War backers mobilize in support of U.S. Iraq policy
Effort hasn't made much of a splash, but rallies later this month may change that
Sunday, March 09, 2003
By Karen MacPherson, Post-Gazette National Bureau
WASHINGTON -- They've marched in the streets, demonstrated on college campuses and held "teach-ins" to educate people about their cause.
But who knew?
They are the supporters of a possible U.S. war against Iraq. And their activities, so far, have been much fewer and less visible than those of their antiwar counterparts.
That may be about to change. Supporters of military action against Iraq plan a national "Rally For America" weekend March 22 and 23. Details are still being worked out, but the idea is to use the weekend as a focal point for rallies in hundreds of cities and towns to demonstrate public support for President Bush's Iraq policy.
"Our purpose is to let the American people and the world know that we support our troops, that we say 'no' to terrorism, and that we want to liberate Iraq," said Bob Johnson, a member of the board of directors for Free Republic Network, a non-profit group associated with the conservative Internet bulletin board freerepublic.com.
"It's harder to get conservatives out on the streets. The problem with conservatives is that we just want to be left alone. But we've proven in the past that, with the right message and the right means, we can get conservatives out," said Johnson, whose group is one of the main organizers of "Rally For America."
William Bennett, former education secretary, former drug czar and author of books on values, believes momentum may be building for the "pro-war" movement, largely because anti-war protesters have succeeded in capturing the public spotlight.
"I think that many who have been content to be quietly supportive are starting to say, 'Hey, what's going on? These people are starting to drown out support, so we need to raise our volume a bit,' " said Bennett, who has established a pro-war group called "Americans For Victory Over Terrorism."
"My guess is that we'll hear more and more from people who support the war."
Thomas Schwartz, a Vanderbilt University political science professor, said such a development would mirror what happened during the Vietnam War era. The massive protests against U.S. participation in the war remain most memorable, but there also were major counter demonstrations, including a violent 1970 clash in the Wall Street area in New York City between blue collar workers who supported the war and anti-war demonstrators, Schwartz said.
"There were some big demonstrations in support of the Vietnam War. But many of these events were as much in response to the anti-war demonstrations," said Schwartz, whose book, "Lyndon Johnson and Europe: In the Shadow of Vietnam," is due out in April.
Many supporters of a war against Iraq are uncomfortable with considering themselves "pro-war," believing that, as Johnson says, it makes them look like "warmongers." Instead, many prefer to say they are "pro-American troops" and "pro-America."
"We agree that war is a terrible thing. But it is not the most terrible thing," said Seth Leibsohn, executive director of Americans For Victory Over Terrorism.
Unlike anti-war protesters, many of whom have coalesced under the auspices of a large group called International Act Now to Stop War and End Racism (International ANSWER), supporters of a U.S. war against Iraq haven't gathered under an umbrella organization.
But there are a growing number of "pro-war" groups, ranging from Bennett's organization, which was established shortly after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, to Students For Protecting America, which was launched by a few Harvard Law School students just two weeks ago. Some are offshoots of conservative organizations, including Citizens United, Patriots for the Defense of America and freerepublic.com.
Still others come at the issue from a particular vantage point, such as Women For A Free Iraq, whose members fled that country's repressive regime, and MOVE-OUT! (Marines & Other Veterans Engaging Outrageous Un-American Traitors), which was founded by a Vietnam veteran determined to promote support for U.S. troops.
Pro-war groups started at colleges are sponsoring campus events and using the Internet to whip up support nationally. They include the national Students for War, United We Stand at Brandeis University and Students United For Victory at Columbia University.
Conservative talk radio hosts, particularly Glenn Beck, also have worked to promote the pro-war cause by urging people to attend rallies in several U.S. cities over the past couple of weeks. Thousands showed up for events in Cleveland, Orlando, Houston and several other cities.
An event at Point State Park scheduled for this weekend was inspired by these previous demonstrations. Amy Miller, who organized the event, stressed that it wasn't pro- anti-war but designed simply to show support for American troops.
Pro-war groups, like their anti-war counterparts, have also written countless letters to the editor and signed numerous petitions in support of their position on Iraq. Bennett's group garnered international attention with a "teach-in" in support of a war against Iraq held several weeks ago at Columbia, a center of student protest against the Vietnam War.
None of the pro-war events, however, have mustered the type of media attention as the anti-war protests in January and February, which involved millions of people. The next major anti-war protest is planned for next Saturday.
"Historically, it's been a lot more difficult to challenge the status quo. That's why the anti-war protesters are more vocal and have to resort to what some people think is an extreme message," said Cedric Johnson, a political science professor at Hobart and William Smith Colleges.
Leibsohn of Americans For Victory Against Terrorism agreed: "When you are supporting the government, you don't take to the streets too often." Yet Leibsohn added that his group believes it is vital for war supporters to become more vocal to ensure that the anti-war protesters don't take over the debate.
"Some of their objections to the war do have a tendency to create doubt in the minds of some people. And our enemies watch this and are emboldened by this," he said.
Richard Stoll, a political science professor at Rice University, said many conservatives may simply dislike the idea of marching in the streets.
"During Vietnam, the protesters were viewed by many people as scruffy and dirty. People who are willing to support the president on Iraq may be a little uncomfortable with this kind of demonstration of their support. For example, I can see Mr. Bennett addressing a crowd about this. But I don't see him marching around, carrying a sign."
Karen MacPherson can be reached at kmacpherson@nationalpress.com or 1-202-662-7075.
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