Strength Overseas
Our nation stands as a shining example to all the world of freedom and democracy, a unique honor that comes with a responsibility to lead.
Democrats believe that strong international alliances are the cornerstone of our foreign policy. The threat from international terrorism and rogue states requires a new era of alliances led by the United States, based on mutual respect and shared vision.
The day before House Republicans hold sham hearings to further stall immigration legislation, the President is willing to buckle to the extreme right-wing of his party in order to appear successful at something as Election Day gets closer. Let's admit these hearings are made for media events that leave out critical voices in the debate and focus on one aspect of the immigration debate.
Senior intelligence analysts said that "little if any" consideration was given to intelligence assessments that the war would "increase sympathy for terrorist objectives and make Iraq a magnet for extremists from elsewhere in the Middle East," while former White House advisors called the White House's lack of Middle East experience, "a major impediment to sound policymaking."
While the American people are losing faith in his failed leadership, President Bush continues to engage in divisive partisan rhetoric, instead of offering a real plan for success in Iraq and smart and tough policies to fight the war on terror. Specifically, the latest Bloomberg News/Los Angeles Times Poll shows that President Bush no longer commands the trust of the American people on a host of issues. [Bloomberg News, 6/29/06]
Next week, House Republicans have decided to postpone the passage of much-needed comprehensive immigration reform and will hold town-hall hearings across the country. The hearings, a political ploy to divide Americans, stall much needed reform, and distract from Republican failures, come after Republicans have consistently blocked Democratic efforts to improve America's border security and have been unable to keep our country safe.
It is time for the President to provide these brave soldiers and the American people with a plan for success in Iraq that offers benchmarks for success so we can determine progress on the ground and begin to redeploy our troops.
Today, President Bush met with representatives from U.S. Military Support Organizations who are working hard to help our troops fighting bravely in harm’s way. At the same time, Republicans in Washington continue to divide the American people on the issue of Iraq and refuse to hold President Bush accountable for his failed policies.
An article in today's
New York Times details the GOP's politicization of the debate over a responsible withdrawal and deployment of troops from Iraq. Instead of offering a real plan, Republicans in Washington continue to engage in nasty partisan politics that only serve to divide Americans.
Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean delivers the Democratic Radio Address this week, where he calls on the Bush Administration to end its commitment to a failed strategy in Iraq and talks about Democratic efforts to implement an Iraq policy that's both tough and smart.
President Bush's permanent commitment to a failed strategy in Iraq not only isn't working, its irresponsible. Republicans in Washington have failed to hold President Bush accountable, with deadly consequences. Democrats believe that it's time for a new direction in Iraq and a plan for success that is both tough and smart.
Over the last 24 hours, Congressional Republicans have made very clear their real agenda for the American people. Congressional Republicans are running away from tough decisions and instead are desperately pandering to their base to improve their political standing in November.
An editorial in the Los Angeles times agressively addressed the GOP Immigration Legislation of the House and Senate, claiming that the GOP's move to push back the reconciliation of the House and Senate Bills is simply the Republicans' "preference for...
In an editorial, the
New York Times notes that the unfiltered news from Iraq paints a dramatically different picture than President Bush did during his six-hour press opportunity from within the Green Zone last week.
We expect the Senate to vote on the Iraq resolution today. From the Washington Post, the Republicans are planning hearings on immigration. House GOP leaders yesterday announced a series of field hearings during the August recess, pushing off final negotiations...
Today, U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez will hold a photo-op in Albuquerque, New Mexico highlighting the Bush Administration's failed immigration policies. Gutierrez will have a tough balancing act explaining why President Bush has failed to show leadership and ceded the immigration issue to extremists in the Republican Congress, while the Administration has made a mockery of enforcing existing U.S. immigration laws and employer sanctions.
While President Bush is calling on Americans to "stay the course," op-ed articles in the
New York Times and the
Washington Post discuss President Bush's open-ended commitment to his failed strategy in Iraq.
Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean issued the following statement on the House Republicans’ politically-motivated, non-binding resolution on Iraq.
The situation in Iraq is getting worse, according to the latest numbers from researchers at the Brookings Institution. Democrats remain united that 2006 must be a year of significant transition in Iraq.
