Fish or Cut Bait

I am not sure how much more strongly the message can be said but according to a new Washington Post - ABC poll the American people just told the Democrats what their expectations are in very clear and unmistakable terms. If the Dems can't get the not so subtle hint that we are frustrated by the lack of progress on extricating us from the Bush Iraq disaster and equally frustrated by the lack of focus on domestic priorities then we have serious communication problems.

The message from the American people, as reflected in the poll.... Stand up to Bush, withdraw the troops faster, cut the defense budget and use the money for kids’ health care. Or else.. It is clear and concise and not by some slim margin. Nearly 81 percent of the people polled want the troops out and rapidly.

Most Americans oppose fully funding President Bush’s $190 billion request for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and a sizable majority supports an expansion of a children’s health insurance bill the president has promised to veto, putting Bush and many congressional Republicans on the wrong side of public opinion on upcoming foreign and domestic policy battles. . . .

Overall, 55 percent of Americans want congressional Democrats to do more to challenge the president’s Iraq war policies, while only a third think the Democrats have already gone too far.

America’s spending priorities are also extremely clear:

Two thirds want Bush’s $190 billion request for war reduced, with “45 percent wanting it reduced sharply.” In contrast, Americans overwhelmingly want full funding for the SCHIP bill — children’s health care:
More than seven in 10 support the planned $35 billion spending increase, and only 25 percent are opposed. About half of Americans “strongly” support the increased spending; 17 percent are that firmly against the additional money. And the program expansion has majority support across party lines: Eighty-one percent of Democrats, 69 percent of independents and 61 percent of Republicans are in favor.

The message in the poll cannot be any more plain. America has rejected Bush, rejected his war, rejected his priorities and rejected the Republican party. Americans want the Democrats to do what we elected them to do and that is take charge. They need to stand up to Bush and the obstructionist GOP and if they do the American people will support them. America is frustrated and they want change and they want it now. If the current batch of elected Dems can't effect the change then we will find someone who can. Got the message?