What senseless wars have republican presidents gotten us into in the past 60 years? Or better yet, what wars? Korea was a Democrat (Korea was a historically important location when it comes to Japan so while mismanaged I wont put it under senseless), Vietnam was a Democrat (and quite senseless), First Gulf War was a Republican, Kosovo and Bosnia were a Democrat (these 3- Iraq 1, Kos, and Bos are all debatable), Afghanistan and Iraq are Republican (Afghanistan was inevitable after 9/11, but one can def argue that Iraq was senseless). That puts the score at 1 unnecessary war by Dems, and 1 unnecessary war by Repubs. So really I think it doesnt matter who wins in november, we've got equal shots at unnecessary wars. As for wars in general, well both parties have shows a willingness to throw American troops around the world. The volunteers are out there, and imo the signing bonuses are finally starting to correct the fact that our servicemen and women are very underpaid.

As for McCain, he has not always been in lockstep with Bush. He certainly has emphasized it more since the 2004 election, but for a long time he was critical of Bush's war strategy. Also remember that he has a son coming out of the Naval Academy, and another son who is an enlisted marine (that's right, not an officer- a grunt). This isnt just an academic debate for him, and it's not someone else's kid… McCain knows the risks of war, and he knows that by continuing the war his sons will be putting themselves in danger.

McCain seems more of the same (Bush) to me, especially given that McCain has said all along that Bush's war is going well. Now in the article McCain says that the war was mismanaged. He supports and continues Bush's position- that we need to win, that we need to continue and he has offered some changes, but the premise and plan is essentially the same as bush. The only reason people listen to McCain is that he is not Bush. Forgetting that McCain has sided and praised Bush in the past about the fantasy progress in Iraq. If McCain couldn't face the truth about Iraq then, there is nothing to suggest that he will face the truth now (or at least level with the American people).

As far as his idea of increasing the troop size- where does he think he will find the volunteers? The military is already falling short of it's recruiting goals and are giving huge signing bonuses. Given the Republican's penchant for war (and for fighting senseless wars), no one in their right mind would join the military under a Republican president, much less join the military under McCain who has stated that he will keep troops in Iraq for 100 years in order to win.

Why must Americans continue to die for the next 100 years in a senseless war? If it's not a senseless war- if we're there to maintain the peace, then what peace is there when it costs so many American lives? We need to cut our losses and leave Iraq.

To be somewhat fair, there is also a small sign of hope on the political front.
http://cernigsnewshog.blogspot.com/2008/01/de-b…

But the idea of Iraq being the next South Korea is just plain crazy. We weren't invited in Iraq like the Korean peninsula. And Iran isn't North Korea.

So no, the surge hasn't worked except in fantasyland.