This entire debacle that has started by a very legitimate resolution offered by Russ Feingold has just got me fuming. His motion to censure Bush is by far one of the most reasonable requests that have been made in the 109th Congress. Rather you are for or against the wiretapping program, one thing remains – it shows the people Congress is acting.
Democrats are yelling and screaming about the censure resolution. Actually they are trying to play both sides of the fence. On one side is the “we oppose what Bush is doing and want more investigations” and on the other side is the “we believe Russ Feingold is out of touch with the people”.
Here’s something for these Democrats to consider. 34%. That is the approval rating of George Bush. Congress had no problem with censuring Clinton and he was at 60% at the time. Something else to consider is the fact that a majority of Americans oppose warrantless tapping. The only way they support it is if it’s used against terrorists. Of course what proof do we have that it is being used against terrorists? A court ordered warrant is the guarantee of proof we are missing from that equation. That is the reason we have a 4th amendment. The constitution also says that the President and Congress swear to uphold it, not ignore whatever parts of it they want.
There is another thing that really gets my blood boiling over this entire thing. That is the fact that Democrats appear to be pandering more to the right. That pandering is what has cost them in 2000, 2002 and 2004. Democrats are going to vote for Democrats and Republicans are going to vote for Republicans. The percentage that will sway from their party is minimal. Instead Democrats should be worried about Independents and the age group that seldom votes which is the 20-30 year olds.
First for the Independents. Through recent polling you can see a very leftward shift in where Independents give their support. Right now Republicans only have 28% support from Independents. That is down from 50% not even a year ago. Included in the Independent column is mostly Libertarians who also oppose the warrantless tapping. Now the Democrats are showing their lack of ambition to take action against the spy program and that will most likely cost them some of that greatly gained support from Independents. That is a dangerous move for a party looking to regain at least some control in our government this fall.
Now the 20-30 year old voters. These are the people that do not get out and vote. These are the ones who have the general train of though that “all politicians are the same”. Well Democrats, thanks for reinforcing that thought with them. This age group is also the group mostly opposed to warrantless taps. These are the people who are more out to get on the phone and call their buddy and try to get some weed or have a little hot and saucy talk with their significant other. They want their privacy but why should that motivate them to vote now? The Democrats make it appear that they do not care that much about it.
In fact the Democrats proved that they do not care that much about it. They can go out and play politican and act like they do but they don’t. Instead they are pushing the issue aside and waiting for someone to investigate it. They quickly forget they do not have control in Congress and you got a better chance of winning the lottery then the Republicans doing a fair and just investigation of Bush? We can’t even get them to finish an investigation into a war that has cost us over 2300 soldiers and that has been promised for two years now. What makes them think they will investigate this?
This is one of those times that I am pissed to be a Democrat. They act like little kids at times and it is really annoying. The Democrats got a bump in support when it comes to national security because of the Dubai ports deal. Like a kid with a new toy, they can not focus on anything else now. They forget where their base stands on the issue and instead try to pander for more support on national security. Our nation depends upon our leaders following the laws. If they don’t then our nation risks becoming one of those nations we so oppose. To me there is no greater issue when it comes to national security than that.
Finally, there is something else that has really peeved me over this entire ordeal. The Democrats have just fueled the talking points of Ken Mehlman and the RNC. Unity has been the strong talking point for Republicans. Every time you hear them talk you hear such things as “the Democrats do not have any unity and no vision”. Well to all the Democrats that shied away from Feingold this week, the RNC owes you a big, heartfelt thanks. You just helped prove their talking point for the next few months and that will put us right into the election cycle.
In 20 years of politics and working and being involved in campaigns, I have never been so disgusted as I am now. I do not know how the Democrats could have been so idiotic as to fall into the trap of Bill Frist and the Republicans, but they did. When your swimming with sharks your going to get ate alive unless you become the bigger shark. This week, the Democrats just showed they are little fish. Please Democrats, come back to our side and stand firm on issues. Stop pandering to the lowest rated President in the history of our country and his party. If you don’t want to do that then let us know so we can find new people to run in your place.