I wonder if Democrats are getting the slightest bit nervous about the news -- hot off the presses -- that Iraqi security forces are actually taking over primary control of defense operations in Iraq. That might not bode well for their prospects to recapture control of Congress.
One of the Democrats' major complaints has been that we have been too slow in training Iraqi troops, thereby delaying the end or significant downscaling of the American presence there. Of course the Democrats' criticism here is not a policy matter, but one of military implementation. So when they blame President Bush for the delays, they are actually blaming the military they claim to support. It is ludicrous to suggest that President Bush wouldn't do everything he could, at the policy level, to expedite the training of Iraqi troops.
This is just one illustration of how events beyond either party's immediate control could have a dramatic impact on the November elections. Things can change weekly in the war, which is why it is risky for Democrats to put all their campaign eggs in the Iraq basket.
Actually, a more accurate metaphor would be that they have put no eggs in the war policy basket, but have been trying merely to destroy the eggs President Bush has placed in the basket. They are relying exclusively on deriding President Bush's policies, while conspicuously and defiantly offering no alternative policy agenda of their own.
When pressed for a plan, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Sen. Harry Reid, and DNC Chairman Howard Dean have all said, in effect, that it isn't incumbent on Democrats to come up with a plan; their naked criticism is sufficient.
When further pressed, they promised to present a plan but repeatedly missed their deadlines to produce it. Finally, they did present a "plan," which was nothing more than a broad statement of policy goals that were not that different in substance from current policy. They said they wanted to effect a transition of control to Iraqi forces during 2006. Well, who doesn't?
Oh, I almost forgot, they also said their leadership would be "tough and smart," which doubtlessly had Osama quaking in his boots.
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