Can the Democrats Win by Just Saying No?

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At an angry Senate hearing this morning, Democrat Ted Kennedy called for Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's resignation. Declining public support for the Iraq War is just one sign of Republican weakness that's kept Democrats unified. They've also held fast against the Bush budget, privatizing Social Security, and John Bolton's nomination to the United Nations. In contrast to the compromises made during the President's first term, Democratic opposition this year has been so successful that he's called them "obstructionists." Is it enough to just say no to the ideological conservatism of the Bush White House? To win some of next year's mid-term elections, will they need their own agenda? We sample views from across the Democratic spectrum. Making News: Rumsfeld Says There Will Be No Iraq Withdrawal Timetable During a Senate Committee hearing today, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld angrily defended the conduct of the war in Iraq. Massachusetts Democrat Edward Kennedy said the war has become a -quagmire with no end in sight.- Dana Milbank, who reports on Congress for the Washington Post, says that even many Republican feel it's time for a timeline. Reporter's Notebook: Supreme Court Backs Seizure of Property for Private Development Homeowners in New London, Connecticut will have to make room for an office complex after today's ruling by the Supreme Court. The Fifth Amendment says governments can take private property by eminent domain if the land is for public use. Traditionally that's meant roads, schools or redevelopment of blighted areas. Today's decision gives allows cities to bulldoze homes for hotels and shopping malls in order to generate tax revenue. We hear more from David Barron of Harvard Law School and environmental attorney Joel Burcat.
At an angry Senate hearing this morning, Democrat Ted Kennedy called for Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's resignation. Declining public support for the Iraq War is just one sign of Republican weakness that's kept Democrats unified. They've also held fast against the Bush budget, privatizing Social Security, and John Bolton's nomination to the United Nations. In contrast to the compromises made during the President's first term, Democratic opposition this year has been so successful that he's called them "obstructionists." Is it enough to just say no to the ideological conservatism of the Bush White House? To win some of next year's mid-term elections, will they need their own agenda? We sample views from across the Democratic spectrum.
  • Making News: Rumsfeld Says There Will Be No Iraq Withdrawal Timetable
    During a Senate Committee hearing today, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld angrily defended the conduct of the war in Iraq. Massachusetts Democrat Edward Kennedy said the war has become a -quagmire with no end in sight.- Dana Milbank, who reports on Congress for the Washington Post, says that even many Republican feel it's time for a timeline.
  • Reporter's Notebook: Supreme Court Backs Seizure of Property for Private Development
    Homeowners in New London, Connecticut will have to make room for an office complex after today's ruling by the Supreme Court. The Fifth Amendment says governments can take private property by eminent domain if the land is for public use. Traditionally that's meant roads, schools or redevelopment of blighted areas. Today's decision gives allows cities to bulldoze homes for hotels and shopping malls in order to generate tax revenue. We hear more from David Barron of Harvard Law School and environmental attorney Joel Burcat.

Washington Post article on Rumsfeld's rejection of Iraq-withdrawal timetable

Micklethwait's WSJ article, 'Cheer Up, Conservatives'

Kelo v City of New London, US Supreme Court on

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Warren Olney