archived: 29 Jul - 4 Aug, 2007         Back                 Next

UPDATED:  JUL 29, 2007

                        MAKING THE CASE

Republicans continue to employ the filibuster in the US Senate to prevent consideration of legislation vital to America.  The single most important issue is Bush’s occupation of Iraq.  

At TPJ, we defend the filibuster as a legislative tactic.  Democrats, however, have the right to make the case to the American public that Republicans are subverting the will of the majority of Americans who want an end to this Republican policy fiasco.  In regard to Bush’s occupation, there is no question that Republican use of filibuster is subverting the majority will.  The CBS/New York Times’ most recent poll clearly documents that Americans overwhelmingly disapprove of Bush’s conduct of the occupation: 

The CBS/New York Times poll also clearly demonstrates that Americans want US troop out of the civil war in Iraq.  Some 66% of Americans want a decrease of troop levels or all troops removed while only 27% of Americans want to either maintain or increase troop levels. 

Republicans do not want a vote in Congress for very obvious reasons.

How do Democrats fight back against the Republican filibuster?  The most effective strategy is simply to take its case to the American public.  And, that is what Democrats are starting to do in key Republican districts.

Americans United For Change (“AUFC”) is running advertisements focusing on Republicans who continue to support Bush’s occupation.  For example, in Minnesota, AUFC is sponsoring this ad educating citizens that Sen. Coleman continues to support Bush’s occupation.  It is a wonderful ad: 

AMERICANS UNITED FOR CHANGE

Ads will start playing in a number of States starting in August:

AUFC has exactly the right strategy.  With Republicans filibustering in Congress, Democrats simply have to make their strategy so unpalatable that sufficient Republican Senators will either abandon Bush’s failed policies in Iraq or suffer political defeat in their home states.  When Republican Senators are faced with that prospect, Bush’s occupation will end.

                        BUSH

July polling numbers continue to demonstrate that some 64% of Americans disapprove of Bush’s performance as President. Absent some extraordinary developments, Bush will finish his administration as one of the most unpopular Presidents in modern American history. 

Bush’s approval rating has declined fractionally in July.  In TPJ’s estimation, Bush’s approval rating has stabilized since immigration legislation has been defeated in Congress.  Bush’s very unpopular stance on immigration within the Republican Party is no longer at issue and what is left of Bush’s Republican base continues to provide his primary support.   Rasmussen notes Bush’s improvement since the defeat of immigration legislation: 

Globally, Bush’s descent since 2005 is akin to peeling the layers of an onion.  The outer layers (Democrats and some Independents) peel easily, while at the core (Republican base support) the layers are smaller, packed more compactly and are more difficult to remove.  But, looking at the numbers, the layers are still coming off. 

The simple message for Democrats is to keep making the case against Bush’s policies every day.