The closer the mid-term elections get, the less responsible the debate over Iraq is likely to become. Inversely, post-election political dynamics will favor arguments and options more grounded in reality than rhetoric. The national debate over the way forward in Iraq will become much more consequential the evening the votes are counted. Regardless of which party finds itself in control of Congress on Nov. 8, the new political constellation will favor a reduction in partisanship and some unusual political bedfellows. If the Republicans retain control of Congress, they will give increasingly less fealty to a lame-duck White House. Regardless of the Bush administration's wishes, Republican leaders will move quickly to improve the situation in Iraq in time for the 2008 election cycle. While Republicans are wedded to "stay the course" until election day, that slogan will become politically poisonous on Nov. 8. Having dodged the political bullet in 2006, they will stand little chance of doing the same in 2008 if the situation in Iraq fails to improve markedly.
Post-Election Politics Will Favor Meaningful Debate on Iraq
