Iraq Should Not Be About Politics

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I have a brother in the Army, currently serving in Baghdad. When I talked to him last month he was frustrated with the politicizing of the war. He felt that most politicians were acting for their politics rather than for the good of America.

After the NY Times piece, "A War We Just Might Win," Democrats in Congress (Chuck Schumer & Co.) essentially said it was a lie. Their determination to lose the war and accept only bad news is unbelievable. One Democrat (Clyburn) stated, incredibly, that good news in Iraq was essentially bad news for Democrats. No Congressman should make that statement, no matter what their politics.

Thankfully, Romney has the right idea. From an interview in NH today:

Charlie Sherman: "All right Governor, let's start right off because you responded to some comments that were made by Congressman Clyburn - his recent comments that said that good news in Iraq was trouble for Democrats. Your response to that?"

Governor Romney: "Well, you know, it's got to be good news for all Americans if Iraq is going better and I was shocked by his comments. Clearly, this is something that all Americans need to come together on. I remember something Senator Vandenberg said a long time ago, he said, 'Politics stops at the water's edge.' Meaning you don't make politics out of foreign policy, particularly when men and women are taking bullets in Iraq for America. You don't go out there and say, 'Oh, this is bad news for Democrats if Iraq is going well.' So, this is a time for us to come together behind our troops. We may have differences about our views, about how to go forward, but when the troops are in harm's way, let's come together at home and support them."

And yesterday from Virginia:

"We don't just need a surge on the ground in Iraq - we need a surge of support for our troops as well. Democrats say they support the troops, but many don't support the work they are doing to make the surge successful. Representative Clyburn, the third-highest ranking House Democrat, said it would be a 'real big problem' for Democrats if progress is made in Iraq. That's not a problem but good news for all Americans."

Romney is right. Politics need to stop at the water's edge, regardless of who's policy is currently more credible or popular. All Americans are in this together and politicizing a war as many have done only hurts our nation. Clyburn's statement clearly demonstrates that the Democrats now feel literally invested in losing this war. Some of them consider American victory a personal/party loss, so they are intent on ensuring our defeat.