A Left Turn FOR CLARK

Note. Although I originally wrote this in late September, I added this piece to the "A Left Turn FOR CLARK" archives on December 19th 2006, because I think the basic point I was making back in September is just as true today:

Sometimes Democrats are as stubborn as the mule that represents us. How many times can Republicans smack us over the head with a "National Security" stick before we see it coming BEFORE it whacks us? Republicans signal their plans to attack us clearer than Al Quada. Republicans Bush whacked us with "security" in 2002, then they Bush whacked us with "security" in 2004, and now they're trying to Bush whack us with "security" again in 2006.

Thankfully there are signs that the Mule is kicking back, but more from reflex than from strategy, and any boxer knows that's not the best way to win a fight. Bill Clinton was right to get angry at FOX, it was past high time to do so. Anger sets off passion and passion shakes up a game board, and something sure as hell needed to get shaken because the way this game's been played of late, Democrats usually lose. But the fact remains, this fight again started out with Democrats playing defense, and it's a usually a bad idea to always wait for the other guy to land the first punch.