Quote:
Originally posted by bilmore
I can't see this affecting the level or longevity of fighting much at all.
Where it will matter will be the embracing, by many Iraqis who maybe weren't sold yet, of the US's role there. After the infamous bugout of GWI, (yes, yes, we'll support you, go get him!, oh, well, we gotta go now . . . ) I suspect that a postwar Iraq with a viable Saddam wandering about was not the safest-feeling place in the world to be openly advocating for democracy. Maybe this will loosen up those who were still afraid (with justification) that we'd just bug out again.
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I think that's right, except that the embrace from many Iraqis who formerly kept their heads down may well help us conclude the hostilities sooner. The Baathists use to be good at revolution -- we'll see if 30 years in power has changed that. Many people in many areas of Iraq are still keeping quiet and refraining from comment on the capture (or public celebration) due to fear of the underground. (This obviously doesn't apply much in the Shia areas.) Hopefully, that will change over the next year. I think that the capture of Hussein was critical in the hearts and minds effort.
Club: Yes, I realize that this probably enhances Bush's chances in 2004 -- and that saddens me a little bit -- but not enough to detract from the huge positives. I have to say, though, that I fear what Bush might do in domestic policy if the resources and focus of his administration are no longer consumed by "The WAr on Terror" in his second term.
S_A_M
