The Wartime Benefits of a Divided Government

After the 2006 elections, my feeling towards the loss Republicans took was singular; I trust the people of this country. In our 231 year history, the American people get it right more times than not and this time was no exception. The country did not turn hippie-liberal-pussy, instead they wanted a change of direction in the death by paper-cuts war we're fighting in Iraq. Like Vietnam, the country has turned against the strategy and lost confidence in our tactics (not our troops).

Enter the Democrat party. Campaigning on feeling and emotion, their platform finally crossed paths with the usually hard-nosed American voter who is not swayed by the warm-milk-before-bed approach today’s Democrats take to solving global conflict. But this time was different. Americans were ready to vote on emotion (arguably how they did in the 2002 elections giving Republicans control of both Houses) and swept Democrats into power across this country, not to execute their agenda, but to strengthen Bush's.

Bush now has another war to fight, this time at home over the war and a plethora of domestic issues with an opposition congress. On the other hand, he now has leverage to push the Iraqi leaders into taking responsibility for their government. As evidenced by the supplemental funding bill, the Democrat congress is hell-bent on flexing their muscle and limiting Bush's ability to act as commander-in-chief. This presents certain constitutional issues, namely congress's lack of legal authority to pursue foreign policy, but has the effect of increasing America's negotiating power with moderates in the region.

Shortly after the election, the President should have had the following conversation with Iraqi P.M. Maliki: "The country has turned, the clock is ticking, we're taking the gloves off. If things don't get better, a Democrat will occupy the Oval Office next fall with a friendly congress whose goal will not be victory, but limiting casualties and bringing the troops home."

The questions now are will the Iraqi's respond and what will victory look like. The answer to the first question has been answered. The Iraqi's have responded by going into usually restricted neighborhoods and battling the insurgents. The answer to the second will take time. If we win, victory will appear as a secure national government allied with the west who doesn't threaten its neighbors, with a politically active public keen on prosperity for their families.

10 Years from today, if we're talking about Iraq as a friend, the American people will be responsible for implementing the strategy that won the war. As Winston Churchill said: "Victory. Victory at all cost." As a conservative Republican interested in ending abortion, reducing taxes, and shrinking the federal government, I will gladly sacrifice all of the above for victory. This is America's moment, alone in the world, alone in the war, but with history on our side.