Why the Democrats need to step up to the plate

Very good article by Gary Hart, former Democratic Senator from Colorado, on the crucial steps Democrats should take now in order to gain a real and lasting advantage in upcoming congressional battles and the next Presidential election.

History will deal with George W. Bush and the neoconservatives who misled a mighty nation into a flawed war that is draining the finest military in the world, diverting Guard and reserve forces that should be on the front line of homeland defense, shredding international alliances that prevailed in two world wars and the Cold War, accumulating staggering deficits, misdirecting revenue from education to rebuilding Iraqi buildings we've blown up, and weakening America's national security.

But what will history say about an opposition party that stands silent while all this goes on? My generation of Democrats jumped on the hot stove of Vietnam and now, with its members in positions of responsibility, it is afraid of jumping on any political stove. In their leaders, the American people look for strength, determination and self-confidence, but they also look for courage, wisdom, judgment and, in times of moral crisis, the willingness to say: "I was wrong."

Bush never said, and never will say, he was wrong. On anything. Although we all now know he was and is, and surely will be again.

So are most other Republicans. Probably the smarter part of the electorate will punish them in the next election cycle. Hopefully.

Now, let's also hope someone among the Democrats reads this article.