The November 7th vote will decide the Iraq strategy

On November 7th, the Americans will be holding their mid-tem elections.  The Democrats need to pick up 15 seats in the House of Representatives, or six in the Senate, to win a majority in each House.   The opinion polls suggest that the Democrats will win in the House of Representatives, and may also carry the Senate.

During the campaign, the Democrats have been moving away from their early support for the Iraq War.  Many Democratic voters want the U.S. troops to pull out of Iraq.  The Democratic candidate for the Vice Presidency in 2000, Senator Joseph Lieberman, is a strong pro-war Democrat.  He lost the Connecticut Primary to an anti-war millionaire.

Congress has established a committee under James Baker to review policy on the war.  Mr. Baker is a Bush loyalist, and was Secretary of State in the Administration of the elder Bush.  This committee seems to be moving towards partial withdrawal.  Yet in Britain Tony Blair is asserting that British troops will stay in place indefinitely.

The result of the mid-term elections will be decisive for Britain as well as the United States.  President Bush is trying to reassure American voters by showing moderation.  After the election policy will be shaped by the balance in Congress.  How will the Americans vote?

Comments

[Tucker]

As an American, allow me to say, that I and the majority of Americans, that I either know, or have spoken with, will be doing as you British have done in regards to Mr Blair. That is this message: "Don't let the door hit you on the way out"! "You bunch of war mongering Republican, lying idiots'! That's what the majority of we Americans intend to be saying at the polls, come this November, 2006.

Enough is enough already! Americans, like the rest of the world, have been lied too, hoodwinked, and hog tied. We are not going to sit back and let Bush & his cronies go any further, without a good fight, to either stop them, or block them.

We're hoping that Bush will see his last day's in office, become a Democratic nightmare.

It's time this Iraq war ends, and all the nations involved bring their guys home.

Finally, we Americans want the next incoming president to understand "ONE" thing. We want our nation to become "ISOLATIONIST"! No more defending & sticking up for other countries. We're tired of being called names by the Europeans & the Asians.

America, and Americans are not bad evil people, bent on world domination. That's not, nor ever has been the "American Dream". Living in peace, and raising our families, as you do. Is our dream.

NO MORE!!! That's it. The majority of us want to take care of our own, not someone elses.

You see, we American's are not getting over that July, 2006 "YOU GOV" Poll where 76% of you British called American's "Vulgar". That really hit below the belt.

Just remember this, American's have not called you British at anytime, "VULGAR". That's a pretty strong, nasty word to call a friend & relation who always stuck close by.

[John Charlesworth]

"The result of the mid-term elections will be decisive for Britain as well as the United States."

Then let us hope that it at least breaks the mental impass on IRAQ. With reports suggesting that Al-Qaeda is making Britain a number 1 target, then a map has to be drawn as to what our future exit strategy will be.

[Luis B. Pulido]

I, too, am an American and I also am looking forward to the day when Bush leaves office.

The USA and the world will be better off for it!!!

However, I must disagree strongly with any notion that the US should become isolationist.

NEVER should we become that!!!

In my deepest, heartfelt opinion, the absolute worst thing the US can ever do, is to turn inward, and ignore the rest of the world.

Not in this age of globalisation.

Engagement is the key to world peace and security, backed by a credible military capability AND wise and moral willingness to use it.

Today, more than ever, world peace and security equals American national security, and Bush's incompetence has endangered America and the world.

"...protect and defend the Constitution of the United States..."? That's debatable with Bush!!!

[Stephen Morgan]

The mid -term elections won't decide anything, since the US no longer has control over events. The big picture and final outcome is being shaped by historical forces beyond its sphere of influence. In fact, events in Iraq now have more influence over US domestic affairs, than the US has over Iraq.

Moreover, in both cases we have two isolated Presidents, two governments who have little public support and two countries where the majority support withdrawal of US troops. Maybe this is the success of the Bush plan to create a Western model in the Middle East?

[Carl Bayuk Jr.]

Many opinions make the claim Democrats will take over Congress. But if one goes deeper into the thoughts of American, they all will make exceptions of their individual representative. Democrats will pick up seats but no enough to put them over the top.

[Linda Tuchman]

Here in New York City I can only vote democrats back into office - both incumbants, Senator Hillary Clinton and Representative Eliot Engle are running virtually unopposed. Republicans are not spending any money here.