Bloggers on Iraq: An IM Chat

Nick Gillespie debates Ed Morrissey and Judd Legum about Iraq and the 2006 election in an Associated Press IM chat.

November 7, 2006

(Page 3 of 7)

Nick Gillespie: and it leaves any number of potential allies without a rooting interest.

Judd Legum: It is more harmful. For two reasons: 1. our indefinite presence de-incentives the Iraqis for taking control themselves and 2. we are targets

Judd Legum: I wouldn't say the "elected Iraqi government" wants us to stay. Many of them have said we should leave

Judd Legum: and the people of Iraq overwhelmingly want us to set a timeline for withdrawal

Edward Morrissey: Nick, what's your criterion for a truly int'l effort?

Edward Morrissey: Because we have had a number of countries involved in this effort.

Nick Gillespie: i think the first gulf war was unjustified -- or rather, the u.s. presence there was unjustified -- but the coalition that bush the elder put together was truly international, including even a number of neighboring countries.

Nick Gillespie: ed, the "coalition" this time around is a joke. it's the u.s. and, to some degree, the u.k. and that's it.

Edward Morrissey: Australia, South Korea, Italy, Poland, and Japan (in a support role) ... all had significant troops in Iraq.

Nick Gillespie: we're talking troops in the hundreds, ed. come on.

Edward Morrissey: Australia had thousands of troops there. Italy had thousands of troops there!

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asap: It seems like Republicans are going to ride the war on terror for the next few days, while Democrats will make sure to use the word "Iraq." Is the war in Iraq part of the war on terror?

Judd Legum: It wasn't until we invaded Iraq.