Lessons from Vietnam
Rick Perlstein sees lots of parallels between the 60s and today.
McGovern-Hatfield failed because of presidential intimidation, in the face of overwhelming public support. Nixon and Nixon surrogates pinioned legislators inclined to vote for it with the same old threats. A surviving document recording the talking points had them say they would be giving "aid and comfort" to an enemy seeking to "kill more Americans," and, yes, "stab our men in the back," and "must assume responsibility for all subsequent deaths" if they succeeded in "tying the president's hands through a Congressional Appropriations route."
But isn't that interesting: There wouldn't have been subsequent deaths if they had had the fortitude to stand up to the threats.
Every time congressional war critics made Congress the bulwark of opposition to a war-mongering president, they galvanized public opinion against the war.
3 comments:
Interesting post.
The problems with parallels to Vietnam is that it can be said that our final, ignomious withdrawal from Vietnam led to hundres of thousands of Vietnamese dead and a general feeling of defeat at home.
Rightfully so, many believed that failure in Vietnam was due to lack of will and bringing resources to bear as well as limited rules of engagement.
We have the same problem in Iraq - it's likely winnable but requires a whole-hearted effort.
If the Democrats precipitate a quick exit of the conflict and all hell breaks out, then we go right back to 1975 in terms of our national will and pride.
The author makes good points and draws good parallels but I think fails to consider the national consensus on Iraq. No one wants to be there but the majority doesn't want to leave without victory. If we leave without a stable Iraq - which may not be possible without a maximum effort which is not going to happen with today's politics - I see a backlash not against the "hawks"...but against the "doves" who denied a possible victory.
I could be wrong.
>.many believed that failure in Vietnam was due to lack of will and bringing resources to bear as well as limited rules of engagement.
<<
Uh, Kissinger believed this, but after the tens of thousands upon thousands of troops there, a LOT of people don't think resources was the issue. We were fighting people were fighting for their own countries - and what were we fighting for?
>> the majority doesn't want to leave (Iraq) without victory.<<
Uh. References please.
OK,
http://euphoricreality.com/2007/02/20/poll-americans-want-to-win-in-iraq/
Wish I could find a better link and when I do I'll post it.
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