Geoff Staples

Bush wants $200B for Iraq. The money currently allocated will last through January. This sets up a dynamic the Democrats can use against Bush and the Republicans.

The key is to back Bush into a corner that will heap public scorn on him and Republicans who side with him.

Bring up issues that help the Democrats such as S-CHIP. Make it clear that our children are just as important as Bush’s war and if Bush wants to keep his war going, the least he can do is sign S-CHIP, because the Democrats won’t give him another penny for the war until our children have health care. If he tries to use it against us, the answer is, “Bush doesn’t care about children. Our troops are in Iraq fighting for our children – which will do no good if they aren’t healthy enough to have a good life.

Then bring up issues on which the Republicans have an advantage such as national security. Bring up the 9/11 commission recommendations. Pass stronger legislation with proper funding to tie Bush’s hands and implement it. Once again: We won’t pass additional money for the war until the homeland is secure.

Another good issue is education: The Dream Act and making post-secondary education more affordable – once again, we won’t fund more money for Bush’s war until we secure the future of our country by educating our people.