I believe it has existed in every war going back to the Revolution. It is certainly not helpful, but I think we will survive.
I wish I had your confidence. Do you have anything online I can go read to support that this has gone on (at this level, I don't mean that no one ever played politics during a time of war)? I would like to think that you're right and it's not a big deal. But it feels like a real big deal. Especially after growing up a military brat during the Vietnam war and watching what role the media and politics played in that loss.
susie