Would a successful conclusion in Iraq before the 2008 elections help or hurt the Dem's chances at the...?

Question

presidency? (sorry, ran out of room)

Answer 1

First of all, you should know that what happens in Iraq is of no consequence to what the Democrats will say about Iraq.

I guarantee you that even if the Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds are all sitting around singing Kumbaya to each other, the Democrats will be talking about how we've screwed up the Middle East and they have to be elected to fix it.

Success in anything involving public policy is inadmissible in the party view. Why? It's because their core value and belief system is based on rescuing victims from the evil doings of the greedy back-room deal-makers. They need three ingredients for every campaign:

1. Victims. These are the oppressed - as many as they can convince that their problems and challenges are not their fault.

2. Evil-doers. (Generally the Conservative Republicans). These will also include Evangelical Christians, right-to-lifers, wealthy white male businessmen (Note: Oprah is NOT evil), and of course all of us misguided red-state rubes who vote in the evilest of the evil-doers.

3. Saviors. These are the compassionate, caring Democratic politicians who (given the power that they seek) will ride into office on a white horse and purge the evil-doers once and for all.

If these elements are missing, they will manufacture them. See how today, with a booming economy, they can still look you in the eye and tell you that the economy is "only benefiting the rich".

Sen. Jim Webb , in the Dems response to the SOTU speech intoned that “Wages and salaries for our workers are at all-time lows as a percentage of national wealth, even though the productivity of American workers is the highest in the world”.

This is a problem?

Last time I checked, having your wages become a smaller and smaller percentage of your net worth was a sign of increasing wealth and personal financial stability. What's the alternative?

But never mind...it makes no difference to the Democrats. They know that the average self-anointed victim will hear this sound bite as dire news…it just SOUNDS so ominous!

In 2008, Iraq will be horrible, no matter what Iraq is, as will everything else. Get ready to wallow in the mud for the next 20 months.

Answer 2

Hurt it very badly, perhaps totally, because Bush would still be in control of the country and the armed forces, so the victory would still be seen as as least partly his work.

Furthermore, most of the Democrats wanted from almost the start of the war for the troops to pull out, albeit gradually, so victory of any degree in Iraq would simultaneously confirm the President's last strategy (either the surge or anything after that) and void the Democrats' withdrawal-based strategies.

Answer 3

i imagine it is taken into consideration necessary that all of us concentration on what's perfect for the country and under no circumstances make the conflict right into a political football. i believe that we go with to achieve fulfillment in Iraq. If sufficient people disagree (or the Republicans fold), then Democrats will win. i imagine which could be undesirable for the country yet again i go with leaders who do what they imagine is sweet and do not continually watch the polls.

Answer 4

I think it may limit the damage to the Republicans.

I asked a similar question last week.

I hope that whatever is best for the country, Iraq and the world is what ends up happening, irrespective of who it helps in the elections. I'm sure you and almost everyone else agree.

Answer 5

i think it will make it a closer race, but the damage is done. however, i really, really dont see a successful conclusion in that time frame, unless the Dems limit the funding or somehow find a way to end it. in that case, it will further help the democrats.

Answer 6

I don't care. It would be great for America, though. Let's hope Iraq isn't an issue in the 08 elections.

Answer 7

if peace in Iraq before 2008, Democrats lose the election.
and Democrats won 2006 was because of Iraq.
so who really wants President Bush's plan to fail?? you tell me.

Answer 8

Probably hurt. I can't see how a victory in iraq could help them. The only scenerio i can think of is that they'll claim our victory was due to them taking power in congress. But how can they claim victory with everything they're doing to undermine our efforts there?

Answer 9

the only way to be successful in iraq before 2008
is by impeach the president and make him leave the office
let hope the new congress have the guts to do so!!

Answer 10

I'll take a "successful conclusion" no matter who it helps or hurts.

Within six months of our "withdrawl" (or whatever you want to call it), they'll be right back to slaughtering each other anyway.

Ya think?