More of the same

So today the Democrat hopefuls debated each other for the first of what will seem like a never-ending campaign. From what we are hearing, it will be business as usual for the political parties. The seeming platform for the Democrats will be how much do they hate Bush and for how long. Once again, long on rhetoric and very short on substance.

While our President has made some serious mistakes in his Iraq policy, I would remind us all that the country was in favor of the initiation of the war by overwhelming numbers. It's easy to beat down the overwhelmed Iraqi army of Saddam Hussein, but much more difficult to actually win the war. As discussed before, part of the problem is the ease with which the US Army defeated their foe militarily. It led to difficulties switching to winning the peace.

This is not helped by the US public's inability to focus (aided very strongly by our media!!!) on the original problem when things start to get difficult. If you listen to those in the military, they will tell you that an immediate troop withdrawl, while popular (a key component to any Democratic plan) would defeat the whole purpose of being there in the first place. We have a history of following this path. The public sentiment was strongly against US involvement in WWII until we were attacked by Japan. Then when the war in the Pacific was dragging out and costing a great deal in resources, both human and material, the public sentiment began to turn against the war. Thank goodness the administration saw the battle through and wasn't swayed (ala Clinton) by the latest public opinion poll.

I feel we need to stay the course until it's done. We do need to prod the Iraqis, but it would also help if the press would pay attention to some of the positives as mentioned by General Petreaus, commander of forces in Iraq. The Iraq public is beginning to work and play again. Things are starting to happen. All we ever hear about is the daily death toll. Tragic yes, but not the whole story.

I long for a candidate with some positive positions. Someone who will tell us why to vote FOR them that isn't just a bunch of reasons as to why to vote AGAINST their opponent. Someone intelligent enough to lay out a plan, even if it isn't wildly popular, that is progressive and right. Please, someone be that person and run for President, because right now the Democrats are trotting out the same old tired group of liberal, middle-aged, hippie, morons and I'm sure the Republican debate will give us more of the same from the right.

Thoughts anyone?