I will scream and sulk and pout, until my poor skeleton steps out

Tas has a good post at Liberal Avenger today about the virtual abandonment of the antiwar protesters by the very people who should be harnessing their force: The big time Democrats. As he/she/it (I don't know Tas's circumstance) points out, Bush republicans love to site things like the few communists and such among the hundreds of thousands of people who protested last week as reason to discredit the whole movement.

Which is really no more than I expect from Bush republicans, who not only can't see the forest for the trees, they can't see a forest without thinking "Hey, let's burn that down!" But what's unfortunate is that, if Tas is correct:

And isn't it just a kick in the ass when Democrats then point to those communist front groups as a reason to back away from issues that they support? Thinking about this logically, it doesn't make any sense because it's downright hypocritical. Strategically, it's just poor planning and it places the left on the defensive because the Democrats, parroting GOP talking points, have effectively given the high ground on defining who these protesters are to the Republicans.

I think the following speaks to the cynicism of people who questioned the effect the protest would have on the party presently in power. In my view, the protests were never about the party in power. They were about desperately trying to get a sleeping giant to wake up.

And start realizing that a majority of Americans would have their back. If they'd just show us there's a backbone in it.

...we have hundreds of thousands of people marching in the streets who might as well be shouting, "Democrats! Please, please support us!" But no matter how much they beg, the Democrats can't make the obvious connection that if they finally claimed these protesters as their own and organized them, then they could push groups like International ANSWER out of the picture because they would no longer be needed. With one swoop, they could kill a Republican talking point and look like an opposition party for once.

It's about time the Democrats stopped hemming and hawing. It's time to step right up.

I of course, can agree with that. My thing would be to add that I think the reason most Democrats find themselves unable to support the protesters is more than just fear of being labeled "communist." (You know, in 2005, when that really means something.)

I think, and you probably know where I'm going with this, it's because you can't find a big time Democrat in power who didn't support the war. And they cannot say, they simply cannot say, the simple words:

"I was wrong."

Whoever the Democratic nominee ends up being in 2008, I am increasingly convinced it's going to have to be somebody who can stand up and say they never, ever, supported Bush's terrible mistake of a war in any way, shape or form.

No hairsplitting "Well I voted for the resolution, not for this..." Bzz! Your time is up, Mrs Clinton, Mr. Kerry. You had a chance to vote your consience and you chose instead to trust a known incompetent because you thought it would redound to your credit politically.

Thank you for playing, we have a few parting gifts for you, but we need a leader.