Isn't this going to be the deciding factor in 2008?

Question

I hear libs say a democrat will win in 2008 because "most Americans want the troops home" but don't you think what it really is going to come down to is this:

Do you want the troops home defeated, or do you want the troops home in victory?

And it's not about whether there is a 'military' solution or not. If we leave and Iraq's government falls because we weren't there, it will be viewed as a military loss. On the other hand if we stay long enough for it to work out in Iraq, it will be viewed as a military victory.

When it comes to electing a president in 2008, I believe it will go down as whether most Americans want Retreat and Defeat, or whether most Americans want Perseverance and Victory.

Answer 1

Here are the main facts for the 2008;
1) Illegal aliens
2) Terrorists
3) War in Iraq
4) National Security
5) Socialized medicine
6) National debt

In this order. Hillary and the other Democrat candidates have already said in their debates that they have no intention of bringing the troops home. They are afraid that we will win and they will be right there to take the credit. Dems are also afraid of looking like peaceniks and being weak on terrorism and national security.

Answer 2

Iraq is SO complex. We have tried so hard, with honorable intentions at the start! It's hard to help a country that won't help itself. I don't think we should totally leave the region, but I think that we will have to fall back and let the Iraqi's do what ever they're going to do. I feel like we might have to step right back in, but I think Iran's saving all the action for a more convenient time. I do think that it's time to start winding down and bringing much of our forces home. Sadly I feel that many of the American People have succumbed to the "Hillary Game Show" rhetoric, and if the rest of us don't speak up and stand up pretty soon, it's gonna get ugly!

Answer 3

Actually the first guy that answered is very wrong. I work for a polling firm and the people who choose illegal immigration as the biggest problem facing america are few. Most people say the War in Iraq or the War on terrorism. Then Healthcare is the 2nd issue. Most people are not talking about immigration. I would say 1 out 12 respondents says immigration as the number 1 or 2 issue.

Answer 4

Your spin is hurting my head. For once, the Dem is right. The election will be a referendum on the war. Though that is more complicated now, with Hilary and others saying they cannot commit to removing troops from Iraq before the end of their first term as Prez. Richardson is the only Dem standing by a pledge to remove all troops from Iraq within 90 days of taking office.

Answer 5

Having two family members in Iraq right now on their second and third tours, I don't care if they come home in victory or not. This has gone on for far too long for no good reason. Thousands on both sides have been maimed and lost their lives.
Victory or defeat? That's only about arrogance. Iraq is already defeated. The government we put in place for them is unwilling to take charge and stand up. That's defeat.

Answer 6

The question is how long will we have to stay in Iraq for it to work out. Give us an objective criteria for victory that can be measured, so that we can know when we can leave.

Is it when all the Sunni in Iraq are dead so that the Shia can establish a religious dictatorship without opposition?

Right now the situation in Iraq follows that old saying that war is politics conducted by other means. Every single faction in parliament has a militia. Many members of the Iraqi police and army owe their allegiance, not to the government, but to a particular politician and moonlight in that politicians militia.

If the only purpose of the U.S. soldier in Iraq is to postpone the full outbreak of an Iraqi civil war or to help eliminate some of the combatants to make it easier for another side to win the civil war, then we have overstayed any mission that benefits this country.

Many people in this country, both moderate Democrats and moderate Republicans, who supported the initial invasion have come to the conclusion that none of the major politicians in Iraq want a real political solution. Those Iraqi leaders who want us to stay want us to stay to give them an advantage in the civil war. These people are not our friends and will never be our friends. Its time to withdraw and let them fight it out themselves.

Answer 7

who the heck knows what the deciding factor in 2008 will be? Its a year away. Hundreds of things can change between then and now. Iran could have nuked Israel by then. China could have invaded the US. We could be in a serious depression. there are so many things that can change that deciding what the deciding factor in 2008 is now is about as relevant as determining what the deciding factor in 2016 is.

Answer 8

The military's function is over. War is won on multiple fronts. The miltary's job is to use force. That job ended years ago. The next front is politics. This is the Executive Branches job to open dialog and work with the region to solve the conflicts. Weapons don't solve conflicts. Dialog does. The third phase is resolution. We can't even begin to get to the third phase if we don't start the second phase.

This method isn't much different from a parent disciplining a child. Parent first uses a threat. If child does not react, they may use force (military action). Then, child knows parent is serious and listens to dialog (whoops Executive Branch failed here). Then, parent and child come to a mutual understanding and hug (resolution).

The Republicans have failed at dialog. It's as if they think contineous spankings will solve everything.

Answer 9

Latest polls say most Americans want to finish the job. I agree.

Answer 10

Don't make it black and white. The troops lost when they were denied money for better gear and such. As long as we stay, there will not be peace in Iraq, no matter how long we stay. We lose every time an American dies.