I did not oppose these bills because they did not immediately defund the war, I opposed them because they did not further the goal of ending the Iraq Debacle. The proposal I support, the Reid/Feingold/Mcgovern framework, would allow for unconditional funding to a date certain. In the Reid-Feingold version, for another 10 months. I believe immediate NOT funding, even when funding for withdrawal is permitted, is not politically feasible. But I do think announcing a NOT funding date certain of March 31, 2008 is politically feasible.
And if it is not, then Democrats can reap the political advantage of having done all they can to end the Debacle. We are having a sort of trial run for this approach now. The Congress will bring up for vote the de facto GOP/Blue Dog alternative Iraq Supplemental funding bill. It will likely pass. But let it pass only with GOP and Blue Dog votes. It is their proposal after all. And then what?
Well, do what I propose of course. Heh. Set a date certain for not funding the war:
This is a preemptive post, because I am positive that the defenders of those Presidential candidates who do not endorse Reid-Feingold will trot out the same critiques about the NOT funding the Debacle approach that was used when Feingold first proposed his Not Funding plan in January. To wit, we don't have the votes, McConnell will filibuster, Bush will veto. My response remains:
I ask for three things: First, announce NOW that the Democratic Congress will NOT fund the Iraq Debacle after a date certain. You pick the date. Whatever works politically. If October 2007 is the date Dems can agree to, then let it be then. If March 2008, then let that be the date; Second, spend the year reminding the President and the American People every day that Democrats will not fund the war past the date certain; Third, do NOT fund the Iraq Debacle PAST the date certain.
Some argue we will never have the votes for this. That McConnell will filibuster, that Bush will veto. To them I say I KNOW. But filbustering and vetoing does not fund the Iraq Debacle. Let me repeat, to end the war in Iraq, the Democratic Congress does not have to pass a single bill; they need only NOT pass bills that fund the Iraq Debacle.
But but but, defund the whole government? Defund the whole military? What if Bush does not pull out the troops? First, no, not defund the government, defund the Iraq Debacle. If the Republicans choose to shut down government in order to force the continuation of the Iraq Debacle, do not give in. Fight the political fight. We'll win. Second, defund the military? See answer to number one. Third, well, if you tell the American People what is coming for a year, and that Bush is on notice, that it will be Bush abandoning the troops in Iraq, we can win that political battle too.
This approach is perfectly consistent with the so called "short leash" plan, where the Debacle will be funded in 3 month intervals. But it is only consistent if BOTH are done. The intention to NOT fund the war after March 31, 2008 must be made the Dem position now.
The short leash must be pulled to a stop on March 31, 2008.
Say it now so you can end it then. If you do not say it now, then you can't end it on March 31, 2008.
This approach has the following virtues: (1) you are funding the troops in the field; (2) you are giving the Surge a chance to work; (3) you are laying out a plan the American People support; and most importantly, (4)you can end the Debacle and bring our troops home.
Now if your goal is to RUN on the Debacle (which is unattainable in my opinion, the ruse is too easily seen through) then you won't like this plan.
But if you want to run as the Party that ended the Debacle, or at least the Party that did everything it could to end the Debacle, then you must adopt the NOT funding plan. That means Reid-Feingold.
It could be that this approach will not work. But I do know that every other approach WILLNOT work.
If the GOP and the Blue Dogs can muster the votes for a motion to discharge in order to pass their version of an Iraq funding bill in March 2008, then there is nothing Dems and their leadership can do. They will have done all they can.
But they will be able to honestly tell the American People that they have done all they can. And the supporters of the Iraq Debacle will be clearly identified. And those Democrats who fought hard to end the Debacle can be justly proud of their efforts. And then the american People can decide in 2008 if they want to support those Congresspersons who do not want to end the Iraq Debacle.
