Harry Wants to Lose the War Win Elections

It's getting to the point you can't even have a decent policy disagreement anymore. Earlier today, Dick Cheney disagreed with Harry "Run Away" Reid's new Iraq strategy:

"Some Democratic leaders seem to believe that blind opposition to the new strategy in Iraq is good politics," Cheney told reporters at the Capitol after attending the weekly Republican policy lunch. "Senator Reid himself has said that the war in Iraq will bring his party more seats in the next election."

"It is cynical to declare that the war is lost because you believe it gives you political advantage," Cheney said.

Sounds reasonable to me. Any casual observer can see that Democrats have been playing the war for political advantage, from original approval to the criticism that almost immediately followed. Reid can say all he wants that "no one wants to succeed in Iraq more than the Democrats" but there isn't a single piece of substantive policy to back that up.

So instead of even trying to put up some lame explanation as to how declaring Iraq a loss, or how an almost immediate withdrawl is evidence of his desire for success, Reid offers an oh so familiar comeback:

"I'm not going to get into a name-calling match with the administration's chief attack dog," he said.

Two obvious points. First, no one called Reid a name. They criticized the motives behind his latest policy suggestion, an exercise practised every day by his own party without anyone from the administration accusing them of personal insults. Second, in what world is calling someone an "attack dog" not getting into a "name-calling match?"

It's such an silly and overused MO. Act offended by something that never occurred, claim the moral high ground, and then respond using the supposedly offensive tactic.

Fortunately for Reid and other Democrats who use this strategy constantly, a friendly press never bothers to do anything but nod its collective head and go to print.

The New York Post has more on how dangerous Reid's remarks are, and the likely frightening result, and Power Line thinks Harry is a backfire:

Reid has been an unexpected bonanza for the Republicans.