The Number One Issue Presidential Politics

Assuming there isn’t a recession next year (UBS rates the chances at 20%), and assuming we aren’t at war with Iran (recent articles in The Australian and Time suggest the chances are better than 20%), the number one issue in 2008 will be the War in Iraq.

Despite the thumping given the GOP in 2006, the margins in the Senate and the margins in the polls watched by our representatives are not yet sufficient for Congress to end the war. This may in part explain the low public approval of Congress. That could change, of course, but so far the numbers aren’t there. Maybe some blockbuster hearings in Congress will change things. Hardly anyone believes the war will be over by 2008.

All the Democratic presidential candidates want to wind down the war and reduce our troop levels, though they differ on how fast and how thoroughly they would do so. All the GOP candidates, with the exception of Ron Paul, are lining up behind President Bush and his surge. Given recent polls and trend lines, this will be a huge negative for the GOP.

So I ask three questions. How will this play out in the West? Which candidate would best lead the ticket in the West? Which candidate, if elected, would best lead the country out of Iraq?

Leo Brown | August 26, 2007 | Comment on This Post (0 so far) Permalink: The Number One Issue Presidential Politics

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