The “mission accomplished” meme is a leftist talking point.
It was bad optics, but at the time, that banner was on an aircraft carrier that had been deployed longer than any other nuclear carrier ever had been.
Yes, I remember the “mission accomplished” banner as being on an aircraft carrier. But I don’t understand why you see the mention of it as a leftist talking point.
In his speech there, Bush II told the country that major combat operations in Iraq were over. Saddam was deposed. He was specific. So it’s fair to conclude that the banner was connected to the war itself.
Yet, you might have a point. Some sources say the banner was the idea of the ship’s crew, and referred to the ship. But others say the idea came directly from the White House, and referred to the war. Lots of contradictory info there.
Bad optics regardless, as you noted.