War in Iraq losing Support

The war in Iraq has been in the news since March of 2003 when the fighting first began. Currently newspapers have been focusing on the loss of support. Recently the New York Times published an article regarding President Bush’s response to the decline of support. The article discusses Bush’s change in strategy to elucidate “The Grim Cost of Losing,” abandoning the approach that stressed the possible benefits of victory.
The President’s decision, which adopts the beliefs of Gen. John P. Abizaid, Vice President Dick Cheney and others, was further stressed by his prediction that a defeat in Iraq would only move the battle elsewhere. President Bush quoted Gen. Abizaid saying “If we leave, they will follow us.” The article relates Bush’s comments to those of President Lyndon Johnson, whose “domino theory” can be applied. The “domino theory” during the Vietnam War was that if South Vietnam was defeated, Communism could spread around Southeast Asia and elsewhere.
Mr. Bush has been trying to emphasize that the US should try to spread Democracy, and that in the future Iraq will be an example of the United State’s success in doing just that. Despite the change in the president’s approach his aides are sure that these efforts (of spreading Democracy and helping the troubled nation) are still the key focus, however now Mr. Bush is trying to call attention to the importance of this victory and the possibilities that could ensue if the US suffers a defeat. The change in focus also sights that the benefits of the victory may take quite a while to progress, while the repercussions of a loss would be an immediate concern.
Vice President Cheney has been a major supporter of the “domino theory.” In meetings he has pointed out that the withdrawal of American troops would only benefit the Iranians.
President Bush has made an effort to boost support, including owning up to past mistakes. Bush addressed the failures in recognizing the rise of the insurgency to focusing the early reconstruction effort on big infrastructure projects (if and when they are completed).
In the news, many parallels are being drawn between the war in Iraq and the Vietnam War. One of the comparisons being made is the number of casualties. Also one veteran compares that the cause of the Vietnam War was an effort to “free the oppressed,” a cause which is reflected in Bush’s hope to bring democracy to Iraq. Still, the comparisons linking the Vietnam War to the war in Iraq are not being ignored. There have been many criticisms of these comparisons, many of which state that the number of casualties are in completely different ranges. Still it is hard to ignore the fact that as the war continues the number of casualties is only getting higher. In October, ninety-six American soldiers have died, marking the highest death toll in the last two years. With no end in sight it is impossible to tell what the death toll will be. Since 2003, the death toll has risen to 2,809. Unfortunately the death toll will continue to rise until the war is brought to an end, and the rising casualty rate is resulting in the decline of support. While it is hard to compare the two wars because the war in Iraq is ongoing, one comparison that can be made is how the lack of support has a major effect. During the Vietnam War the lack of support resulted in the pullout of American troops. Although no such action has taken place regarding the war in Iraq, the waning support for the war in Iraq may have a similar result.