How disheartening — and how unsurprising — to hear our genius Democratic strategists basically cede the illegal wiretap issue to the Bush Administration. We heard statements like this:
“…Democrats have to be able to say very very clearly that we’re going to take a back seat to no one when it comes to national security … BUT, we also believe that we’re fighting halfway around the world today to bring democratic principles to other countries. We have laws here that create some checks, so that the President can’t… ”
blah blah blah
Look, let’s dumb it down so that even a Democratic strategist can understand: If you say the word “but” — you lose.
It’s stronger, simpler, and true to just say, “We don’t believe the President is entitled to break the law.” Full stop.
Better now?
