Conservatives, would you still support the Iraq war if a Democrat was in the White House?

Question

Or do you simply support the war because a Republician is in office? A civil answer, if possible, would be appreciated.

Answer 1

I'm no kind of conservative (neither are most self-identified "conservatives," but I digress), but this is a good question.

The party-line tribal identification thing is really completely out of control in this country. And of course it's encouraged by politicians, because it's much more effective to corrall idiots on false pretences than to speak intelligently to the few who are capable of listening intelligently.

Answer 2

I'd say the same thing I do now, regardless of whether the war was started by a Dem or Republican.

The war in Iraq was a mistake. Through 20/20 hindsight, we know that Iraq's WMD program was a joke.

However, we are there now. We cannot go back in time and prevent the mistake, so we have to work on a solution based on current events. To pull out and leave without stabilizing the country first, would be folly of the highest order.

First, if we leave without leaving Iraq with a strong gov't and strong security, it will only turn into another Afghanistan after the Soviets left, with another Taliban like group eventually seizing control, oppressing the people, and acting as a haven for terrorism. We would be inviting more terrorist attacks throughout the region and eventually against the west. By abandoning Iraq, we would only shift the problem 5 - 15 years down the road, after we are attacked again, perhaps numerous times.

Second, we owe it to the people of Iraq to do this since we invaded and upset the order of things. We owe it to them to leave them with a functioning gov't that they elect for themselves.

This should not be a Democrat or Republican issue. That the Democrats have invested so heavily in our defeat and abandoning Iraq is sheer idiocy, and an enormous reason why we cannot trust the Democrats to handle our national security.

The Dems may win one or both houses of Congress this election, but they will never win another presidency unless the Dems put up a strong national security candidate like JFK, Johnson or Leiberman.

Answer 3

I would support the Iraq war no matter who was in office.You should to.How do you think the soldiers feel knowing that they are fighting a war without the publics support.Think about it you go over there and watch your buddy die only to leave the country as soon as a demacrat gets in office.Iraq had a 12 years to verify that they had disarmed and they jerked us around I say stay until the job is done.Other than the soldiers what have you sacrificed for the war effort?We needed to invade Iraq in 1991.And if we fight Iran and North Korea I will support the democrats or the republicans.

Answer 4

I consider myself as conservative as you can be. I was raised Democrat, then found out (as most do) that when you pay the taxes, your values change. Especially if you throw in a strong dose of 2nd amendment. But I digress. Yes, I would certainly support the effort in Iraq if a Dem was in office. I don't support every action we take as a government, I'm not party-blind. But the war in Iraq was for good cause, and we need to finish what we started. Was that civil enough?

Answer 5

I'm a Democrat, and first off i can tell you even with a democratic president, we won't be out of this soon. it takes time to ease out of these types of things and time to repair the damage done. that being said, i don't think you'll see the support for the effort change on either side, what you will see is contradictions about how to approach this. will the republicans still support the war? those that support it now surely will, they might not agree with how a democratic president handles some of the issues related with that though.

Answer 6

I will support the President of the United States, acting as Commander-in-Chief for the nation's best interests regardless the political party--unless he shows and displays treasonist activities that bring harm to the nation and the Constitution.

I think more could have been done by past presidents and this one, but 20/20 hindsight is always clear too. I am thankful that John Kerry is not in office.

Answer 7

Something should change where more countries get involved in this kind of battle. Why always US & only a few allied forces. Why isn't USA cutting illegls and send more Back-up, it's almost suicide.Now instead of peacemakers we are thought of as bullies and to some extent rightly so. Since Iran has nukes why tell N Korea not to esp when it will lead to more friction.

Answer 8

A Democrat going to war to protect America?! It'll never happen! Cowardice completed its takeover of the Democratic Party the moment Lieberman left. There is no such thing as a Democrat that would fight for America.

Answer 9

It depends on what he would be doing with the war.

If he tried to micromanage it like LBJ did, then no. If he ordered useless engagements like Clinton did in Afghanistan, no.

If he had a clear objective, like Kosovo, yes.

Answer 10

Now that's an intelligent and interesting question!! I'm a Repub. and yes I would. That's a civil answer, isn't it? I will not compromise my views to satisfy political affiliation. It's just that the Repubs represent my viewpoint almost exclusively. Let a Dem stand up for RIGHT and I may support them. Then again, do you think that'll happen anytime soon?