Echoes from an earlier conflict: How Congress wrestled with two presidents for control of the Vietnam War
"A generation shaped by Vietnam must remember the lessons of Vietnam. When America uses force in the world, the cause must be just, the goal must be clear, and the victory must be overwhelming." --George W. Bush, Aug. 21, 2000, speech to Veterans of Foreign Wars
To many Americans, George W. Bush's standards for making war have changed dramatically since he first campaigned for the White House. Clearly, he believes the Iraq conflict is just, but most people are by no means convinced the goal is clear or that victory is assured, much less that it will be overwhelming.
As Bush knows, these are some of the same objections that the public expressed about Vietnam three decades ago. And the echoes of that faraway conflict got even stronger last week in the most serious confrontation between the commander in chief and Congress in a generation.
Read entire article at Kenneth T. Walsh, U.S. News & World Report
To many Americans, George W. Bush's standards for making war have changed dramatically since he first campaigned for the White House. Clearly, he believes the Iraq conflict is just, but most people are by no means convinced the goal is clear or that victory is assured, much less that it will be overwhelming.
As Bush knows, these are some of the same objections that the public expressed about Vietnam three decades ago. And the echoes of that faraway conflict got even stronger last week in the most serious confrontation between the commander in chief and Congress in a generation.