IS THERE A PROGRESSIVE WAY OF LOOKING AT NATIONAL SECURITY?

Yes, and tomorrow at the Take Back America Conference, a progressive national security caucus of Democratic challengers from around the country will be presenting a kind of platform-- "A Responsible Plan For Ending The War In Iraq"-- they intend to run on as an alternative to the message of hubristic aggressiveness and self-serving fear and divisiveness that comes out of the Bush Regime. Among the Democratic candidates who have worked on this proposal are Eric Massa (D-NY), Darcy Burner (D-WA), Donna Edwards (D-MD), Sam Bennett (D-PA), and Tom Perriello (D-VA), although I've spoken to several other Blue America candidates who tell me they are also adopting the plan, which has been guided into existence with the help of several high ranking military officers and national security experts. It's especially exciting that these progressive leaders aren't waiting around for the DCCC to do some polls and focus groups and tell them what they can and can't say. Yesterday Darcy released this clip from General Paul Eaton explaining why he's part of this effort. And here's the new one Darcy posted today-- from Brig. General (ret) John Johns: