This writer like so many on the left are trying to spin the results of the 06 election into a mandate on the war. There were three issues taht drove the 06 election. The war, is actually two, and included those who opposed it in principle and those who opposed how it was being waged. There is also the outrage of the fiscal conservatives who were frustrated by the excesses of the republicans. Lastly the perception, correct as it may be, that the repubs have been incompetent. Failed ss reform, a goofy immigration plan, Harriet Myers, Scooter Libby and a slough of other dumb things contributed to this perception. Of the three the war had the least effect on the election. Those who oppose the war out of principle had never been and would never be supporters of the republican party. It was the republicans who were agitated about poor war execution, spending excesses and percieved incompetence that drove the 06 election. Stepping it up in Iraq and holding firm on spending will likely be enough to change the tide in 08.