Crossposted from Daily Kos

In the past couple of days, I've seen a diary, and lots of comments, saying that Dodd is trying to disenfranchise the youth vote in Iowa. I've also seen a diary, and comments, that Obama is using Rovian tactics.

Before we decide that it's "Off with his head!" for either Democrat, both of whom I admire, let me explain why I believe neither claim is true.

Let's look first at some history, because as always, context is everything.

My diary crossposted from DailyKos, because the level of fervor over whose candidate is the Second Coming of FDR, versus everyone else's candidates who are The Devil, has reached epic proportions. The Democratic party really is very prone to self-flagellation during primary season. I thought maybe we could use a laugh over here as well.

I just received a reply from one of my Rebublican senators whom I wrote regarding potential war with Iran. It may not read as encouraging to you, but since I have been writing and receiving stock replies from him for years now, I can tell you that this is subtly different in tone from what I'm accustomed to getting.

zeus4pres over at DailyKos has compiled a the list of senators that need pressuring over the Iraq War, and has composed personalized appropriate letters to use, geared to either Republicans or Democrats.

See the link if you'd like to send a letter but are unsure what to say:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/2/18/13363/8683

There's a thread up on DKos about a memo that Steny Hoyer got hold of regarding the Repug strategy for the House debate.

Here's what it says....

We are writing to urge you not to debate the Democratic Iraq resolution on their terms, but rather on ours.

Democrats want to force us to focus on defending the surge, making the case that it will work and explaining why the President's new Iraq policy is different from prior efforts and therefore justified.

Supporters of candidates are often accused of seeing only the good in their chosen candidate. Here's one area where I think that Wesley Clark is dead wrong: Flagburning.

I'm married to a former Navy Commander, and anyone who has ever been in the military or been married to someone who has can attest to what I am about to say.