The Washington Monthly

December 31, 2009

CAN TWO PLAY AT THAT GAME?.... In the wake of the failed terrorist attack on Christmas, confused Republicans have been almost giddy about the shift in focus. As the GOP sees it, issues like the economy and health care are Democratic issues, while national security "belongs" to them, reality and their failed record notwithstanding.

This was bolstered, at least initially, by the fact that far-right Republicans rushed forward to exploit public fear to trash the White House and raise money, while congressional Democrats largely sat on their hands and kept a low profile -- even though, again, there's no reason in the world for Republicans to claim the high ground on the issue they don't even understand.

What's interesting, though, is that the DCCC at least says it intends to turn the tables as the midterms approach.

Democratic leadership in Congress is pledging to make Republican votes against key national security and defense funding measures a feature in the upcoming congressional elections, following the botched Christmas Day terrorist attack aboard a Detroit-bound airliner.
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Chris Van Hollen (D-M.D.) told the Huffington Post on Wednesday that it was the committee's duty to ensure that, come 2010, the American people are aware that House Republicans opposed a Department of Homeland Security appropriations bill that included funding for airport security.

The 2010 appropriations bill contained Transportation Security Administration funding for explosives detection systems and other security measures -- it was opposed by House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio), Rep. Pete Hoekstra (R-Mich.), and Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.) among others.

"It is not so much that the DCCC will be holding people accountable but the American people will be holding people accountable. They deserve to have that info and we will make sure they have it," Van Hollen told Sam Stein. "And I'm assuming our Republican colleagues will have an opportunity to explain why they voted against additional resources for homeland security."

(And remember, it's not just the House.)

I don't doubt Van Hollen's sincerity, but it's probably a little early to say what the driving issues of the 2010 cycle will be. The point, however, is that if national security is a major factor on voters' minds, the DCCC believes it has a compelling pitch to voters -- House Republicans voted against funding for screening operations and explosives detection systems at airports, and voted against funding for the military during two wars.

—Steve Benen 3:45 PM Permalink | Trackbacks | Comments (9)

Comments

If Van Hollen thinks this is a good issue, it needs to be front and center now while everyone is focused on the issue.

Posted by: Th on December 31, 2009 at 3:50 PM | PERMALINK

Why do so many of the public (?) and military believe that national security "belongs" to Repubs, despite their failings? Is it silly amygdalar buzzing? Note by contrast, most scientists are Democrats by a wide margin. We need to understand and utilize.

Posted by: neil b on December 31, 2009 at 3:57 PM | PERMALINK

I think the issue should be one focus among many. It's way past time that the republicans/conservatives in Congress and their members in the "liberal" media be forced to confront the results of their ineptitude. President Obama provided the opportunity for them to work with us on finding solutions to the problems we face. They decided to kick dirt in the faces of liberals and the POTUS 24/7 instead. I'm not a vengeful person, but I'm a firm believer in one being held accountable for one's words and actions.

Posted by: majii on December 31, 2009 at 4:07 PM | PERMALINK

the DCCC at least says it intends to turn the tables as the midterms approach.

Why wait? By then, unless there is a fresh crotch-bomber, the public will have forgotten the details.

Posted by: qwerty on December 31, 2009 at 5:00 PM | PERMALINK

The Repub's may wish for people to get collective amnesia, but voters know the GOP are big fuck-ups when it comes to national security, and they're gaining confidence in how Obama is handling the challenge.

The GOP should not run on this for the mid-terms, they have no play.

Posted by: SteinL on December 31, 2009 at 5:03 PM | PERMALINK

"In the wake of the failed terrorist attack on Christmas"? I knew those dirty liberals wanted Christmas under the ground, but who would have thought....

Posted by: ericfree on December 31, 2009 at 8:04 PM | PERMALINK

Well, that's all great and everything, but why not hammer them with it now, then, and every minute in between?!!! That's the problem with the Dems; they just don't have that sustained killer instinct.

Posted by: Varecia on December 31, 2009 at 11:28 PM | PERMALINK

Sorry, Steve, but unfortunately, I think the contrarian opinion will win out here (with, IMHO, awful results for the country) - for the Republicans, the failed "crotch-bomber" will, I think, prove a fundraising and PR godsend.

The fundamental problem, as usual, is not with our dysfunctional political parties, but with we ourselves. Americans, by and large, don't really care about the reality of security issues - we have become fixated on the appearance of "reality", and are WAY too quick to model our notions of how "security" should work on popular [sensationalist] fiction - rather than dull old real life.

The Republicans, I think, more than the Democrats, know this, and know which buttons to push in their ads and PR - facts be damned.

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