Democratic National Committee Press Secretary Stacie Paxton issued the following release on the House Republicans' playing political games with the Iraq War.
Today during a press conference at the White House, President Bush said, “I sense something different happening in Iraq.” His upbeat assessment also included the assurance that “progress would be steady” going forward. He also repeated his assertion that he would “listen to commanders on the ground” when making decisions about American troop levels in Iraq. But, President Bush remains steadfast in his refusal to provide any sort of timetable for the American presence in Iraq nor did he provide a measure for success. [President Bush, Press Conference, 6/14/06]
Almost five years after 9/11, Osama bin Laden is still at large. The President has allowed North Korea to become more dangerous. Iran is threatening to become a nuclear power. And the reality is that there is no strategy from this President to get the job done in Iraq and get them home. Americans simply can't trust Republicans to keep our country safe.
Once again, the Bush White House has failed to give straight answers on the question of when American troops can come home from Iraq, and have consistently contradicted the statements of Iraqi leaders and their own Administration officials.
This week, Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid of Nevada delivered the Democratic Radio Address.
This week, even as Republicans in the Senate are forcing votes on divisive wedge issues to distract Americans from the real issues confronting our nation, including efforts to write discrimination into the constitution, address the non-existent threat of flag burning, and eliminate the estate tax, the GOP-controlled Congress is continuing to ignore crucial issues like the problems in Iraq. Instead of focusing on helping our troops and pressuring the Bush Administration to develop a strategy for success in Iraq that brings our troops home safely, Republicans in Congress are are choosing to forge ahead with an agenda built on divisive politics.
Brian Bilbray, running against comprehensive immigration reform and for the type of punitive and anti-immigrant measures found in the House Republicans' bill, won a special election last night in California's 50th Congressional District
Dean: Instead of showing real leadership, President Bush's southwest tour today highlights his ongoing failure to stand up to anti-immigrant rhetoric and misguided policies from the far-right of the Republican Party. President Bush must reject anti-immigrant and un-American provisions, some of which ended up in the House bill, if he wants a bill worth signing.
This week, State Senator Peter Welch from Vermont delivered the Democratic Radio Address.
Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean issued the following statement on President Bush's speech on immigration this morning to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
On Sunday, the
New York Times editorial board wrote that no matter how long or how many American troops are in Iraq, it is up to the Iraqi government to rid its forces of the brutal and lawless elements if it is to be any better then the former dictatorship.
President Bush has once again failed to offer a real strategy for victory in Iraq and argued that there was no way to have predicted many of the problems that currently plague Iraq. As Memorial Day approaches, the President owes our troops and the American people more than regrets.
With the Senate passage of immigration reform legislation, DNC Chairman Howard Dean issued the following statement: "We congratulate Senate Democrats for their continued leadership, led by Leader Harry Reid, on the important issue of comprehensive immigration reform. Democrats have consistently...
Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean issued the following statement on the Senate passage of immigration reform legislation.
Welcome to the DNC’s Immigration Update. As you may know, the nation's attention has turned to immigration reform, with the Senate currently deliberating on its version of immigration reform legislation. The Senate's action is in follow up to House passage...
Welcome to DNC’s Immigration Update. As you may know, the nation's attention has turned to immigration reform, with the Senate currently deliberating on its version of immigration reform legislation. The Senate's action is in follow up to House passage of...
Welcome to DNC’s Immigration Update. As you may know, the nation's attention has turned to immigration reform, with the Senate currently deliberating on its version of immigration reform legislation. The Senate's action is in follow up to House passage of...
Facing a drop in public support for his failed Iraq policies, President Bush addressed the National Restaurant Association in Chicago, where he continued his tired PR campaign.
While Bush Administration officials continue to claim progress in Iraq, an article in today’s
New York Times reveals that three years later the Iraqi police is a “battered and dysfunctional force” and has contributed to placing Iraq on the verge of civil war.
This week, Congressman Mike Honda of California, Vice-Chair of the Democratic National Committee, delivered the Democratic Radio Address. To listen to the audio, click here. Good morning. This is Congressman Mike Honda of California, Vice-Chair of the Democratic National Committee....
