The debate that den Beste has attempted to initiate with Saletan is interesting, though dB is obviously wrong. No surprise there.
First, Scowcroft, best I can recall, did not argue that the war was only winnable with international support. He argued that the outcomes would prove unacceptable without international support--chaos in Iraq, instability in other ME countries, etc. Others have argued the same. In fact, given US military superiority, anyone would be foolish to argue the position that dB attributes to Sc. And Sc is definitely not foolish.
So, in this instance, dB is arguing against a straw person.
On his domestic argument, the polls do support his position, though that support is declining as Republican opposition gathers voice. More important, however, is the very strong possibility, as I've argued repeatedly, that the support, whatever the levels, is very thin and will essentially collapse with the first or second very bad moment. I use the returning body bags as a metaphor for that.
If Bush lacks firm bipartisan support for an invasion of Iraq, all hell breaks loose in domestic politics at that point. |
