Republicans attack 'weak' Democrats

E.J. Dionne, Jr. - Washington Post Writers Group

12.13.05 - WASHINGTON — After this week's elections in Iraq, will our national debate be about what the United States should do to salvage the best outcome it can from a war policy that has been riddled with errors and miscalculations? Or will we mostly discuss how politicians should position themselves on the war?

Here's a bet on the triumph of spin. Politicians, especially Democrats, will be discouraged from saying what they really believe about Iraq for fear of offending “swing voters.” Slogans about “victory” and “defeatism” will be thrown around promiscuously.