Demeaning Democracy
Cheney Paints Lamont Victory As Helping Terrorists
August 13, 2006
By Edward M. Kennedy
Vice presidents are notorious for serving as an administration's chief
attack dog, and time and again Dick Cheney has been unleashed to accuse
anyone who is opposed to the Bush administration of aiding the terrorists.
But this time he has gone too far.
The comments he made on the result of the Connecticut Democratic primary -
that it might encourage "the al-Qaida types" who want to "break the will of
the American people in terms of our ability to stay in the fight and
complete the task" - are an attack not just on Democrats, but on democracy
itself.
What happened in Connecticut is in fact a model for democracies everywhere.
The people of the state heard a vigorous debate between two competing
visions of how to protect this country. Young citizens became deeply
involved, and turnout was high. The primary reminded us of the miracle of
our democracy, in which the nation is ruled by its people - not by any
entrenched set of leaders. There are few better messages we could send the
world in these troubled times.
Cheney's comments about the election were ugly and frightening. They show
once again that he and his party will stop at nothing to wrap Republicans in
the flag and to insinuate that anyone who votes against them is giving aid
and comfort to the terrorists. It's obvious that this administration lacks
basic respect for our fundamental freedoms.
Cheney and his crowd are all for free and open elections - as long as they
turn out their way. They are all for free speech - provided it supports the
administration. They are all for the rule of law - as long as the law does
not prevent them from doing whatever they want to do. When elections,
speeches or laws are inconvenient, he does not hesitate to declare that they
are helping the terrorists. I can think of no graver offense against our
democracy.
Ned Lamont's victory in Connecticut scares Cheney for one simple reason: It
demonstrates that a free and independent people can and do hold public
officials accountable for their words and deeds.
If the terrorists are indeed paying any attention to the Connecticut primary
results, they must be worried.
The people of Connecticut spoke out loud and clear in favor of change. Ned
Lamont will stand strong for the people of Connecticut, and put tough and
smart foreign policies ahead of the politics of fear and more "stay the
course" failures. Republicans will stop at nothing to make sure that the
November elections are not a referendum on their misguided policy in Iraq or
on the way they have run our country for the past six years. Unfortunately,
this time the facts are getting in their way.
The American people are ready to change an administration that let Osama bin
Laden escape. They are ready to change a Congress that let precious years go
by without demanding the implementation of the recommendations of the
bipartisan 9/11 Commission to keep us safe.
They are ready to change a policy on Iraq that has drained our resources,
weakened our security, stretched our troops and recruited new terrorists.
The November election will teach Dick Cheney and others of his ilk that they
cannot use fear to cling to power. As Will Rogers said, "It's no disgrace
not to be able to run a country nowadays, but it is a disgrace to keep on
trying when you know you can't."
Edward M. Kennedy is a U.S. senator from Massachusetts.
