By Steven Jonas, MD, MPH – August 29, 2007
For the past two columns I have been talking with you about
Karl Rove’s present supreme objective: the establishment of the Permanent
Republican Presidency (PRP). That he has suddenly left the White House is
an indication that he will, likely already is, heavily involved in the 2008
elections, with this as his goal (see my Commentary on BuzzFlash at
http://www.buzzflash.com/articles/jonas/074). The Democrats --- Presidential
candidates, Congressional membership, commentator/analysts, and rank-and-file
--- all have a major role to play in all of this. In fact, I am, sure that
Rove is counting on them to do their part. In this column I lay out what
the Democrats need to do to ensure that Rove’s objective is indeed
achieved. Long-time readers of mine know just how much I like to write
“what the Democrats must do” columns. Well, here’s another one.
Some of these tasks are those of all of the Democratic constituencies, some for
just one to three. We will consider the tasks serially.
On Iraq:
As I have discussed in this space and on BuzzFlash a number
of times now, it is becoming ever more clear that the Georgite goal in Iraq is
the creation of Permanent War, for that it is the only route to the
establishment of the Permanent Republican Presidency. Others are picking
up that theme as well. As far as Iraq is concerned, Bush cares not a wit
about that nation itself or the Iraqi people themselves. What he does
care about is the ongoing American presence in Iraq, the ongoing violence in
Iraq, yes the creation of new potential terrorists in Iraq, the creation of a
new branch of something that labels itself "Al Qaeda in Iraq" even if
bin Laden's base is somewhere in the territory of the U.S. "ally"
Pakistan. The reason Bush will not negotiate with anybody, much less the
Democrats, on any plan for Iraq withdrawal is that for Bush, withdrawal is
simply not on the table.
And so, to ensure the PRP, it is vital that none of the
Democratic constituencies, especially the Presidential candidates, raise this
as an issue. Further, it is vital that the Presidential candidates (with
the exception of Kucinich and Richardson) must present positions on Iraq that
are nuanced, not black-and-white. They must surely not talk about
immediate withdrawal. They must surely not talk about any “third way,”
neither stay forever nor precipitously withdraw (see my TPJ column no. 159).
Doing so will accomplish two things. It will cause vast numbers of
potential anti-Iraq War voters to say “see, there is really no difference
between the two parties” and just not go to the polls, and it will virtually
ensure the entry of a third party, immediate withdrawal, candidate. Just
what Rove wants.
On George Bush
One could write volumes on George Bush (and I have, in this
space and several others). But it is vital to ensure the PRP for the
Democratic commentator/analysts to persist in the delusion that Bush is being
delusional about Iraq or anything else. He ain’t (see my TPJ column No. 160).
He knows exactly what the reality is and he persists in his policies precisely
because he likes what he sees and wants it. But, heavens, we must never
say that and attack him directly. No let’s just persist in calling him a
raving lunatic.
The Constitution and
the Assault Upon It
This is an issue that all of the Democratic constituencies
must avoid at all costs, and with a few brave exceptions here and there among
the left-wing commentators, the rank-and-file, and Senators Leahy and Reid,
most of them do. “Can’t win an election” on those issues, many say.
Well, as you know, in my view this is the number one issue facing the country,
even more important than Iraq. We had better figure out ways to bring it
into the campaign, for as a sign in my dentist’s office says about your teeth:
“if you don’t take care of your teeth, they will just go disappear.”
Under the Georgites, the Constitution, described by the Head George as “just a
scrap of paper,” is doing a fantastic disappearing act.
For the past three months or so, I have been calling this
the “F___ You Presidency.” Nothing is any of the Congresses’ business, or
the people’s business for that matter. Congress says “do this.” The
President says “F___ You.” And given our non-parliamentary system (which
latter also has its own severe limitations when taken over by someone like
George Bush, e.g., Margaret Thatcher), there is little Congress can do.
But for the direct violations (e.g. of Article VI on torture, the warrantless
searches, the violations of prisoners rights), the Signing Statements, the
Executive Orders, and etc., we must be sure not to frame them in terms that
show the people how they can negatively affect everyday life in this county,
and thus make these major campaign issues, blaming Bush. No, we must
continue to blame the Democratic Congress.
Further on Attacking
the Democratic Congress
To help ensure the PRP our commentators/analysts must act
and write as if when ignored like they are, Congress actually can buck Bush on
the major issues, when he knows so well how to use the powers, real and
made-up-with-no-recourse, of his office. It is also vital for our side to
continue to present the position that “we elected THE Democrats to do A, B, and
C,” as if, A) for the Congress we voted on lists as they do in Israel, not 435
separate Congressional and 33/34 at-a-time Senate seats, B) there were
presently a national “Democratic Position” on the major policy issues, to which
all Democratic Congresspeople adhere, C) that the Democratic Party is not, as
it always been, a coalition, and D) that we are lucky to have ended the
Republican grip on Congress so that at least it can investigate (even if
nothing much comes of such investigations now) and we have a sounding board in
Washington.
No, if we are going to ensure that PRP, we must continue to
attack those Congressional Democrats who don’t fully agree with us and make
them the principal enemy, not George W. Bush. Bush and the Georgites have
massively expanded the Executive Branch powers, on their own authority, and
have a near stranglehold on the Federal courts. So, who needs
Congress? But let’s blame Congress for that, not Bush. That’s a
sure winner for the PRP.
The Big Lie Technique
Under Rove’s tutelage, Bush and the Georgites, have become
past masters at the Big Lie Technique (see Bush’s speech on Iraq and comparing
it with Vietnam to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Aug. 22, 2007). Using
Permanent Fear and Permanent War they may well, in one way or another,
establish Republican control of the Executive Branch for as far as the eye can
presently see. For example, there is the total dyslogic of the President
saying that the nation needs him and the Republican Party (except for its own
weaklings) to protect it against al Qaeda at the same time that he is saying
that al Qaeda is now as strong or stronger than it was on 9/11. And on whose
watch did that occur and for what reasons (like the War on Iraq)? But logic
doesn't apply when Goebbelsian Propaganda is your archetype, as it is for Rove
et al. And heaven help our side if none but one Presidential candidate
(Kucinich) ever points that out. Heaven help us, all of our
constituencies, if we ever Attack on Defense (see my TPJ column No. 149).
Doing that just wouldn’t be right. And doing it would significantly
decrease the chances for success of Rove’s PRP campaign. We couldn’t have
that, now could we?
There is a counter to The Big Lie Technique. It’s called The
Big Truth Technique. But using it requires that positions be taken that
are not nuanced, not on-the-one-hand-this-on-the-other-hand-that, not
unequivocal, like the positions taken by the Big Lie technique with the only
difference being that they are true. Nah, couldn’t have that, now could
we? Why if we did, our side might actually be able to win the Presidency
in 2008. Of course, if we don’t, without the Executive Branch, even with
a Democratic Congress, things are going to get even worse for ourselves, our nation,
and the world. But heavens to Betsy, we cannot focus on the single most
important task facing the Democrats at all levels in 2008: wresting the
Presidency from the Georgites. Nah, we couldn’t have that, now could we?