Iraq is a problem for the Democrats

As we pass the fifth anniversay of the invasion of Iraq, the Democrats have certainly tried to make political hay out of the situation. They certainly benefitted from the issue in 2006 when they took control of both the House and the Senate, but they will have a problem taking back the White House over this issue. There are really three problems the Democrats face. First off, since the surge went into effect, which John McCain pushed for and supported, the situation in Iraq has greatly improved. Voters who recognize the fact that the war was poorly managed from the get go, namely not enough troops on the ground and that we could easily hand off power to the Iraqis, will tend to support the continued success in Iraq and its main driving force, John McCain. Second, since 2005, the Democrats have been boxed into this "narrative of defeat" offering only withdrawal as a solution to the problem without fully appreciating what the long-term implications for US foreign policy will be in the region and the world. Being anti-war is all well and good as long as there is an accompanying strategy that goes with it. Unfortunately for the Democrats, after withdrawal, then what? Withdrawing is not a defensible position. Finally, since the Democrats support the anti-war position, their candidates appear soft. The track record of presidential candidates who were doves, i.e., Humphrey, McGovern, Carter, etc. are not good. While many Americans do not support the current administration, they do support protecting our interests and suppoting our troops. So when the Democrats speak of John McCain wanting to stay in Iraq for 100 years, it's a bit disingenuous. Why? Maintaining a presence is completely different from waging war. McCain rightly points out that 60 years after the defeat of the Axis Powers in WW II, the US still has a presence in Germany, Japan, and South Korea (Korean War). If our presence protects our national interests and saves lives both at home and abroad, then we are fully justified in staying in Iraq for at least 100 years. Each passing day makes the Democrats position on the issue less and less plausible and they may pay for it at the ballot box in November.