The Politics of War
By Kevin Fobbs
April 12, 2004

Whatever happened to the phrase "Politics stops at the water's edge?" That used to be more than just a phrase but an unwritten U.S. policy when our troops are deployed overseas in hostile territory."

Senator Ted Kennedy gave a speech at the Brookings Institution this week wherein he said: "As a result, this President has now created the largest credibility gap since Richard Nixon. He has broken the basic bond of trust with the American people." And this gem - "He's the problem, not the solution. Iraq is George Bush's Vietnam, and this country needs a new President."

The presumptive nominee for president calls Iraq "a mess." Ex-president Carter said Thursday, "President Bush's war was ill-advised and unnecessary and based on erroneous statements, and has turned out to be a tragedy,"

Just two days after Senator Kennedy's comments, this statement was released by Shiite terrorist leader Muqtada al-Sadr - "Iraq will be another Vietnam for America and the occupiers," al-Sadr continued, "I call upon the American people to stand beside their brethren, the Iraqi people, who are suffering an injustice by your rulers and the occupying army, to help them in the transfer of power to honest Iraqis."

Isn't it nice to know that comments made by senior Democrats in this country are being picked up and used by our enemies? That instead of showing a united front in confronting terrorists who will do anything to stop the progress of democracy in Iraq and around the world, we show ex-presidents and wanna be presidents excoriating our foreign policy for all to see and mock?

Shame on Senator Kennedy and shame on Senator Kerry who has refused to distance himself from the statements of one of his chief surrogates and his partner in the Senate from Massachusetts.

Critics of the war in Iraq frequently espouse their support of the troops, while disagreeing with the Administration policies. They figure that covers them in their criticisms. Well, it doesn't. It doesn't help our soldiers who are on the front lines in Iraq, sure of the knowledge that their cause is just and their mission righteous. They should never have to hear through channels that there are leaders in this country who question the mission, the cause and the amazing results achieved in large parts of that country.

Any day a soldier dies serving his country is a bad day. We all mourn the loss of our bravest and brightest and appreciate their sacrifices. But harm is being done to our military and their families when their actions are criticized by their own leaders. And make no mistake, you criticize the mission, you are criticizing the soldiers.

In our technological global world, you criticize the mission, instantly the enemy can use your words against us and embolden their brethren to fight harder. They can falsely assume that we are weak, and will bolt when challenged and attacked. The attack on the U.S. civilians in Fallujeh last week was reminiscent of the horrific attack on our troops in Somalia. They are using every trick in the book to scare us off, force a retreat, deny democracy to Iraq. They've yet to realize that there not dealing with the same president or the same ideology that was responsible for previous withdrawals and the lack of will to use military force to combat terrorists.

It's a different time and a different war than this country has ever faced. It will take time, determination and resolve to rid the world of terrorists. Our current president understands this. He will not buckle under criticism from home or terrorist tactics abroad.

As a policy organization, NuPac welcomes debate on the serious domestic issues facing this country. Even Homeland Security issues facing the country are fair game for debate between our two parties.

What should not be up for debate in any year, and even more so in an election year is partisan politics so hateful and distorting that we continue to give aid and comfort to the enemies of the United States who seek to do nothing but kill us and kill democracy wherever they see it blossoming.

It is imperative that we, as a nation, continue to make this country safe, encourage democracy in the Middle East, encourage peace between the Palestinians and Israel and continue to repel the terrorist network worldwide. This is no time for partisan politics. This is the time to secure our nation against further attacks and to continue the Bush Doctrine of pre-emption against those states that give safe harbor to terrorists or that threatens us directly.

For those who criticize the Administration's actions in Iraq, remember nobody thought on September 10, 2001 that Osama bin Laden was an "imminent" threat against this country. If you wait until the threat is imminent, it's already too late. The threats to our country have to be met head on, while they gather, before their diabolical plans can be executed.

America is the best country in the world as is its democracy, freedom and liberty. We embrace our freedom of speech and the freedom to disagree on how best to solve the issues of the day. Honest and open debate is one of our greatest gifts.

However, we also happen to believe that it's time to return to the policy of stopping politics at the water's edge and keep the debate on our shores, about our domestic priorities - the economy, health care, welfare reform, jobs and other stressing issues facing our citizenry as we continue to recover from 9-11.

We should let the finest military in the world continue the fight overseas, safe in the knowledge that their country is firmly behind not only them, but their mission as well. It's the very least we can do for them as they deserve so much more than we can every repay or properly articulate.

God Bless America and Our Troops.

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Note -- The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions, views, and/or philosophy of GOPUSA.