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I don't think the "Vietnam" comparison is really one of methods and strategy . . . it's one of underlying policy. Where Iraq and Vietnam are most similar is the tenuous rationale for getting involved in the first place. The lack of immediate threat, as it becomes more clear in retrospect, is a recipe for waning public support. This is why comparisons between Afghanistan and Vietnam are silly, while comparisons betwee Iraq and Vietnam are at least arguable.

I am really only talking about our getting involved in a conflict and then pulling our punches as public approval appears to be waning. It's self-fulfilling prophesy, the more the press goes on and on news of the president's detractor's opinions. Then when the whole reaches critical mass the public begins to voice their concerns via the plethora of polls that are reported with the same vigor as hard news. Then the detractors site these polls as evidence that they are correct in their criticism. Today's poll is how a majority of Americans no longer feel the war is worth what it's costing and this will just fuel those who are on the air, and in the press, day and night giving aid and comfort to the enemy by assuring them that we are a divided nation and that if they make the cost high enough they can force us to pull out and leave the country to them. What happened after that in Vietnam is a matter of record and NO ONE disputes it was exactly what those who supported the war had said would happen. It's not bad enough that their never-ending harping on how wrong the war is encourages the enemy to fight harder, but then when MILLIONS die they say nothing and act like it never happened. I was in the news business throughout the Vietnam war and I'm telling you this is deja vue all over again! If the opposition can slow us down enough the public will soon tire of supporting it and support will wane with the same outcome as Vietnam. God (and I mean that in the most respectful and prayerful way) I hope I am wrong on all counts. We'll just have to wait see. When I was a the chance to say "I told you so" was reward enough. Now I realize how being able to say that embodies the worst of both worlds.