Reply #45: Great question.

[Clarkie1]

My intent was not to start an argument; it was to keep the focus of discussions here on DU grounded in reality as much as possible. The reality being that most Americans do not support the immediate, unconditional withdrawl that many here on DU are beginning to use as a kind of litmus test. Which is silly, because as you point out we are of course not the ones setting the policy. Every Democrat critical of "staying the course" is putting pressure on the Administration to change course somehow, and that is what is most important.

My opening post was particularly directed toward that segment of DU which does seem intent on dividing the Democratic Party by disowning any Democrat who does not support either:

a. A fixed, speedy timetable for withdraw independent of events on the ground in Iraq, or

b. Immediate withdraw

Again, my intent was not to start an argument, but to open some minds to the possibility that ALL Democrats have something better to offer the American people.