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Operation Iraqi
Operation Iraqi Liberation (OIL) - David Rovics
The 2006 Midterm Election: Iraq by Michael Camarinos
While there are many issues of great value facing voters in the 2006 midterm election season, one stands out as the most important for the future of America. The War in Iraq has been a long and contentious conflict that will ultimately decide many close congressional and senatorial elections because public opinion has shifted to a negative sentiment over the course of the last two years.
On March 19, 2003, the United States of America began Operation Iraqi Freedom, or the War in Iraq, to rid Saddam Hussein of weapons of mass destruction and protect the homeland." The preemptive war strategy that the Bush administration and republicans on Capitol Hill supported was based on evidence that they believed left no doubt as to the necessity for entering and occupying Iraq. Moreover, republicans were able to use their strength in garnering public support for the war not only by arguing the evidence in supporting preemptive action, but also by appealing to the positive public sentiment that they received after September 11, 2001, in their handling of homeland security issues. Three and a half years later, the United States of America has spent well over three hundred billion dollars to wage this war and has lost over three thousand troops in the line of duty. Furthermore, the evidence that the United States thought was a slam dunk" in 2003, was later proved to be faulty. For these reasons, one can conclude that the United States went to war on a false premise.
Moreover, citizens of the United States have increasingly realized that the foundation of the War in Iraq is faulty. Since the last election, the general sentiment toward the War has shifted, making the results of the upcoming election extremely significant for the future of this issue. These claims are substantiated by several CBS News/New York Times polls taken between 2003 and 2006. For example, when asked, Do you think the United States did the right thing in taking military action against Iraq" only 31% disagreed in December 2003 while 51% disagreed in September 2006. Furthermore, Americans also increasingly disagree with the Bush Administration's handling of the War. When asked, Do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling the situation with Iraq?" only 23% disapproved of his handling in December 2003, while 59% disapproved in September 2006. These polls are indicative of a trend toward a more general disapproval of republican handling of the War since the last election, and thus has important implications for incumbents seeking reelection. This is crucial because it has the possibility to shift the balance of supporters and opposers of the War in both the Congress and the Senate, which would subsequently affect future policy decisions in the new term.
Additionally, there is a growing amount of voters who are supporting candidates who are very critical of those incumbents in support of the War. For example, Joe Lieberman was defeated in Connecticut's Democratic Senatorial Primary by Ned Lamont, an anti-war candidate, by simply campaigning on the War and appealing to the negative public sentiment. In other close races throughout the country, especially in swing states, the War is the defining issue for reasons such as the economic and human losses incurred and has the potential to give some democrats a real advantage in appealing to voters' negative feelings toward incumbent supporters of the War.
Another important reason for the War in Iraq's prominence this midterm election is that republicans, realizing that polls show that the issue is on the top of voters minds, are making an appeal to sell the issue as part of their homeland security package to protect Americans. While one may or may not agree with the War's outcome on homeland security and ability to protect Americans, it is clear that many republicans will not skirt the issue, fearing that it may cost them their seat in the Congress or Senate. Therefore, they are willing to elevate Iraq above other issues, like healthcare, because they do not want to let the democrats take control of the issue without being able to defend themselves.
The controversial and preemptive measures taken by the republican president and republican legislators on the War in Iraq have turned public opinion against their actions and yielded the most important issue of the midterm elections. With billions of dollars spent and even more appropriated for the next year, Americans want to know when we will end this conflict and return our troops home without seeing anymore die for this cause. The answer to when and how may begin to be answered as the midterm election cycle heats up and culminates with newly elected candidates taking their positions on the Iraq War with them to Congress and voting with the public sentiment.
Article Source: http://www.earticlesonline.com/Article/The-2006-Midterm-Election---Iraq/66874
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Frequently Asked Questions...
i served in operation Iraqi freedom but not in iraq am i a iraqi veteran?
I served in kuwait for operation iraqi freedom does that make me an Iraqi veteran
Answer:
You served in SUPPORT of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
You are a Global War On Terror Vet.
I have been in Iraq and Afghanistan and my year in Kuwait was the worst tour I have done.

























































































