The Five Day War Initiative By Mr. Bush

08/20/2005

Paul Munnis

As Mr. Bush commences his five day initiative to defend the War in Iraq, he has completely missed the key points of opposition.

While most Democrats have reservations about the motive for the war, the legality of it, and many would like to see out troops come home from Iraq, the Democratic Party itself has a quite different complaint. The Democratic Party is unhappy with the conduct of the war in Iraq.

The distinction is one of profound difference.

Democrats are being pragmatic and saying: “Okay, we can debate all of these things but for heavens sake if you’re going to fight a war in Iraq then at least win it.” Democrats do not want body bags full of America’s finest youth to be returned in vain. We are “Supporting Our Troops” by demanding sane management policy.

Democrats do not see how a policy of torture and abuse of POW’s is contributing to winning the war in Iraq but we can see how it is acting as a recruiting tool for al-Qaeda.

Democrats know that the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people must be won and that if we fail to do so then all the constitutional politics in the world will not bring peace to the region.

Democrats know that water, sewage, electrical service, jobs and a robust economy are keys to normalizing life in Iraq. We know that a people living a normal lifestyle are more inclined to slow down and to think seriously about their mid and long-term future.

Democrats know that the Iraqi borders must be secured.

Both Republicans and Democrats know that more boots are needed on the ground in Iraq.

So what is Bush defending? Is it his poor management of the War in Iraq? His position on that is defenseless and the record speaks for itself. He has had plenty of time to prove and demonstrate the wisdom of his leadership. He is a failed president where Iraq is concerned. The public knows it.

Yesterday we heard an Iraqi constitutional delegate complain that “the deadline for a constitution is more important to Bush than the contents of the document or the future of the Iraqi people.” That statement rings horribly true.

Mr. Bush would be better served spending five days looking for a replacement for Rumsfeld and drafting a new Iraqi policy than in trying to defend this demonstrated management failure.