"We, who are willing to support this new strategy, and give General
Petraeus the time and support he needs, have chosen a hard road. But it is
the right road. It is necessary and just. Democrats, who deny our soldiers
the means to prevent an American defeat, have chosen another road. It may
appear to be the easier course of action, but it is a much more reckless
one, and it does them no credit even if it gives them an advantage in the
next election. This is an historic choice, with ramifications for Americans
not even born yet. Let's put aside for a moment the small politics of the
day. The judgment of history should be the approval we seek, not the
temporary favor of the latest public opinion poll."
Sen. John McCain (R-Az.), speaking at the Virginia Military Institute, April 11, 2007
"We're going to pick up Senate seats as a result of this war. Senator Schumer has shown me numbers that are compelling and astounding."
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), speaking to reporters, April 12, 2007
"This war is lost."
Reid, April 19, 2007
Usually, politics is a murky business--gray upon gray, one set of
mixed motives jostling with another. But sometimes there is a time for
choosing--between courage and cynicism, between honor and disgrace.
John McCain's speech to the cadets of the Virginia Military
Institute is the best single analysis by any political figure of where we
stand in the war in Iraq. It is a serious and sober attempt to persuade the
American people that the war is winnable, that we should give Gen. Petraeus
a chance to win it, and that accepting defeat would be both ignoble and
disastrous to American interests. With this morally and intellectually
impressive speech, John McCain took leadership of the fight for victory in
Iraq.
McCain was hard on the opponents of the war here at home. He didn't
just describe troop withdrawal proposals as unwise. He derided "the fanciful
and self-interested debates about Iraq that substitute for statesmanship in
Washington." And he suggested that the Democrats had decided "to take
advantage of the public's frustration, accept defeat," and hope that "the
politics of defeat" would benefit them.
McCain continued:
"In Washington, where political calculation seems to trump
all other considerations, Democrats in Congress and their leading candidates
for President, heedless of the terrible consequences of our failure,
unanimously confirmed our new commander, and then insisted he be prevented
from taking the action he believes necessary to safeguard our country's
interests....I watched with regret as the House of Representatives voted to
deny our troops the support necessary to carry out their new mission.
Democratic leaders smiled and cheered as the last votes were counted. What
were they celebrating? Defeat? Surrender? In Iraq, only our enemies were
cheering."
Tough words--especially because, here in America, much of the
mainstream media was also cheering. McCain, a onetime media favorite when he
last ran for president, was effectively forswearing the possibility of
regaining their favor.
Meanwhile, the mainstream media paid little attention to Harry
Reid's comments quoted above. Republican criticisms of them were treated as
the normal tit-for-tat of partisan politics. Reid's cynicism wasn't thought
noteworthy, and his defeatism wasn't thought extraordinary. Apparently,
cynicism in the service of the defeat of Republicans is no vice.
Undercutting the efforts of American troops you have voted to send to fight
in a war is a virtue.
Earlier this month, the "surge" was beginning visibly to work. Al
Qaeda fought back, with massive slaughter of civilians, whose purpose was in
part to undercut support for the war against al Qaeda on the home front.
Harry Reid followed script.
Now we are at a moment of truth. There is McCain's way, a way of
difficulty and honor. There is Reid's way, a way of political expediency and
dishonor. McCain may lose the political battle at home, and the U.S. may
ultimately lose in Iraq. But some of us will always be proud, at this moment
of choice, to have stood with McCain, and our soldiers, and our country.
William Kristol is editor of THE WEEKLY STANDARD. This artilce originally appeared on the website of Time magazine.
