Hit 'em Where They Ain't

Hit ‘em where they ain’t. It’s a time honored axiom for combat, sports, marketing, and politics. It means that you should attack an opponent where they’re at their weakest.

The recent AFL/CIO sponsored debate as well as recent ads have seen the Democrats finally acting like the liberal progressives they need to be, and that we need in Congress and the White House. The Republican Party is weak on health care, weak on education, weak on the economy for average Americans, and weak on defense. That’s right. They’re weak on defense, and moreover, the Democrats have figured that out.

The Democratic presidential hopefuls have finally attacked the Republicans where they are at their very weakest. It is ludicrous to not attack the Republicans for their shameful record on supporting our troops. They’re willing to send them to Iraq and Afghanistan to be shot at, but not to care for them and their families when they come home hurt. The Democrats are finally taking their rightful place on the moral high ground against Republican lies about the war. They need to keep it up. They need to keep on pushing the issue of aftercare for our troops, and the fact that the people who put them there have real blood on their hands. This isn’t a political issue; this is a genuine flesh and blood issue.

The Democrats also need to keep pushing the issues of job losses and health care. The Republicans had twelve years in control of Congress and almost seven in control of the Presidency, and our jobs are going overseas and our health care costs are spiraling out of control. This isn’t just pandering to the fears of voters; this is, finally, a real debate with people’s livelihoods and health in the balance.

We're right. Now, it’s time to shout it from the rooftops. Every Democratic challenger should already be going after the Republicans on these issues. We’re right. They’re wrong. They don’t have to go after each other in debates. They can go after Republicans with real ideas, and voters will be drawn to that. This is an incredible chance: a chance for the Democrats to truly run positive campaigns against each other while going after the Republicans on issues they have shamefully mismanaged.

It’s time for the Democrats to hit the Republicans where they ain’t.