Is it possible that Democratic leaders don't want the occupation to end while Bush* is in office?

[Toots]

If the occupation is still on going and the Democrats win the Presidency they can show true leadership and end the occupation and cement their role as the true adult leaders of our nation, while at the same time showing the Republicans for what they are. Quacks... I sure would love to experience another eight years of relative Peace and Prosperity as America enjoyed before Republican Control. This eight years will be remembered as nothing but War, misery, humiliation, and grand theft.

[MistressOverdone]

1. One would hope not

however, what's that saying, "all's fair in love, war and politics"?

The war is a good rallying point for Dems, I think. Without it there would be more apathy (in my opinion).

[BOSSHOG]

2. I think what the dems fear

is bush all of a sudden becoming a peacenik early 2008 and turning the gop into the party of love and peace and middle east solutions which is necessary to oppose the evil war mongering democrats. With republicans it has nothing to do with solutions or peace, just winning elections. bush is a humongous failure. Nothing can change that. faux "news" could spend a billion dollars but bush's legacy is in concrete because faux can't alter the facts (except to those who want facts to be altered like "christians" and "conservatives.")

[texastoast]

7. Yeppers n/t

[RufusTFirefly]

3. Sure. Let's be "strategic" and kill and maim thousands more. n/t

[Toots]

4. What is your justification for them continuing to fund the occupation?

I remember all too well when Reagan/Bush prolonged the detainment of American citizens until after they were sworn in (Iran-Contra) so they could be the heroes and be credited with the release of the hostages. It does happen that some people think the ends justify the means..

[RufusTFirefly]

8. Justification? The oil isn't safe yet.

Democrats and Republicans in a remarkable show of solidarity are blackmailing the Iraqi government into privatizing the country's oil.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

5. Not just possible but probable. What's a few thousand lives if we can win the election?

Knowing politicians for what they are, I have no doubt that many of our "leaders" are playing politics with the war. With the usual promises about taking a "different course" in Iraq after voting to fund it.

[texastoast]

6. Scuse my cynicism

But isn't everyone (stockholders, 401k folks, etc.) just making a lot of blood money on the market right now?

And a bunch of those corporate types have lined not only the pockets of the vile Republicans but also the campaign coffers of many Dems as well.

So my prediction is that not too much noise will be made (other than blustering) about ending the war right away. I think the Dems will let the Republicans take the heat (and Dems and Repubs alike rake in the dough) for at least the remainder of shrub's term.

The Republicans are going to make it easy for the Dems to look honorable once a Democratic president is elected. Let's just hope the Dems don't blow this chance.

[Rex]

9. Possible yes, probable no.

I think the Dems are finding out what fresh Hell George and Denny left for the new majority. Some are working on bringing the BFEE to answer for their crimes, we shall see if they are successful or if money really is the be all end all of things.

[Lerkfish]

10. that would be a stupid, wasteful reason and hard to explain to the widows

but its no more stupid and wasteful than whatever reason they have now.

[RogueSpirit]

11. I doubt it...

For starters, this is Bush's war and one thing I can say, there is NO WAY bush will win the next election, so whats the point?

Knowing that, the leadership would take way too much of a hit by leaving this war in place until bush is out of office. For one, thing, they would take too much of a PR hit. another thing, how would it look if it ever came out that they decided to wait? In order to do that you would have to have so many peopl on board that it would almost have to be a conspiracy and anytime there is a conspiracy, someone will talk.

[Rydz777]

12. It's possible, but it would be tragic, shortsighted, and politically

stupid. The last thing the new Democratic President needs in January 2009 is to have to deal with this war. It would suck all the oxygen out of the first months of the new administration - a time that could be spent implementing a new and positive agenda.