Republicans benefit from Iraq debate

Washington Times:

Republicans appear convinced they are benefiting from the debate in Congress over Iraq, even though the war continues to divide the country and depress President Bush's approval rating.
"Republicans want people to be asked to make a choice between what President Bush is doing now and what the Democrats would do," said Republican strategist Grover Norquist.
"It's like the old joke lines: `How's your wife? Compared to what?' By comparison, Murtha and Kerry make Bush look good," said Mr. Norquist.
Rep. John P. Murtha, Pennsylvania Democrat, and Sen. John Kerry, Massachusetts Democrat, are outspoken proponents of resolutions to get U.S. troops out of Iraq, which strategists say has allowed Republicans to portray Democrats as the "cut-and-run" party.
"No question, the strategy Republicans are following forces the Democrats to confront the reality of what it means to be critical of the war effort, to say what their alternative is -- to set a date certain for withdrawal, to conduct the war differently," said Republican consultant Bob Heckman.
The strategy also puts the Democrats at a generic disadvantage similar to the one the Republicans had when Mr. Bush proposed reforming Social Security.
"I'm not sure the Democrats have great credibility on how to conduct a war," said Mr. Heckman.

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"Republicans looked united behind the president and a positive outcome in Iraq, while the Democrats looked divided, with retreat as their only goal," said Mr. Bell.

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"Republicans are amused that Senator Kerry is taking the lead to highlight the split in the opposition party. His role as the 'waffle man' on Iraq [Mr. Kerry voted for the war resolution Mr. Bush sought in 2002] reminds people that Democrats lack a plan on Iraq and on the war on terror worldwide," Republican political consultant Scott Reed said.
Democrats were pushed into defending the resolutions, the Republican strategists said.

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So far, the Democrats "have yet to articulate a solution that people find reassuring or encouraging," said Mr. Norquist. "When Democrats just stand there and point to Iraq and say there are problems, people agree. But when the Democrats open their mouths and offer alternatives, they lose support."

They lose support because most people do not want to lose the war. Democrats see dissatifaction withthe war and misread that into thinking that people want to join them in losing. The dissatisfaction is over not winning. Given a choice between a sure loss and continuing our current policy they will reject the Democrats.