Burying Iraq as an Issue

At the Republican Convention, the public desire that dominated the elections two years ago–to get out of Iraq–will be low on the agenda, buried under John McCain’s rhetoric about “victory” with “honor.”

But as a New York Times editorial points out, McCain is alone in trying to sell that grotesque claim:

“Iraq’s leaders are pushing a timetable that would have American troops out in 2011.

“Even President Bush–who had long scorned the notion of a withdrawal deadline as defeatist–looks set to go along…

“That leaves Mr. McCain as the stubborn man out.

“While the war is no longer front-page news, thousands of Americans are still fighting and dying there. The war is costing American taxpayers $10 billion a month–that is $10 billion that cannot be spent on health care, education and many other urgent priorities.

“Mr. McCain told veterans on Aug. 11 that he would end the war, but intended to ‘win it first’ and assured them that ‘victory in Iraq is finally in sight.’

“He needs to explain what he means by victory…

More HERE.