As Ron Brownstein said yesterday in the Los Angeles Times, this plan lacks specifics. However, consider what "specifics" the Bushies ever churn out, e.g., "as they stand up we'll stand down." I would argue that the Dems can't do much more than provide an outline until they get some power in Congress. What's the Bush excuse?

Democrats' "Real Security" Plan

I. Ensure Military Strength

• A.   Rebuild the military; invest in equipment and manpower. This includes strengthening the National Guard.
• B.   GI Bill for the 21st Century - provide enhanced health and other benefits for active, reserve and retired military.

II. Defeat Terrorism

• A.   Eliminate Osama bin Laden, destroy terrorist networks, finish the job in Afghanistan.
• B.   Double size of special forces; enhance intelligence capabilities.
• C.   Combat economic social, and political conditions that encourage the growth of terrorism.
• D.   Contain nuclear materials; discourage nuclear weapons development in Iran and North Korea.

III. Homeland Security

• A.   Implement recommendations of 9/11 Commission.
• B.   Screen 100 percent of containers and cargo bound for the U.S.
• C.   Safeguard chemical and nuclear plants, protect food and water supplies.
• D.   Prevent outsourcing of national security infrastructure.
• E.   Support first responders such as firefighters and emergency medical workers with training, staffing, equipment, technology.
• F.   Protect America from pandemics by investing in public health infrastructure.

IV. Iraq

• A.   Transition to full Iraqi sovereignty asap.
• B.   Insist that Iraqis get their governmental act together.
• C.   Engage in a "responsible redeployment" of U.S. troops.
• D.   "Hold the Bush Administration accountable for its manipulated pre-war intelligence, poor planning and contracting abuses that have placed our troops at greater risk and wasted billions of taxpayer dollars."

V. Energy Independence

• A.   Achieve energy independence by 2020. This means no more oil from the Middle East and "unstable regions."
• B.   Develop alternate energy sources.

pdf file of plan