A new policy on Iraq

Let us assume that the commission makes recommendations that, in one way or another, entail continued American military involvement in the Middle East. The relatively hawkish wing of the Democratic Party (represented by Sens. Hillary Clinton and Joseph Biden) might well be inclined to go along with such a policy -- perhaps with modifications of their own. But, as recent events have shown, there is a vociferous segment of the Democratic Party that is much closer to demanding total American military withdrawal. In the Democratic senatorial primary in Connecticut in August, that segment soundly defeated Sen. Joseph Lieberman (whom it regarded as far too much of a hawk) and replaced him with pull-out enthusiast Ted Lamont.

It is by no means impossible that Clinton (say) might be challenged in the Democratic primaries by someone -- Al Gore perhaps? -- willing to be the champion of the George Soroses and the left-wing bloggers. And the result might well be the 2008 Connecticut primary all over again: a triumph for the leftists. But don't forget that Lamont was thereupon trounced by hawkish Lieberman (running as an independent) in the November election. If Connecticut reflects the rest of the country, the Democratic left may be strong enough to win primaries, but not the ensuing election.