Reply #10: You raise good points. The average voting American isn't NEARLY [View All]

[TwilightGardener]

as anti-war as DU--had the war gone well, the occupation ended and the handover to Iraqis fairly smooth, most Americans would have never thought the war was immoral or wrong. The awful execution and prolonged occupation soured folks much more than any sense that we shouldn't have gone there at all (the accepted position on DU). Therefore, deriding or marginalizing a candidate such as Hillary or Edwards for not being "pure" enough on the war is sheer idiocy. Yes, one might question their judgment, but we weren't there in the Senate to know what forces and pressures were brought to bear on them, and much of the nation was spoiling for a fight with Saddam anyway, in its confusing 9/11 with Iraq. The country is nervous about our security, about Iran, about getting out of Iraq without making the situation worse--forcing our candidates to yield to pressure from the more pacifist segment of the party will only help Republicans in the general election, who will run on a campaign of GOP=safety, Dems=Annihilation. People are still fearful sheep, and fear is a powerful motivator.