Should I be happy McCain is pushing for more troops?

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

I mean, seriously, isn't this going to be total political suicide in a year and a half? Won't this annihilate his Presidential run? :shrug:

[lancdem]

1. It very well might

He does seem to be seriously losing it. And his insistence that the reelection of Lieberman is a sign the public doesn't want to start withdrawal is ludicrous.

[Bicoastal]

2. I find it hard to be happy about anything Iraq-related anymore....

Sure, it'll be nice seeing McCain--and possibly Guliani--fall flat on his face as a result of his support of Bush's surge. It's been a not-altogether experience watching Bush himself grow unpopular with all but the most diehard kool-aid drinkers and ignorant talking heads in his "base".

But their failures have already cost us the lives of 3,000 US soldiers, thousands of Iraqi civilians, and the blood of untold numbers of wounded. For that reason, I see very little in Iraq to rejoice over, even if it does give us a better shot at the White House in 2008.

I'll be totally honest, ever since I was a little boy, I was a huge fan of presidential trivia--nicknames, birth places, occupations, etc. But lately, and perhaps for the first time ever, I find I've lost all interest in learning anything new about our highest office. In fact, I could care less about vital stats these days, not just #43, but all the rest of 'em. I'm THAT depressed about the whole thing.

[Larry in KC]

3. I've been hoping that's the silver lining in this cloud

My theory is still that back when McCain advocated it first, he thought it unlikely that it would happen, and he'd be able to be seen as the pragmatist who wasn't listened to as his presidential run went on and Iraq continued to slide down the tubes. Now it's a plan well identified with him that will continue that slide. Bad for everyone, that slide, but something that stalls McCain's presidential bid may not be ALL bad, after all.

[wryter2000]

4. As long as McCain pushing for it doesn't result in more troops sent, yes.

If no more lives get risked because of McCain's stance but his chances of getting elected are hurt, that's win/win to me.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

5. I don't think he has any real force to do anything.

So I don't think that's a real worry.