Teething

Based on excerpts of an editorial in an upcoming issue of "The Nation", in Howard Kurtz's column today, it looks like someone on the left is growing a set of teeth.

Unfortunately, it looks to me like the same kind of black-and-white thinking that got us into the mess in the first place.

The Nation therefore takes the following stand: We will not support any candidate for national office who does not make a speedy end to the war in Iraq a major issue of his or her campaign. We urge all voters to join us in adopting this position. Many worry that the aftermath of withdrawal will be ugly, and there is good reason to think they are right. But we can now see that the consequences of staying will be uglier still. Fear of facing the consequences of prolonging the war will be worse.

It shouldn't be a question of prolonging the war, or setting a timeline. It should be about setting realistic standards and "mile posts" that, as they are achieved, the U.S. can begin the process of extracting itself.

This isn't a hard concept, so why is it so hard for either our Republican Administration or our Democratic Leadership to articulate it? As far as popularity, what does Bush have to lose? And while it might not be in keeping with the preferred bitch-and-moan opposition the Democrats have taken the past 5 years, they might find that by taking a leadership role on an issue they might actually start to gain voters, instead of simply waiting for Republican defection.