Good-News Bind: The Democrats and the Democracy Movements

E.J.Dionne, Jr. writing in The Washington Post asks

"When the news from abroad is good, what is the political opposition to do? Should Democrats let President Bush crow about favorable developments in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Lebanon and Iraq? Should they crow with him? And how should Democrats deal with Bush's appropriation of what Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-Conn.) calls "Wilsonian" and "Kennedyesque" rhetoric promoting the spread of democracy? If Bush pushes policies that are both "Democratic with a large D and a small d," Lieberman asks, shouldn't Democrats encourage him?"

"Even strong opponents of the Iraq war are displaying a wary willingness to imagine that events may be taking a turn for the better."

"Beneath the surface, Democrats are no more united on the war than before the election. Bush critics such as (Barney) Frank say the administration still needs to answer for the continuing violence in Iraq."

"The political truce over the war will hold as long as events justify it. But it is a frail truce that very much depends, as Frank would put it, on "facts on the ground.""

In truth, what the Democrats think and do regarding the positive events in the middle east are irrelevant since America's great accomplishments were achieved despite them rather than because of anything they contributed. They are rapidly becoming insignificant.