers extremists on all sides, establishing security there will open possibilities for compromise and cooperation on the Iraqi political front -- possibilities that simply do not exist today because of the fear gripping all sides.

I saw firsthand evidence in Iraq of the development of a multiethnic, moderate coalition against the extremists of al-Qaeda and against the Mahdi Army, which is sponsored and armed by Iran and has inflamed the sectarian violence. We cannot abandon these brave Iraqi patriots who have stood up and fought the extremists and terrorists.

The addition of more troops must be linked to a comprehensive new military, political and economic strategy that provides security for the population so that training of Iraqi troops and the development of a democratic government can move forward.

In particular we must provide the vital breathing space for moderate Shiites and Sunnis to turn back the radicals in their communities. There are Iraqi political leaders who understand their responsibility to do this. In Anbar province we have made encouraging progress in winning over local Sunni tribal leaders in the fight against al-Qaeda and other terrorists. With more troops to support them, our forces in Anbar and their Sunni allies can achieve a major victory over al-Qaeda.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/28/AR2006122801055.html

Kerry calls Lieberman 'out of step' with voters
Sees Cheney echo in Iraq war stance

By Rick Klein, Globe Staff | August 21, 2006

WASHINGTON -- Senator John F. Kerry yesterday blasted Senator Joseph I. Lieberman over his decision to stay in the Connecticut senatorial race as an independent, saying Lieberman ``is making a Republican case" to voters and is echoing the words of Vice President Dick Cheney in his campaign.

Kerry, a Massachusetts Democrat, said on ABC's ``This Week" that Lieberman is ``dead wrong" on the issue of the Iraq war, and said he is making a ``huge mistake" by aligning himself with Republicans who support it.

He urged Democrats to coalesce behind Ned Lamont, who defeated Lieberman in the Aug. 8 Democratic primary, based largely on his strong antiwar stance.

``I am concerned that he is making a Republican case, and he is uttering almost the same words as Vice President Cheney, and I think it's inappropriate," Kerry said of Lieberman, his Senate colleague for the past 18 years.

``The fact is, Joe Lieberman is out of step with the people of Connecticut," he continued. ``And to adopt the rhetoric of Dick Cheney, who has been wrong about almost everything he has said about Iraq, shows you just exactly why he got in trouble with the Democrats there."

http://tinyurl.com/su7w3

The problem with democracy-building is that I think we think democracy is easy--get rid of the bad guys, call for elections, encourage "power sharing," and see to it somebody writes a bill of rights. The truth is exactly the opposite--government by the few, or government by one person is what's easy to build; even putting together good autocratic rule doesn't seem to be that hard. It's good, stable and free democracies that are really the hardest thing.

America's been so successful at being a free and permanent democracy that we think democracy is the natural way to rule--just let people go and there you have it: Democracy. But all the ingredients that make it good and free--limited government, separation of powers, checks and balances, calendared elections, staggered elections, plurality selections, differing terms of office, federalism but with national supremacy, the development of a civic spirit and civic responsibility, and, above all, the breaking and moderation of factions--all this we forget about. We act as if the aim is "democracy" simply and not a mild and moderate democracy. Therefore... we seek out the loudest and most virulent factions and empower them... .

We, as a country, don't have a clue as to what has made our own country work, and so we spread the gospel of democracy-at-all-costs abroad. Until this country can find a Madison, it would be far better off with just a good ruler.