Posted by
Opinionmill Author on Sunday, October 29, 2006 12:45:23 AM
Originally posted at
OpinionMill.com
Democrats demonstrated strategic agility in bringing Jim Web from Virginia forth to deliver today’s
Democratic Radio Address. They communicated a coherent message, they demonstrated that they can take a powerful nuanced position if they have to, and most importantly they protected the secrecy of their operational plan in Iraq.
Webb’s message was rich enough in descriptive language to keep the audience listening, but not so specific as to provide any openings to opponents. He outlined key democratic positions such as not establishing bases in Iraq, suggested that we begin a dialogue with our friends and enemies, calling for an immediate end to unhelpful phrases such as “cut-and-run” and “stay-the-course” and finally, he suggested that a new leadership team in congress would drive the Democrats to develop a concrete plan.
Just as important as what was said, is what was not said. In placing Webb front and center, the Democrats validated once again their ability to take a powerful nuanced stance on issues. Democrats recently denounced the activities of Congressman Mark Foley. In fact, the position they took was so clear and well reported in the media that it was difficult to differentiate them from the Republican position that Foley was creepy and needed to go.
In a brilliant move of calculated nuance, they focused the spotlight on Jim Webb who recently has been fielding questions about fictional accounts of incest and sexual relations with minors. By endorsing Webb, Democrats can condemn Foley but still differentiate themselves from the Republican position that deviance is bad. This type of nuanced approach to issues is critical to defending liberal policies and the editorial board at Opinionmill.com has been concerned lately that they have been “painting themselves into a corner”. Webb’s exposure on the national scene so soon after the media frenzy surrounding the explicit sexual language in his writing addresses these concerns.
Finally, Democrats were able to speak confidently about Iraq and the war on Terror without revealing the contents of their operational plan. By discussing the need to create a plan if elected, the Democrats effectively deter terrorists from finding out what the key elements of the plan are. With their plan safely under wraps, the Democrats send a message that operational security is a priority and all of the “Loose Lips Sink Ships” talk about left leaning operatives at the State Department and the CIA is nonsense.