It was a dune buggy, not an ATV.
Welcome to DNC’s Immigration Update. As you may know, the nation's attention has turned to immigration reform, with the Senate currently deliberating on its version of immigration reform legislation. The Senate's action is in follow up to House passage of...
I attended an immigration roundtable discussion yesterday morning with Governor Dean, Betsy Kim, Deputy Director of the American Majority Project, and three dozen leaders from the Asian American community. The immigration question is a challenge we face as a nation....
Today, editorial boards across the country came to the conclusion that President Bush's address last night and his immigration plan lack specifics.
Today the Congressional Black Caucus along with TransAfrica staged a peaceful demonstration at the Sudanese Embassy to highlight the pressing crisis in Darfur.
Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean issued the following statement on the President's address on immigration tonight.
Dean: "After more than five years of sitting on the sidelines it's noteworthy that tonight the President finally joined the call from Democrats for comprehensive immigration reform. Unfortunately, at a time when we needed real leadership, we once again heard a political PR campaign filled with an unrealistic short-term fix, rather than a detailed long term solution."
Governor Dean was in Chicago yesterday to meet with community leaders and discuss immigration reform. Representatives from several Chicago communities including: African-American, Arab American, Asian American, Hispanic, Irish American and Muslim American, as well as labor, Jewish and faith-based communities...
Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean issued the following statement commemorating the "Cinco de Mayo" celebration today.
Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean issued the following statement as millions prepared to march peacefully around the country for comprehensive immigration reform:
On May 1, 2003, President Bush dramatically landed atop an aircraft carrier to proclaim major combat operations over in Iraq. He gave his speech in front of a banner reading "Mission Accomplished."
Today is the anniversary of the "Mission Accomplished" banner.
El Comité Nacional Demócrata (DNC por sus siglas en ingles) anunció una campaña publicitaria que deja clara la verdad de la posición de los Demócratas y los Republicanos en torno a la reforma de inmigración. En un anuncio de radio nuevo en español, los Demócratas dejan claro que los Republicanos son responsables por tratar de criminalizar a inmigrantes, doctores, iglesias, y por impedir que avanzara una reforma de inmigración.
Last week, President Bush declared that he was decisive, that he was, in fact, the “Decider-in-Chief.” Yet, on issue after issue, he has ignored or pushed off big decisions or argued that there was nothing he could do.
Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean issued the following statement today as President Bush delivered remarks on immigration a day after Time Magazine reported that Karl Rove's reassignment in the White House away from policy and to politics included handling the issue of immigration.
Congressman and Democratic National Committee Vice-Chair Mike Honda, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, and California Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuñez issued the following joint-statement today holding President Bush accountable for his failure to secure America's borders and his failed leadership on immigration reform.
Today, President Bush will visit and talk with Marines in Twentynine Palms, CA. Over the past two weeks, six former Generals, some of whom have combat experience in Iraq, called for a change of direction in Iraq and the firing of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) unveiled an advertising campaign that sets the record straight on where Democrats and Republicans stand on immigration reform. In a new Spanish language radio ad, Democrats hold Republicans accountable for trying to criminalize immigrants, doctors, and churches, and for blocking real progress on immigration reform.
Today, President Bush will meet with Chinese President Hu Jintao at the White House to discuss a number of issues. Since taking office in 2001, President Bush’s policy toward China has been a failure on the economic front.
Former high-ranking intellgience official: "The policy was set. The war in Iraq was coming and they were looking for intelligence to fit into the policy. ... people will look back on this and see this is going to be one of the great, I think, policy mistakes of all time."
This week, the Democratic National Committee's Podcast features an interview with U.S. Representative Xavier Becerra of California. In his interview, Becerra sets the record straight on misleading claims made in radio advertisements sponsored by the Republican National Committee. Becerra points...
Today, an editorial in the Washington Post criticized Republicans for launching a misleading ad campaign blaming Democrats for the House Republicans mean-spirited plan to criminalize illegal immigrants and those who help them, including clergy members.
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) today unveiled an advertising campaign that sets the record straight on where Democrats and Republicans stand on immigration reform. In a new Spanish language radio ad, Democrats hold Republicans accountable for trying to criminalize immigrants, doctors, and churches, and for blocking real progress on immigration reform.
