More Of This, Please

I've been lamenting how Democrats have failed to stand up to GOP rhetoric about how Democratic efforts to wind down the war 'endanger the troops'. It's a relatively easy strawman to knock down, but most Democrats choose to ignore it. As usual, where most Democrats are afraid to go, Senator Feingold steps in and shows them what having some balls looks like.

He wrote a letter to CNN's John Roberts who used this GOP talking point.

Money quote-

I write to express my concern about your comments during CNN's Late Edition on April 15th. During the broadcast, you falsely implied that the Feingold-Reid Iraq redeployment bill would "cut off the funds in the middle of a war" for "troops in the field." While I certainly respect differences of opinion in the debate about the war, I strongly object to this mischaracterization of our effort. Our legislation forces the safe redeployment of troops by March 31, 2008, by prohibiting funds for continued military operations after that date, with a few narrow exceptions. Troops in the field would continue to get their salaries, food, ammunition, weapons, and other supplies as they currently do. You went on to suggest that such an approach has "never happened before." In fact, this is precisely the step Congress took in 1993 to end military operations in Somalia.

Thank you, Senator.

After noting that public support is with Democrats on this issue, Feingold concludes-

As Americans continue to closely follow the debate about the war in Iraq, I think we can agree it is critical to ensure they are receiving accurate and comprehensive analysis.

Now see Democrats, was that so hard?