Reply #27: Different opinion [View All]

I agree that the Democrats had their finger in the wind on the resolution vote.

While this may have helped them in the short run (that is, the 2002) -- it really hurts the party in the long run (2004 elections).

People are only now beginning to come to the conclusion that the Iraq War was wrong and a bad idea. The Democratic Party is not trying to lead public opinion in this area, rather they are following behind public opinion. If the Democratic Party had taken a continuing and leading role as skeptics of the Iraq War, then the public opinion polls might even be a lot more anti-war now.

IMO, this is why many observers currently accuse the Democratic party of having insufficient backbone and/or leadership. (See, eg, "In the Army Now" article in the current issue of Harper's magazine, Time cover story "Where Have All The Demcrats Gone?").

Sometimes leadership means that you lead opinion polls, rather than follow them. Sometimes leadership can cause short term political damage. Sometimes leadership is an act of courage.