On Social Security, all we know about what the Democrats want is that they don't want what Bush wants, namely, "privatization." The president last week tried to meet them halfway. He said benefits could be reduced for wealthier recipients, commensurate with a plan fashioned by a Democratic financier (and Kerry contributor) Robert Pozen. The Democratic response to date: Now you're beating up on the middle class!
You can't win. Not if you live in the Bush White House.
Significantly, the Democrats have declined to put their own reform plan on the table. Turning a catfight into a mere discussion would make it harder to slam Bush.
On nominations, Democratic silliness shades into dangerous obstruction. Why are the papers filled with news about U.N. ambassador designate John Bolton's "rudeness" toward subordinates? Because, on issues of competence, knowledge, background, patriotism -- things like that -- Bolton is unassailable. His foes go after him on personality issues. Gee, the idea of a diplomat who occasionally sacrifices manners to philosophy! Did you ever?
Then there's the whole Democratic campaign to prevent up/down votes on the Bush judicial picks -- the Democrats having to all appearances decided that any Bush Supreme Court nominee is in for the vilification of the century, young century though it is.
It's interesting to speculate on what tone of civility and patriotism might now prevail had Kerry and the Democrats swept last year's election. Would Republicans be misbehaving now as the Kerry Democrats are misbehaving, posturing, storming around and acting out their post-election rage? Possibly. But they're not.
And that, friend Jane, is my piece for today. As John Kerry would say: Bring it on!