[HitmanLV]

I understand, and also agree with you. The thing is that I really feel that an unpopular war just can't be waged for long. The public has lost confidence in this battle and the leadership.

Ultimately, it's incumbent on our side to convince people we are right and lead accordingly. When a majority thinks we are wrong, it's a dangerous endeavor to continue ahead as if they think we are right.

I'm speaking mostly as a practical matter, which tends to be what I care most about. If we lose the debate, we shouldn't spite the electorate. That hampers our ability to lead on a variety of other issues, as Dubya has found out.

[Joe 6-pack]

In principle, I agree with you for the most part. But consider this: If one truly believes that the war in which we are currently engaged (and I don't just mean Iraq, but the larger GWOT) is a war for our national survival, if not the survival of our civilization, there really can be no choice but to press it, regardless of it's unpopularity. I guess the question is, "is it right to continue to do what must be done to save the nation, even if the nation opposes the very course of action most likely to save it?" It's really quite similar to the dilemma that Lincoln faced...