Democrats in Power, But Powerful?

Democrats,

Finally, you have some political power. And almost instantly, you have a problem. And it's a big one.

Before we figure out how to solve your big problem, there's good news -- OKR is back to help for the majority of 2007-2008. A quick note for those who think that "Karl Rove" is no longer politically relevant: Recall that Our Karl Rove helped the Dems win the mid-term elections, as compared to Their Karl Rove, who helped the 'Pubs lose the mid-term election.

And OKR has a plan to get you out of the little political pickle that is the Iraq War and your new responsibilities to deal with it.

First, the pickle explained: Americans voted you into power primarily due to their unhappiness with this administration's -- and prior congress's -- failure to effectively prosecute this war. These voters want this war to come to an end -- who can blame them? On the other hand, the reality is that we just can't pick up and leave a country we invaded in order to stabilize. Simply leaving abruptly (within 6-10 months) is likely to have adverse affects that would even further damage our global reputation with our allies and enemies.

In essence, the public wants instant gratification, and the country can hardly afford to screw up the entrance and the exit. Democrats were elected to resolve this discrepancy.

The Responsible Democratic Political & Messaging Strategy

• Do not talk about what power you don't have ("It's up to Bush, he's the Commander-in-Chief); talk about the power you do have ("Democrats now how power to cut off this President if he doesn't make decisions good for America")
• Don't make predictions about the war. You weren't elected to know everything; you were elected to solve problems better than Republicans could. Focus your message on how you're going to responsibly put this war to rest.
• Resist talking about committees and hearings; talk instead about using your majority status to finally influence this administration's failed policies.
• Promise Americans that you will set parameters for all war funding moving forward. This is what your new power affords you, and shows America that you're not hesitant to use the power you have.
  

As proposed here over and over, you should summarize your Iraq strategy under the Support & Rebuild banner. Support & Rebuild is a much different strategy than Bush's Attack and Train strategy, and would signal a new perspective on the situation. Support & Rebuild means working with the region to support stabilization, and Rebuild means focusing on critical infrastructure, alliances, relationships, and trust. Support & Rebuild has the opportunity, eventually, to not be thought of as a "war" strategy but as a "foreign aid" strategy.

If Democrats can change the face of this from war to foreign aid (before the Republicans do it), then Democrats will get the credit for ending the war quickly, yet not be forced to prematurely exit and risk further middle-east destabilization.