It seems like the media loves portraying the split in the Democratic Party over Iraq as being something evil, a sign of weakness or a lack of vision. Here is another one, but this time they are making it out to appear more as the Democrats have accepted some fallacy in their party.
With Iraq looming over critical U.S. congressional elections this year and the 2008 presidential campaign, some Democrats are beginning to be less fearful of the party split over the war.
While President George W. Bush, his political architect Karl Rove and Republicans in Congress step up their attacks, Democrats say the fact they are challenging the administration’s conduct of the war will play well with voters in November when the balance of power in the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives is at stake.
“We don’t have a single answer,” said Simon Rosenberg, founder of the centrist New Democrat Network. “I don’t think we need one.”
Democrats have differed openly on options in Iraq, ranging from quick withdrawal of the 129,000 U.S. troops there, to a gradual pullout, to the need for a stand-down plan, to support for the war effort.
Our nation boasts being the “most diverse nation on the planet”, yet we are afforded only two political parties. For a nation of such diversity, how can the views and beliefs of everyone be justly expressed by only two parties?
The fact that the Democrats are split over the next move in Iraq is a great sign of a party for the people. Republicans stay in lock step on these issues and even circulate their infamous “talking points” to help promote them. The Democrats embrace diversity and differing views and this is what sparks debate.
The fact that the Republicans would rather follow Bush’s lead in the war, which is a known failure, than allow a truly open minded debate speaks novels of the way they treat our democracy. They feel this “unity” is something great and is what Americans want.
There will always be differing opinions in a democracy because that is what makes a democracy. Those differing opinions can not be summed up with only two branches. The Democrats allow differing views within their party without fear of repercussion from the party leaders. This is a message that must be echoed from coast to coast as we approach the mid-term elections. This message shows that the Democrats are more worried about their constituents than they are their party.
The best way for Democrats to do that is to shock the media. When people say “but the party is split” respond with “yes we are and it is great. We welcome open debate within our own party”. When they ask why the Democrats have no clear plan respond with “we have numerous plans which is how something like this should be conquered – using numerous plans to devise an ultimate plan”.
If the Democrats continue to show diversity and that they are not afraid of showing a split in decisions then they will prevail. It shows that they represent the multiple folds that make up our nation and that is what democracy is about.