Political Battle Lines Drawn Over Iraq

To the rescue fighting terrorists?

Iraq could very well become the defining issue in the November presidential race.





There's no question that both Democratic presidential candidates favor an as early as possible withdrawal.





Republican John McCain is offering what many believe to be a more frustrating ... others a pragmatic ... approach. And he's betting that highlighting that contrast will propel him into the Oval Office.





McCain is basically saying today that a vote for Hillary Clinton, should she become the Democratic nominee, would be a vote for al Qaeda. Saying that her withdrawal plan would be a victory for the terrorists.





Of course it's interesting to see how this has all evolved on this, the eve of the 5th year anniversary of the start of the war.





We were told that the invasion was a search for weapons of mass destruction (never found). It may have been implied. But it was never explicitly claimed that Iraq had anything to do with 9/11.





Now, a withdrawal from Iraq, according to McCain, would be a victory for those who were responsible for the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon.





Was the removal of Saddam Hussein, then, also a victory for al Qaeda, which, previous to the invasion not a factor in Iraq?





The current president suggests that if we weren't fighting al Qaeda in Iraq we'd be fighting them on the streets of the United States. Actually, it's doubtful that that these pawns in the war with the west who are blowing up Humvees and marketplaces are the high level planners of attacks such as 9/11. Like all good (cowardly?) generals, those who plan such attacks stay way behind enemy lines. In caves or in buildings like the Pentagon (seems the Pentagon is more vulnerable than the caves ... note to the generals - you may want to locate to Carlsbad Caverns).





I guess McCain fears if we withdraw our troops all those al Qaeda fighters will swarm suddenly over New York City or Washington DC.





McCain is banking that by showing he's strong on terrorism Americans, fearful of another attack, will vote for him. That may be, but the basic premise of his argument is, as Mr. Spock might say, "illogical captain).