President Bush continues to play defense for Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. Seven former Generals have now called for Rumsfeld to resign because of his incompetence and his unwillingness to listen to the advice of our military experts and commanders, some of whom have direct experience in Iraq.
In addition to the seven former Generals who have now called for Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to resign, editorial boards across the country are calling for President Bush to dismiss Rumsfeld and also highlighted President Bush's eroding credibility.
Good morning. This is Congresswoman Hilda Solis from California. As hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets of America's cities for comprehensive immigration reform, all of us got to see the real human face of this vital issue.
An article in today's USA Today notes that despite giving numerous speeches, President Bush has been unable to increase public support for his failed Iraq policies.
When was the last time we heard the President say, you're doing a heck of a job? The last time, President Bush heaped praise on former FEMA head Michael Brown, who resigned only a few weeks later in the wake of enormous public outcry over the incompetent federal response to Hurricane Katrina. But, in the latest example of the Bush Administration's appetite for incompetence, despite twice offering his resignation and despite the news of six former Generals calling for him to step down, President Bush beleives that Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is doing a "fine job" and "a heck of a good job."
Today, the New York Daily News reports that a fourth former General, this time Maj. Gen. John Batiste, who led an Army Division in Iraq until last November, has publicly called for Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's resignation.
Yesterday, White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan dusted off the Bush Administration's most trusted stonewalling strategies. When confronted with uncomfortable facts and legitimate questions they attack the messenger and deflect attention away from the issues and refuse to answer questions.
The Washington Post reported today that President Bush detailed the alleged existence of mobile biological weapons laboratories and claimed that “We have found the weapons of mass destruction,” two days after a “Pentagon-sponsored mission transmitted their unanimous findings to Washington” in a May 27, 2003 field report that directly contradicted the President’s statements. The final version of that report remains classified to this day.
Today, during a speech in Washington, DC, President Bush confirmed that he declassified important intelligence to bolster his case for the war in Iraq amidst growing criticism.
Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean issued the following statement today as hundreds of thousands of people all over the country continued to rally peacefully in support of a tough and smart comprehensive immigration reform bill and against House Republican bill HR 4437 that seeks to criminalize families and clergy
With Bush Republicans seeking to blame Democrats for their own failures in Congress, Democratic National Committee Communications Director Karen Finney issued the following statement.
President Bush detailed the alleged existence of mobile biological weapons laboratories and claimed that "We have found the weapons of mass destruction," two days after a "Pentagon-sponsored mission transmitted their unanimous findings to Washington" in a field report that directly contradicted the President’s statements. The final version of that report remains classified.
This week, House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer delivered the Democratic Radio Address. To listen to the audio, click here. Good morning. This is Congressman Steny Hoyer of Maryland. I am the House Democratic Whip. On March 29th, House and Senate...
Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean issued the following statement on the stalling of a comprehensive immigration reform bill in the U.S. Senate:
The Bush Administration's incompetence and lack of a coherent plan in Iraq is matched only by their incoherence when it comes to their analysis of the situation on the ground. During her recent trip to England, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said that the United States had made "thousands" of "tactical errors" in handling the war in Iraq.
As part of the Democratic National Committee's commitment to reaching out to and supporting America's veterans and military families, DNC Chairman Howard Dean yesterday announced the appointment of regional members of the Democratic National Veterans and Military Families Council and unveiled the Council's new website highlighting the campaigns of more than two dozen Democratic veterans running for Congress.
Today, Derrick Jackson, in a Chicago Tribune op-ed, details President Bush's pursuit of the War in Iraq even after "no conventional weapons" were found, even outlining a scheme to provoke Hussein with U.S planes disguised as U.N. planes.
As part of the Democratic National Committee’s commitment to reaching out to and supporting America's veterans and military families, DNC Chairman Howard Dean today announced the appointment of regional members of the Democratic National Veterans and Military Families Council and unveiled the Council’s new website highlighting the campaigns of more than two dozen Democratic veterans running for Congress.
As President Bush travels to Mexico this week, it is imperative he make up for his past inaction and show real leadership on immigration.
