The talk of a new al-qaeda attack on the US or our allies is like an alarm to the end of (for lack of a less dismissive term) recess. For those Democrats who have long insisted that the terror threat is not real, tonight must pose a frightening realization that they face significant and difficult work; at least, let us hope that is their reaction. Over the last four or more years, many Democrats have enjoyed the luxury of holding a position on the terror threat that is at once both easy in burden and persuasive in effect.

The liberal position is that of dismissive critic: Just point to the lack of successful terrorist attacks on our soil and say that the lack of terrorism is because of a lack of terorists. (And point to the administration’s silence on the charge as laziness, instead of what it really is: an inability to advertise disrupted terrorist plots at the risk of exposing sources and methods). It’s an easy case to make–it makes itself, and our safety makes it persuasive.

It is possible to hold such positions only because the Bush administration has been so successful in its anti-terror efforts. To the extent that the war on terror is now portrayed exclusively as a dark lever to advance the Republican global agenda (whatever that is) and line the pockets of friends, the Bush team is a victim of its own success.

But now the liberal Democrats taking over the White House lose the luxury of spitballing from the bleachers, criticizing without contributing, and playing the threat entirely for political advantage. If they truly do not believe there is a threat, then we are all in for several quick, tragic, and bloody surprises. More likely–let us hope–is that as Democrats read the news tonight, they are thinking (for the first time since just after 9/11, unfortunately) just how they should prosecute a war against an enemy who considers kids eating hot dogs in Penn Station to be a worthy target.

I’lll bet they’re also wondering what sort of seasoning will taste best when they eat their words about rolling back President Bush’s powers to protect the homeland.

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