by John M. Curtis
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Copyright September 3, 2006
All Rights Reserved.

reaching the choir, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld told the American Legion annual convention in Salt Lake City Aug. 29 that Iraq's war critics bear striking similarity to the appeasers of 1930s, ceding control of Europe to Adolf Hitler. War critics, mused Rumsfeld, especially Democrats, have the same “moral confusion” as Western democracies acquiescing to the Nazis. “It is apparent that many have still not learned history's lessons,” said Rumsfeld, reciting President George W. Bush's chief strategist Karl Rove's talking points, namely, that Democrats are appeasers in the global war on terror. Democrats took the bait, reacting with outrage, calling for Rumsfeld's resignation. Republicans accuse Democrats of “cut-and-run,” when the U.S. has spent the last three-and-half years fighting a costly guerrilla war, totaling over $400 billion and more than 2,600 lives.

      White House strategists launched a full-out public relations war countering critics that have taken Bush's approval ratings to the lowest level of his presidency. Before midyear elections, the White House must live-and-die with the same hardcore rhetoric that justified the war, namely, that Iraq represents the “central front in the war on terror,” essential to keeping terrorists off American streets. Despite repeated denials when pressed, Bush continues to link Iraq to the same terrorists responsible for Sept. 11. While he knows there's no connection, he also knows that growing public skepticism, but more importantly, awareness, threatens the GOP heading into November. White House strategy hinges on perpetuating the myth that success in Iraq makes-or-breaks the war on terror. All the president's men and women must characterize Democrats as weak and appeasers to hold onto power.

      Rumsfeld speaks to the GOP's conservative base, fiercely loyal not to Bush's terrorism policy but to his opposition to embryonic stem cells and abortion. Rove knows as long as Bush adheres to these two principles, he can count on support for other GOP causes, including the war on terror. But the base only accounts for about 30% of the support needed to win elections. As the public wises up, Bush continues to lose independents and crossover Democrats, convinced by right wing radio that Democrats would surrender national security to America's enemies. GOP strategists must get Iraq off the headlines, focusing instead on Iran's menacing nuclear threat. Heading into November, Democrats seek to highlight Bush's failures but have said little about what they would do differently. Before voters throw out the old bums, they need more appealing alternatives.

      U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) blasted Rumsfeld for equating war critics with Nazi appeasers. He and other Democrats may seek a non-binding resolution calling for his resignation. “It says that out policies are not going well,” said Schumer, calling for Rumsfeld to step down. Democrats don't get that Rumseld's rhetoric is aimed at galvanizing the GOP base, adhering to the “anything-but-a-Democrat principle. Democrats must find a way to energize apathetic voters, too consumed with filling their gas tanks than interest in politics. Since Clinton left office in 2000, Democrats have had a difficult time articulating a coherent message, other than bashing Bush's policies. Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean continues to alienate independents and crossover Republicans with too much hyperbole about the evils of right wing Republicans.

      Democrats' message must be more than Republicans are bad and liberals are good. Democrats are rarely seen as moderates yet the vast majority of voters find the extremist politics of trash-and-burn distasteful. Democrats need a rational voice, not found in either New York senator. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.), the senior senator from New York, can't make up her mind on Iraq, preferring to sit on the fence. Schumer, like former presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), speaks for the most extreme wing of the party, frequently alienating moderates. “I recount this history because once again we face similar challenges in efforts to confront the rising threat of a new type of Fascism,” said Rumsfeld, referring to the outlaws responsible for terror attacks against Western targets. Labeling loosely grouped terrorists as “Fascists” gives historical context to today's terrorists.

      Rumsfeld's comparisons to Hitler's appeasers infuriates Democrats because it paints the Party as weak, precisely what the GOP must do before November. In order to sell voters on a change, Democrats must articulate a clear vision on Iraq and a better blueprint for fighting the war on terror. Whatever mistakes were made in Iraq, the country is left with a complicated mess that can't be ignored. Cutting-and-running, as suggested by ex-marine Rep. John P. Murtha (D-Penn.), raises voters' anxiety without accepting a new paradigm in a post-Saddam era. Most Americans find failure unacceptable. “If we abandon the Iraq people before their government is strong enough to secure the country, we will show reformers across the region that America cannot be trusted to keep its word,” said Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, posing a real dilemma for Democrats.

About the Author

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He's editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.

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