In an election-year effort to bolster its image on national security, the Democratic Party unveiled its new platform on that issue last week. The strategy seems vague in places and consists of the same ideas Democrats have supported for some time. Nevertheless, it is difficult for the party to produce anything worse than what Americans have endured under the Bush administration. With the clarification of some details and a commitment to follow through, some of the Democrats' ideas could prove useful in the coming years.
First among the Democratic strategies is a renewed effort to hunt down Osama bin Laden, although critics are doubtful as to what can be done that is not already taking place. One suggestion of the Democrats is to double the number of special forces and spies assigned to the elusive terrorist, which certainly could not hurt.
Another facet of the strategy calls for the responsible redeployment of troops out of Iraq in 2006, leading to greater Iraqi sovereignty. Once again, there is seemingly nothing new here. Furthermore, the vagueness of the language leaves many to question whether the party now is supporting a full retreat or a gradual withdrawal of forces. A sustained but greatly reduced troop presence in Iraq would be preferable, and the Democrats need to clarify.
Perhaps most promising is the strategy of eliminating America's dependence on foreign oil by 2020, though again it is void of specifics. It might be that the Democrats are better suited to think outside the box on this issue and present some legitimate alternatives. President Bush has suggested possibilities time and again but has never taken action.
The Democrats also would like to rebuild the military and follow up on the recommendations of the Sept. 11 commission, more ideas they always have supported.
Unfortunately, for Americans hoping for substantive change in national security policies, the Democrats' new platform seems to be more of a political move than genuine reform. However, even such a paper strategy looks good in comparison to the Bush administration's many missteps ' a fact Democrats no doubt are banking on for November.
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