So the Democrats today are searching desperately for a policy, and the surprising news is that they are split six ways from Sunday. A few, like the indomitable Sen. Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., insist that the war is winnable, and support Bush's determination to press on. Most of the rest suspect that it isn't, but are deeply divided over what to recommend. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., wants to start pulling out American forces by the end of this year. Others demand that we "redeploy" our troops beginning on some later specific date (e.g. June 30, 2007). Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y. -- if I understand her -- also favors "redeployment," but without a specific timetable.
And all of this leaves unclear exactly what "redeployment" means. Would our troops be redeployed to their bases in the United States, or simply across the Iraqi border into Kuwait, to await orders for further military action? The Democrats don't say, and take refuge in the comforting ambiguity of the term.
But it's hard to imagine a bumper sticker summarizing that mishmash of contradictory ideas. "Bug out -- but slowly"? "Bring the boys halfway home by Christmas"? The Democrats must have the courage of their convictions, but first they have to decide what those convictions are.