Giving up on Iraqi Democracy? Posted by Shadi Hamid

Knowing what we do about this administration, it shouldn't strike anyone as surprising that Bush and his buddies are giving up on Iraqi democracy. From the New York Times:

“Senior administration officials have acknowledged to me that they are considering alternatives other than democracy,” said one military affairs expert who received an Iraq briefing at the White House last month and agreed to speak only on condition of anonymity. (Hat tip: Andrew Sullivan)

It's time for Democrats to go on the offensive. We don't have to defer to this administration and play nice and cute Lieberman-style. Let's say it like it is: the Bush administration is quite possibly the most hypocritical in US history. They trumpet up democracy and America's mission to "end tyranny," but no one is subverting that worthy mission more than they are, not just in Iraq but throughout the Middle East. They have betrayed our ideals by continuing to coddle dictators in Egypt, Jordan, Algeria, and just about everywhere else. They also continue to green-light torture with impunity. These issues must be raised by Democratic congressional candidates. Let's make this a campaign issue and take our case to the American people. This administration has lost any national security credentials it might have still had left.