The GOP wants Americans to think that a democratic debate emboldens the enemy. It doesn't. Senator Carl Levin (D-MI) explained what really emboldens the enemy. It's not a debate in the Senate, it's the failed policy of the Bush/Cheney Administration that has emboldened the enemy. Levin's speech laid it out -- and we saw it thanks to Bob Geiger:
"What emboldens the enemy is the almost 4 years' presence of Western troops in the middle of a Muslim country's capital, which causes over 70 percent of the residents of that country to oppose our presence.Levin is right. The GOP doesn't want to talk about Iraq because they can't defend the failure.
"What emboldens the enemy is the open-ended presence of Western troops, which serves as a magnet for extremists and gives a propaganda club to our enemies.
"What emboldens the enemy is invading Iraq without the support of the international community.
"What emboldens the enemy is lawlessness and looters ransacking public buildings and institutions in Iraq.
"What emboldens the enemy is invading Iraq without a plan for the aftermath of the invasion.
"What emboldens the enemy is increasing the number of American troops, which results in Iraqis taking less responsibility for providing security for all the citizens of Iraq.
"What emboldens the enemy is the creation of Green Zones protecting Iraqi political leaders, in which they pursue a winner-take-all political approach."
