Dems need to tell me something new

Silver-spoon-in-his-mouth George hasn't the brains or skills to accomplish anything on his own.

The once young and irresponsible W. is still too immature and irresponsible to lead the nation.

Pick one, or bundle them up. And there you have the Democrats' strategy for success in 2004. Maybe since it sort of worked - at least in terms of the popular vote - it's worth trying again.

Add it to the gut-twisting anger some folks experience at the mention of the President's name, and you can almost see the hordes voting en masse for regime change in November.

Almost. If it was really a winning strategy, Al Gore would be running for reelection.

Yes, there were serious concerns about George W. Bush in 2000. He hadn't been long in politics. He had no foreign policy experience - and seemingly not a whole lot of interest in the topic. Against a sitting vice president with years of experience in Washington, Bush's resume was weak.

Emphasizing that resume now probably gets the party's base heated up, but is it telling the rest of us something we didn't already know? Isn't it just one more in a series of "gotchas" that didn't pan out? As in:

The Bush administration took calls from Enron as the company was going under. That must mean... well, that the administration could act appropriately, even toward a campaign contributor. There were dots to connect that would have prevented Sept. 11. That must mean... it sure didn't mean that Bush deliberately let terrorists attack, as at least one Democratic congresswoman charged.

Bush was for regime change in Iraq from Day One, charges a former cabinet member. That must mean... well, it meant Paul O'Neill was taking back on the Today show what he'd said on 60 Minutes the night before.

Now it's: There's something not quite right about this National Guard business. That must mean... What, exactly? That members of the U.S. military won't follow this commander-in-chief's orders when it comes to toppling two despotic regimes in Afghanistan and Iraq as part of the war on terror? That he will be unable to act boldly or decisively when it comes to making life-and-death decisions? That somehow, after Sept. 11, he isn't committed to going after those responsible?

I already know Bush had an undistinguished career before the age of 40 or so, but I also saw him step up to the plate after Sept. 11. I know when he's scheduled for something like a Meet the Press interview that there's a chance things won't go well - just as I know he's given some of the best speeches about freedom, human rights and democracy of the last half century. I know about his administration's stubborn refusal ever to admit a mistake, while noting with relief that it can and will correct its course.

Democrats need to tell me something I don't already know. How (or will) the war on terrorism continue under a Democratic administration? What parts have gone right? What needs to change? When do you look for broad international coalitions, and when do you go alone? Can you withstand the international condemnation that can come with going alone? What will your policy of preemption look like? What will you do differently to keep places such as Iran and North Korea free of nuclear weapons? Will foreign leaders - allies and foes - believe you when you threaten to use force?

We know how Bush will act. That's his burden - or strength. It's what he's done lately that will make a difference. Not reruns from campaign 2000.

How to be a Good Democrat (You may add your own observations.)

1. You have to believe the AIDS virus is spread by a lack of Federal funding.

2. You have to believe that the same teacher who can't teach 4th graders how to read is somehow qualified to teach those same kids about sex.

3. You have to believe that guns in the hands of law-abiding Americans are more of a threat, than US nuclear weapons technology in the hands of Chinese communists or Arab terrorists.

4. You have to believe that there was no art before Federal funding.

5. You have to believe that global temperatures are less affected by cyclical, documented changes in the earth's climate, and more affected by yuppies driving SUVs.

6. You have to believe that gender roles are artificial but being homosexual is natural.

7. You have to be against capital punishment but support abortion on demand.

8. You have to believe that businesses create oppression and governments create prosperity.

9. You have to believe that hunters don't care about nature, but loony activists who've never been outside of Denver, Miami, Seattle and San Francisco do.

10. You have to believe that self-esteem is more important than actually doing something to earn it.

11. You have to believe the military, not corrupt politicians, start wars.

12. You have to believe the NRA is bad, because it supports certain parts of the Constitution, while the ACLU is good because it supports certain parts of the Constitution.

13. You have to believe that taxes are too low, but ATM fees are too high.

14. You have to believe that Margaret Sanger and Gloria Steinem are more important to American history than Thomas Jefferson, General Robert E. Lee or Thomas Edison.

15. You have to believe that standardized tests are racist, but racial quotas and set-asides aren't.

16. You have to believe Hillary Clinton is really a lady.

17. You have to believe that the only reason socialism hasn't worked anywhere it's been tried is because the right people haven't been in charge.

18. You have to believe conservatives telling the truth belong in jail, but a liar and sex offender belongs in the White House.

19. You have to believe that homosexual parades displaying drag, transvestites and bestiality should be constitutionally protected and manger scenes at Christmas should be illegal.

20. You have to believe that illegal Democratic Party funding by the Chinese is somehow in the best interest of the United States.

21. And finally, you have to believe that this letter is part of a vast right wing conspiracy.

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