DEM CONTENDERS ON IRAQ - WIGGLE, WIGGLE

Here's a summary of the current positions of the leading Democratic contenders/pretenders in 2004 on the critical issue of military action to topple Saddam Hussein.

Gore: On the one hand, he has a reliable interventionist record - he split with his party and voted in favor of the Gulf War and was one of the strongest advocates for agressive action in Bosnia and Kosovo. You have to believe he knows all there is to know about the risks of proliferation. On the other hand, his foreign policy team in 2000 contained many of the same Clintonites that were responsible for the staggering failings of the past administration. Will the "real" Al Gore take on Sandy Berger or not?

Gephardt: Strongly Pro-War. Whether this is out of deep convinction or political calculations I'm not sure. What I do know is that the man has no eyebrows.

Kerry: No one has taken a firmer position on the right of Congress to criticize the Administration's foreign policy during the War on Terror. It's not exactly clear what he wants to do with that right, however and he's not said anything coherent on Iraq so far. Kerry's admirers loves that he has that military background. Of course, so does Colin Powell and the grousing leakers who oppose action in the Pentagon. The most telling fact is still that he voted against the Gulf War, which he hasn't exactly apologized for. He's also a big fan of U.S. engagement (appeasement of the Arabs) in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The great DovDem hope.

Edwards: His major criticism of the Bushies has been on insufficient commitment to nation-building in Afghanistan. If he stays consistent on Iraq, that would mean favoring an attack, but coupling it with more serious follow-through. Hard to get a read on his foreign policy in general.

Lieberman: Strongly in favor of an attack - but you knew that already.

Dean: He's a economic liberal who's against gun control - not sure however how that plays out on Iraq.

Daschle: In favor of "talking about doing something." To be honest, the Dems would be much better off if Tom stuck to keeping the Dem majority in the Senate, and stopped trying to appear "presidential." The best guess is that he'll wait until the last minute to decide what stand to take on Iraq.


For liberal hawks, this is not exactly an encouraging picture. Who's up for a draft McCain campaign?