Iraq

Republicans got us into this mess, but Democrats are setting themselves up to suffer the political consequences. The extent of the Democratic Party's collective political incompetence is astounding.

America's strategy in Iraq is deeply flawed. We shouldn't have gone in, and once in, we should have fought the war differently. But the answer to how we move forward is not to call the whole thing off and come home ASAP. Doing so would leave Iraq a festering source of terrorism; it would give Bin Laden and co. a massive PR victory; and domestically, it would put the consequences of those developments on Democratic shoulders.

Instead of advocating for an exit strategy and a way to bring our troops home as soon as possible, Democrats should be arguing for a strategy to win the war as quickly as possible. Instead of coming across as the weaker party- the party of retreat- Democrats need to put Republicans on the defensive.

What does this mean tactically? I don't know the specifics, but the gist would sound something like this if given in a speech:

"Americans may disagree about the path the War on Terror has taken, but let no one mistake America's resolve to win this war. The time is now for America to win the Battle of Iraq. Over the past three years, we have achieved remarkable progress in this battle. We have removed Saddam Hussein from power and have given Iraqis a democratic voice. But we will not have won the Battle of Iraq until the American military can leave the country and know that the situation there will continue to improve. And this is not yet the case.

"In 2006, America will dramatically increase the number of soldiers we have deployed in Iraq. We will be redeploying soldiers from posts around the world to participate in this expansion. Our intent is to increase security in Iraq so that the business of democratic life can proceed with minimal interruption from terrorists, and to increase our ability to train Iraqis to take over the responsibility for their own security.

"This expansion will be a demonstration of American willpower and our determination to make difficult decisions when we know we have to. Our enemies will point to our expansion as proof that we intend to remain in that country forever, but their voices will be drowned out by those of a strengthening Iraq.

"We will make it clear that while our soldiers will be a more visible presence in the country, our intention to remove them as soon as possible remains, and only by having the proper number of soldiers to accomplish our mission will we be able to achieve this. The issue of troop levels is delicate and fluid over time, but it is clear that we are at a moment when the military needs as much strength as possible to ensure noticeable progress on the ground.

"In 2006, America will dramatically increase the amount of funding that is being given to our military to fight this war. The financial burden will not be easy for our nation to bear, but victory in Iraq requires sacrifice from all Americans, and our military deserves the very best funding possible. We will not spend indiscriminately, but we will spare no expense. We will likely have to raise taxes to support this spending alongside the other important spending priorities our country maintains, and we have no doubt that America will rise to the challenge.

"In 2006, America will remind the world that we view our compassion and humanity as our most powerful weapons. We will make clear our denunciation of torture under any circumstances, and renew our commitment to all of the treaties and agreements that all civilized nations agree are non-negotiable. We will give no man, woman, or child in any country a reason to compare America's actions in the War on Terror with those of civilization's most bitter enemies.

"In 2006, America will rise as a nation to our great challenge in this battle in the War on Terror. Our Iraqi friends, and our terrorist enemies, will have no doubt that the full might of America is being called upon. Victory is in Iraq's future, and our efforts next year will ensure that we achieve that victory far sooner than the Bush Administration's plan to stay a course that is not leading there fast enough."