Today, Democratic leaders across the country will join House and Senate Democrats in unveiling a comprehensive plan for providing the American people with real security.
The first responsibility of our government is the security of every American. In this era of unprecedented and unpredictable challenge, we must be prepared for any threat. The men and women of America’s armed forces and those on the...
According to a memo written by a top British official from a meeting between President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair in late January 2003, President Bush told Blair that he was determined to invade Iraq without a second resolution from the United Nations, or even if international arms inspectors failed to find unconventional weapons.
Next week, Republican Senate Leader Bill Frist is likely to introduce a harmful immigration bill on to the Senate floor that will criminalize good Samaritans, including church members and clergy, and does not provide a larger, comprehensive framework for reform or a path to citizenship.
Democratic leaders across the country joined House and Senate Democrats in unveiling a comprehensive plan for providing the American people with real security. The agenda stands in stark contrast to the dangerous incompetence of the Republican leadership.
Ladies and gentlemen, meet the very serious, and dangerous, Republican candidate for President of the United States, Tom Tancredo. Photo Credit: Colorado Political News For Tancredo's money, anyone that arrived in the United States more than 48 hours after his...
Democratic National Committee spokesman Luis Miranda issued the following statement on Vice President Cheney's unpatriotic, false, and divisive tactics during his speech today.
This week, the Democratic National Committee's Podcast features an interview with U.S. Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island, member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. During the podcast, Senator Reed criticized the Bush Administration for offering a public relations campaign rather than real leadership and a strategy for victory in Iraq.
Today, President Bush held a press conference where he unpatriotically attacked Democrats, continued to paint an unrealistically rosy picture in Iraq, and renewed support for his failed domestic agenda.
After years of ignoring the facts, cherry picking information and misleading the American people, the Bush Administration clarified their strategy yesterday: pass the buck. Former RNC Chairman Ed Gillespie led the Republican Party's misleading, divisive and unpatriotic attacks on Democrats this morning in hopes of distracting the American people from noticing that the new strategy looks a lot like the old one.
Vice President Cheney marked the third anniversary of the war in Iraq by using cherry-picked facts to paint a rosy picture that simply doesn’t match the reality on the ground. Echoing his claim our troops would "be greeted as liberators" and that the Iraqi insurgency was "in its last throes," Vice President Cheney said insurgents had "reached a stage of desperation."
This week, Senator Dianne Feinstein from California delivered the Democratic Radio Address. To listen to the audio, click here. Good morning. I'm Senator Dianne Feinstein This week is the third anniversary of the invasion of Iraq - a country that...
Three years after Vice President Cheney said that American troops would be greeted as liberators, the American military today is engaging in the largest air strikes since the war began.
Today, in what has become a hackneyed strategy, President Bush tried to kick-start another PR campaign aimed at deflecting attention away from his failed strategy in Iraq.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Peter Pace, on Meet the Press with Tim Russert yesterday: MR. RUSSERT: If you were to be asked whether things in Iraq are going well or badly, what would you say? How...
For the second time in a week, the Bush Administration will deliver a major address to the nation’s largest veterans’ group the day after the Associated Press revealed drastic cuts to veterans’ benefits in the President’s budget.
Associated Press: The Bush administration wants many military retirees to pay more for health care, a proposal that could force the Republican-run Congress to choose between savvy politics and budget discipline. Only in a Republican controlled congress would funding the...
Most of us saw the news yesterday morning; bombers wearing uniforms entered one of the most sacred Shi'ite sites -- the "Golden Mosque" -- and detonated explosives that blew the top off of the site's signature dome. Dozens died, and...
The Boston Globe reports on a common-sense plan Democrats are putting together for Iraq. Unlike what Republicans have done so far, the Democratic ideas reject crossing our fingers and hoping for the best while glossing over reality with an over-the-top public relations campaign.
Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean issued the following statement today as Republican Party extremist Tom Tancredo joined Minuteman Project co-founder Jim Gilchrist for an anti-immigrant rally at the United States Capitol.
This will probably make your blood boil ... absolutely shameful. The Charleston, West Virginia Gazette: The last time 1st Lt. William "Eddie" Rebrook IV saw his body armor, he was lying on a stretcher in Iraq, his arm shattered and...
