Democrats' National Security plan leaked to Raw Story

[kpete]

Democrats' National Security plan leaked to Raw Story

RAW STORY
Published: Tuesday March 28, 2006


RAW STORY has obtained a copy of Congressional Democrats' National Security plan, which will be released tomorrow.

The plan, which has been in discussion for some time, was leaked early Tuesday. RAW STORY will print the document in full tomorrow.

The 10-page brochure outlines the party's strategies with regards to securing the US from terrorist attacks and "restoring" the US position abroad. Broken into five parts, the plan outlines the party's strategy for the "21st Century Military," the "War on Terror," "Homeland Security," "Iraq," and "Energy Independence."

Democrats say their first goal if elected to a majority will be the immediate implementation of the 9/11 Commission's recommendations. The plan repeats this goal, or objectives relating to it, several times, calling for tighter screening at chemical and nuclear plants and key parts of America's transportation and agricultural infrastructure. Specifically, it alludes to the Dubai ports deal, saying the party won't cede ports to "foreign interests that put America at risk."

In the area of energy independence, Democrats plan on "eliminating reliance" on Middle East oil and exploring alternative energy sources. They intend to ensure "energy independence" from foreign oil by 2020.

The focal point of Democrats' plan for the military is to guarantee certain levels of pay and ongoing benefits to American soldiers, as well as securing nuclear materials and expanding US Special Forces. They call for the U.S. to prevent the creation of future terrorists by the "elimination of terrorist breeding grounds."

On Iraq, the party seeks accountability for intelligence failures and intends to "repair" alliances and ensure Iraqi self-reliance.

more at:
http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/Democrats_National_Security_plan_leaked_to_0328.html



RAW STORY will print the full report tomorrow. It is to be unveiled at 1 pm EST at Union Station in Washington D.C.

[Teaser]

1. What does the Iraq bullet point mean?

I'm sorry, but that statement is so fuzzy as to be meaningless.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

26. It means Iraq isn't going to be resolved by the 2006 elections.

Still too hot a potato, it seems.

[Blaze Diem]

2. Who saw fit to LEAK this?

And WHY Now?

[edbermac]

3. Looks like WE leaked it...

[Blaze Diem]

5. Why leak it ahead of schedule?

Terrible when every move from your government is questioned and doubted..

[Teaser]

29. To build buzz

is my guess.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

25. If you're a Democrat...

...you only leak it to RawStory if you want to get it out there.

[DoYouEverWonder]

4. Brazil is going to be 100% free of foreign oil imports this year

If they can do it, why can't we?

[ceile]

6. "elimination of terrorist breeding grounds"?

What exactly does that mean? Sounds like something Bush would say in order to bomb Iran or some other country......deja vu.

[sandnsea]

7. It means nation building

It means getting it right in countries like Afghanistan, truly helping NGO's and local business build the infrastructure and economies and governments of the future. It does not mean bombing anybody, although I'm sure the Dem bashers will twist it that way.

[Rose Siding]

10. I read it as a jab against what Iraq has become

[understandinglife]

20. It means sending Bush, Cheney, the WHIGERs, Rumsfeld, Bolton, ...

... and other occupants of the most effective "terrorist breeding ground" (i.e., the White House) to Jail, for starters.


If You're pro-Bush, You're anti-America

[Lerkfish]

8. WHICH democrats? DLC? DNC? why leak against ourselves?

[rodeodance]

15. says 'Congressional Democrats"

[Lerkfish]

18. broad description. Does it include ALL congressional dems?

[rman]

9. Same ingredients,

slightly different mix. As the Repubs.


"implementation of the 9/11 Commission's recommendations"?

They should investigate that commission's conflicts of interest and its omissions.

[Nikki Stone1]

11. Yes,what we should really call for is a NEW 9/11 commission

But at this point, we don't have much of an alternative.

[rman]

16. From this leak it looks like Dems see no alternative.

I'm curious though where exactly this leak originates.

[treegiver]

21. Leak origins

I suspect the ultimate source is an embargoed press release, and that "leaked" is a bit of a stretch.

"They laughed at Columbus, they laughed at Fulton, they laughed at the Wright brothers. But they also laughed at Bozo the Clown." Carl Sagan

[Nikki Stone1]

22. What is an embargoed press release? Thanks, NT

NT

[treegiver]

24. One you're not supposed to talk about until some specified time.

It's common practice and breaking the rules is a violation of journalistic "ethics". Some journo or party operative probably passed Rawstory a copy. Doesn't seem like a big deal to me.

"The governors of the world believe, and have always believed, that virtue can only be taught by teaching falsehood, and that any man who knew the truth would be wicked. I disbelieve this, absolutely and entirely. I believe that love of truth is the basis of all real virtue, and that virtues based upon lies can only do harm." Bertrand Russell

[rman]

27. Makes sense,

So this thing is for real.

The contents are not much of a surprise to me, but it doesn't bode well. More of the same, perhaps a little less of it.

[Kansas Wyatt]

19. Just think if the Democrats would have raised Hell back

During the Iran - Contra Scandal and the BCCI Scandal. Demanded accountability and punishment for all those involved, and allowed nothing to be swept under the rug.

Why, we wouldn't have the same Loonies corrupting and screwing up the United States Government today. Deal with it when you have the chance, or suffer the consequences later.

[rodeodance]

12. seeking accountability--now i want to see THIS.

.....On Iraq, the party seeks accountability for intelligence failures and intends to "repair" alliances and ensure Iraqi self-reliance.

[rodeodance]

13. "Real Security"----um... not an eye catching phase. (to me)

[blm]

14. Most of this is Kerry's 2004 plans that Dem pundits acted deaf and dumb

about. And that was BEFORE the rest of the 9-11 report and the DSM came out. Some things need GREATER scrutiny now.

I hope Dean has a good team in place to disseminate the proposals. MacAuliffe had the old Clinton talking heads, who were only schooled in defending Clinton for years and knew little about any other Democrat or the current issues.

[madfloridian]

17. Anyone have a cache of the previous Third Way site?

I think that logo at Raw Story is from there. It is not at the new site
http://www.third-way.com/

But it sure looks like the old logo at the older site. I know that logo looks familiar. Could be my imagination.

[mmonk]

23. I withhold judgement

but don't see anything that takes care of the problems we're in. I'll wait for the full version. I want to make sure its' not a meet the new boss, same as the old boss scenario.

[mvd]

28. Well, folllowing through on the 9/11 Commission report..

is a good start. Also, if we get control, we should hold hearings into those unanswered questions. As for Iraq, I still think we should get the armed forces over there home, starting now.

[Rainscents]

30. I'll wait until full document is released.