Fordized

The always astute Juan Cole raises something I have been thinking about lately. What happens if Dems win the election, withdraw, then immediately watch Iraq fall apart. Given the limited mental capacity and interest of the vast majority of Americans, are Dems going to just adopt a millstone briefly that allows the Republicans to sanitize their role and reembark on another 30 years of assendency/fucking up America?

Everyone who knows me knows how skeptical I am of democracy and the wisdom of the masses in the (dis)information age. Plus, I generally think liberals are too good hearted to win a street fight (not necessarily a bad thing on an interpersonal level, but collectively devistating). So can the Dems avoid the trap being left?

I think if Iraq is anything more than a collective bad dream in 4 years the Dems are screwed. The challenge of transnational terrorism will still be there making security a salient issue for voters, and the Republican candidate will make sure to tie our hopes and fears to the bedlam in Baghdad that broke out on Dems watch.

That means a strong domestic agenda plus a single non kinetic international initiative (think a shiney bow to distract the voters) will be vital to whoever is the President if they hope for two terms.

Also, it's the economy stupid! As Cole notes inflation plus fear of the crazy guys with towels coming to get us is a losing recipe. Since the latter will be a near certainty, the former really must be avoided.