Mr. Shaman

(Don't get too overly-excited, Obama-fans. Many of us have seen this movie, before....and, your guy's got a loooooong political-career, ahead-of-him.)

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"For Democrats of a certain age, there is no figure more haunting than George McGovern, who ran for president pleading, "Come home, America," but instead was sent home himself with just 38 percent of the vote.

Among those who worry that the lessons of 1972 may still spell trouble for Democrats in 2008 is none other than … George McGovern. He is 84 now, is as opposed to the Iraq war as he was to the one in Vietnam -- and is paying close attention to the race for president.

"I'm not sure that an anti-war Democrat can win," McGovern said in an interview. "We haven't proved that yet."

"Some people point to the fact that the war in Vietnam was dreadfully unpopular," he said, "but that when I came out for an immediate withdrawal, it helped me win the nomination but not the general election. And there may be some truth about that."

But some political analysts say they believe the McGovern experience could be repeated again, as the party's presidential candidates compete to win the favor of anti-war Democrats while leaving themselves vulnerable to charges of weakness in a general election.

Among top-tier Democrats, it is Clinton's maneuvering on Iraq that has drawn the most attention -- and the most criticism -- from people on both sides who see calculation rather than principle guiding her.

In the past year, she has advocated stances she once opposed, both on a set timetable for withdrawal and in utilizing the "power of the purse" to end the war in Iraq. But last month, at a Take Back America conference of liberal activists, she offended some by treading a careful rhetorical line.

"The American military has succeeded," Clinton declared. "It is the Iraqi government that has failed."

That drew boos from the hall. Clinton's rhetoric seemed "almost calculated to draw a negative response" before the liberal audience, observed David Gergen, who has served in four presidential administrations. "That's a very confident campaign," he added."


The more things Change..........the more they look like '72......except to the History-challenged Yuppie-spawn.

prrriiide

The thing is, the current polling shows that the economy is the #1 issue on the minds of voters. That wasn't the case in '72. Then, it was all about the war. This time around there are other issues that have pushed the war off of the front page.

Also, McCain didn't help himself a bit by saying he didn't care if we were in Iraq for 100 years. I think most voters know that no matter the situation, the cost of our presence in Iraq in both monetary and human terms is not sustainable for anywhere near that long.

Obama is no fool, and he knows that McGovern got his ass handed to him because he misjudged the amount of remaining support for the Vietnam war. He won't make the same mistake. He has said that he would immediately begin a withdrawal. He hasn't said that he would get completely out. My belief is that he will push for what Americans want: an Iraqi government that takes responsibility for their own future. If starting a withdrawal finally drills it into their heads that such responsibility is a prerequisite for any remaining US forces to stay, then so be it. Right now the Iraqi government seems content to keep sucking on Uncle Sam's titty indefinitely.

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Tax & Spend > Borrow & Spend

I reject your reality and substitute my own.

Every feeling you've ever felt can be found in the works of Beethoven, Bruckner, Mahler, and Wagner.

bhkad

What makes you believe your characterization of them sucking on US tit is accurate?

The delays and foot dragging that some Iraqi legislators may be doing could be to provoke in American response such as yours. To get us the hell out so that they can play out their Islamist or partisan tribal or sectarian or corruption agenda without worry.