[leadpenny]

I think that is the crux of it. Should it have been to the country, "We're coming to get you, now those of you not involved, go shopping and carry on" or "We're at War and everyone will be asked to do something." ??

I don't have the answer, but the divided country we have now is not good.

Don't get me wrong, I am not an FDR fan, but on his approach to Pearl Harbor, I agree. The country mobilized and Americans were generally behind the war effort.

[norton]

"I don't have the answer, but the divided country we have now is not good."

I'd guess that this or any administration made up largely of 50-ish and older pols would have a real terror of having THIS divided country return to the divisions acted out in the 60's and 70's.

I expect they took a lesson (right or wrong) from LBJ's downfall & the Nixon years that followed.

[Dr. Frank fan]

Should it have been to the country, "We're coming to get you, now those of you not involved, go shopping and carry on" or "We're at War and everyone will be asked to do something." ??

But what exactly would you ask "everyone" to do? Something meaningful that actually helps wage war? (If so, what?) Or something symbolic so that this "feels more like World War 2"? (If so, why would you want it to feel more like World War 2?)