At this late date everyone should see Iraq as a lost cause. The President is trying to throw a Hail Mary pass to win the game. If there was some chance of success then I could understand backing this strategy. But the game is over. The Hail Mary pass is being thrown an hour after the game ended with no fans in the seats. The cost of this blunder will be the needless deaths of countless US troops.
That being said, I could still at least respect the idea that winning Iraq is vital if the actions of those who thought so matched their rhetoric. While I don’t whole heartedly support the chicken hawk/yellow elephant meme, there is something to be said for it. The President, Mitt Romney, war supporters, surge supporters, and those who want to stay in Iraq for some righteous reason, should explain why they aren’t personally doing all they can for “the cause.” A year or so ago Romney was asked such a question:
The Herald posed the question as Romney – a potential 2008 White House contender and backer of President Bush’s Iraq policy – was honored by the Massachusetts National Guard after he signed a bill extending pay for state workers on active duty.
“No, I have not urged my own children to enlist. I don’t know the status of my childrens’ potentially enlisting in the Guard and Reserve,” Romney said, his voice tinged with anger.
Massachusetts residents can enlist in the National Guard up to age 39. Romney’s five sons range in age from 24 to 35. Neither the Romney children nor the governor have served in the military, Romney spokeswoman Julie Teer said.
After his recent support for the surge and the additional troops that go with it, he should be asked the same question again. If he hasn’t urged for the surge in his own home, why not?
Regardless, I can’t support any presidential candidate that could lead us further into our current morass or lead us into a new one. That makes for slim pickings from either party in my estimation. If Congressman Ron Paul makes a serious run, he most certainly has my vote. Please give him a good look and mention him as a serious candidate to your differently winged friends. The anti-war voices from the right must not be silenced.
Are you saying that your ideal conservative Republican candidate should either
Or ar you just plain anti-war?
A full withdrawal, one stage, ASAP.
The Repub candidates are in a tough position on the Iraq war, much tougher (for once) than the Democrats’. I think it’s because the Republicans have no idea where there base is on this issue.
(FYI, I don’t think Mitt supports the surge. I think he supports trying to make himself look mainstream conservative. If I were him though, I wouldn’t make my position clear until more time has passed. He gains nothing by supporting the surge today, and he’s limiting his options if/when things tank even worse.)
If I’m not mistaken, a majority of Republicans are still drinking the Kool Aid on the Iraqi Occupation, believe victory is achievable, and are certain that more force and less restraint is all that’s necessary.
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That means they cannot win primaries without espousing unpopular — and might I add, stupid — positions.